ON THIS DAY: The Alliance Fastpitch Is Born

ON THIS DAY: The Alliance Fastpitch Is Born

October 5, 2020 — A Vision to Unite the Game

On this day in 2020, a new chapter in the growth of fastpitch softball officially began.

The Alliance Fastpitch launched on October 5, 2020, with an ambitious goal: bring together organizations from across the country and create a more unified, athlete-focused future for the game.

The idea had been developing well before the official launch. Leaders from some of the biggest organizations in travel softball began discussing ways they could work together rather than continuing to operate independently. Among those involved were Tony Rico of the Firecrackers and Mike Stith of the Batbusters, along with representatives from other prominent programs.

The message behind the new organization was simple but powerful:

Unity.

The Alliance wanted to create greater collaboration within the sport while providing players with better developmental opportunities, improving coaching education and establishing a more connected pathway through youth and elite-level fastpitch.

As Stith explained around the organization's launch, the original idea was to “unite the country.”

Building Something Bigger

The timing was especially interesting.

The Alliance officially arrived during 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted seasons, tournaments and recruiting throughout the softball world. Despite all that uncertainty, the organization moved forward with its vision.

Rather than simply creating another tournament organization, The Alliance was designed around regional leagues and conferences, bringing existing clubs together under a larger national umbrella.

That concept would eventually lead to Alliance national championships and other major events, while giving athletes from different parts of the country opportunities to compete against one another on a national stage.

Six years later, The Alliance Fastpitch has become part of the landscape of elite youth softball in the United States.

A Vision to Unite the Game

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Alliance story isn't simply what it has become.

It's why it started.

Softball has always consisted of countless teams, organizations, leagues and governing bodies, each operating within its own corner of the game. The people behind The Alliance believed there was an opportunity to connect some of those pieces.

The result was an organization built around a word that was featured prominently when it launched:

UNITY.

Whether it's players chasing the opportunity to play college softball, coaches trying to develop the next generation, or organizations competing on the national stage, the goal was to create something bigger than any individual club.

And it all officially began six years ago today.

October 5, 2020.

The Alliance Fastpitch was born.

On This Day in Softball History.

Outside The Chute — Connecting the Softball World.