Addressing False Accusations and Upholding Integrity: Courage to Speak Up

BY Bonnie Holland

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Courage is Fire, and Bullying is Smoke

Overcoming Misinformation and Upholding Our Values

In recent days, misleading and unfounded accusations have surfaced regarding Extra Inning Softball, along with personal insults directed at its leadership. A group of people—most of whom have never met or spoken to its leadership—engaged in bullying and spread baseless, untrue claims. These accusations are not only false but also cowardly, serving as a prime example of individuals hiding behind their screens to make unfounded attacks rather than addressing concerns directly.

With experience in the prosecutor’s office and a Master’s in Victim Services Management, it is easy to identify weak people who feel the need to belittle others. Teaching young female athletes to stand up for what’s right requires leading by example. There’s a clear distinction between letting go of hurtful incidents and standing up to bullies in a group conformity situation, whether in person or online.

It’s important to note that the individual leading the charge with false statements about the company has been the subject of multiple complaints from coaches, accusing him of providing inaccurate information to boost his players’ rankings. Our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our ranking system remains steadfast, and we’ve implemented safeguards to ensure that every player’s ranking accurately reflects their on-field performance. Let me be clear: the immature behavior of one man (and his circle of friends) will not distract us from delivering fair and unbiased rankings. However, we will take additional steps to verify any information submitted regarding players from his organization to ensure full accuracy in the rankings process.

Rising Above Doubt and Proving Critics Wrong

Since taking sole ownership of Extra Inning Softball, skepticism has been faced from several men who doubted the ability of a woman to succeed in this role—despite it being a sport dominated by women. Some even claimed that EIS would fail without a male leader. One prominent figure in the softball world is waiting for the company to go bankrupt so he can buy it for “pennies on the dollar.” Yet, not a single woman has discouraged progress. While a few men nearing retirement, who have never played a women’s sport, predicted failure, those predictions are being proven wrong. Not only has credibility been restored, but systems have been implemented to ensure accuracy and transparency in every aspect of the business.

The team, composed of exceptional women who have played and coached at high levels of the game, has been instrumental in rebranding EIS and rebuilding the lost credibility under previous management. For instance, last year’s Class of 2025 rankings were a disaster, and the individual in charge publicly blamed a “computer glitch” for the mishap. After thorough research with the tech team, it was revealed that this was a fabricated excuse. To make matters worse, the issue occurred during the critical September 1 recruiting period. Since then, measures have been put in place to prevent such errors, further solidifying the trust regained within the softball community.

Prioritizing Athlete Honor Over Sensationalism

Another damaging incident that impacted the company’s reputation involved a story about a player who had previously suffered a serious head injury, which was published under previous ownership. The player made a decision that led to unwarranted negative media attention. Efforts were made tirelessly for five days to have the story removed, as it went against the values of Extra Inning Softball. Ironically, the player had been hit by a line drive. At Extra Inning Softball, the focus is on honoring athletes, not sensationalizing their hardships. Distasteful news will never be posted; instead, the emphasis remains on celebrating athletes’ accomplishments.

Evolving for the Better: Improving Rankings and Athlete Support

Our team of four or more individuals uses proprietary software to eliminate bias and ensure fairness, focusing on data, events played regionally and nationally, and overall performance. We also conduct extensive research on the players who are nominated.

Additionally, the decision was made to stop ranking 7th graders, as ranking athletes that young is unhealthy. This came at a financial loss but reflects a commitment to doing what’s right. Be wary of companies that continue ranking players at such young ages—it’s simply a money grab.

The rankings committee now operates independently, with no one knowing who is involved, eliminating favoritism. The evaluation process now takes three to four weeks, ensuring fairness and gaining the support of over 100 organization leaders nationwide.

Addressing the $7 Canva Image Complaints

Some individuals have also complained about our $7 fee for custom Canva images featuring athletes and our branding. These images were once publicly available, but repeated interference—where someone deleted our templates and uploaded a competing company’s logo forced us to dedicate time to creating thousands of these images manually. Given the effort involved, the small fee is justified, especially for the quality and recognition we provide for athletes.

Cowards Hide Behind Screens, Leaders Face Issues Head-On

To those airing grievances on social media: reach out to us directly if you have concerns. Only cowards hide behind baseless online accusations. True progress and improvement come from open, honest dialogue.

Consider this: the time and effort we dedicate to evaluating a single player far exceeds the $5 processing fee. Softball parents routinely invest thousands of dollars in their child’s development, yet some question this nominal fee for a professional, unbiased, and thorough evaluation. Interestingly, the few who have voiced complaints are those who haven’t been part of Extra Inning Softball for years—individuals who left under previous management.

To those who engaged in such caddy behavior, emails and/or texts have been sent. Let’s have an adult conversation! The number is available—feel free to call!

Our Commitment Remains Unchanged

As part of Extra Inning Softball’s initiative to Empower, Inspire, and Support females, we take a strong stance against toxic behaviors like group bullying. One way we take a stance is to address rumors and issues head-on. Being intentionally tagged in a thread filled with people who didn’t bother to verify information firsthand, highlighted the presence of such cowardly behavior. This “caddy” approach is neither empowering nor supportive of the positive changes being implemented. True progress requires an end to such actions, focusing instead on building a community grounded in respect, encouragement, and growth. Together, a stronger, more supportive environment can be created for everyone.

The athletes will continue to be honored with the respect they deserve, and the integrity of the rankings will always be upheld. For any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. The goal remains to listen, address issues, and continue providing the best product possible for the fastpitch softball community.

Email us at: info@extrainningsoftball.com