The Texas Fastpitch League
The Texas Fastpitch League (TFL) was the first regional youth fastpitch created as leaders in Texas got together in April to build a competitive and united event system for their teams in response to the global pandemic. The initial purpose of the TFL was to limit travel so athletes, coaches, and families could attend competitive events within driving distance.
Conversations about the TFL began with Scott Smith (Bombers Fastpitch) and Kevin Shelton (Texas Glory), two of the largest organizations in both Texas and nationally. The two discussed creating a platform that was competitive and one that created a level playing field so all teams could play themselves into the level they earned. A culminating Championship event in Texas helped create the pathway so that existing events from various sanctioning bodies could be utilized for teams to earn points that seeded them into the Texas League Championship.
In a summer where many states weren't open or tournaments were being cancelled, the TFL produced over 700 league games and featured over 200 league teams in its augural Summer Season. This model showed there was a need regionally and nationally. Over 100 teams attended the inaugural Summer Championship with the Texas Bombers Gold Malpass winning 14U, Texas Bombers Gold Burgess/Smith winning 16U, and Hotshots Fastpitch Premier Dumezich winning the 18U division.
The success of the TFL helped launch additional regional leagues that then came together under the same umbrella of The Alliance Fastpitch.
What Is the TFL
The TFL is a regional league for fastpitch teams in the 10U to 18U age divisions. The TFL represents both Texas and Louisiana. The TFL exists to provide all fastpitch teams access to elite level competition.
The TFL will no longer utilize a Tier system. Each age group will be all one division with an updated scoring System. Rankings of Teams no longer classified as "Tier 1" or "Tier 2". The ELO scoring system will be a continuous scoring system that ranks team based on their game and event results. The top performing teams in each age division will earn their right to play for the TFL League Championship. Those League Championship winners will then earn their right to play for the AFCS Tier I, Tier II or Tier III Championship.
How is the TFL related to the other leagues?
The TFL is a Member League of The Alliance Fastpitch and will operate in collaboration with the seven other Member Leagues in the Alliance. This means that the League Championship and top finishers in AFCS Qualifying Events will earn a berth to The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS). Being a League Team inside of The Alliance Fastpitch means team standings will be calculated at each age division and team and individual stats will be recognized at the League and national level.
Additionally, this means all individual athletes and individual coaches will register as individual members of The Alliance Fastpitch. This membership includes insurance, a discounted background check for coaches, and access to all Membership Benefits.
See more about Alliance Memberships.
How do I earn points in the TFL?
Teams earn points at Alliance endorsed events. Events can be found on our league schedule.
All teams need to have a team account and roster set up thru AthletesGoLive (AGL)! In addition, all games MUST be scored using (AGL). AGL provides reports about the event - what teams played each other, game scores, and stats. It is VERY important to score all of your games in AGL. If you do not score your games in AGL, they will not be included in our leaderboard calculations. If teams are not registered and actively scoring their games with AGL then their players will not be eligible for TFL or Alliance awards. When scoring a TFL event in AGL, you must select the AGL event code when scoring and streaming games.
To confirm your Alliance ID has been tied to your AGL account, log into your AGL team account (app or web) and your Alliance ID will be listed on the HOME page. If it is blank, please follow these instructions to register for AGL: Click here
Click here for more detailed information on Points and Standings
What do my points mean?
Points earned in the TFL will seed teams into the TFL League Championship events. These events will award berths to the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series at each age division and Tier.
How do I join the TFL?
Register your team with the TFL for the 2022 Season (Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2022).
All individual athletes and coaches will register with The Alliance Fastpitch.
