The window is closing—and momentum is already shifting.
As the Class of 2029 nomination period approaches its final days, one thing is clear: an abundance of families, coaches, and organizations are positioning their athletes for the most thorough and accurate evaluation possible. With nominations officially closing on January 12, the clock is ticking for those who have not yet submitted.
Across the country, participation trends are already telling a story—and some regions are clearly stepping up faster than others. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
Where Nominations Are Coming From So Far
Based on current submission data, the regions are stacking up in the following order by highest percentage of nominations received:
- Southeast
- Midwest
- West
- Southwest
- Northeast
- Mountain Region
This does not determine rankings—but it does highlight which areas are being most proactive as the deadline approaches.
Below is a snapshot of which states are showing up most consistently so far, listed from highest to lowest within each region.
Northeast Region Takeaway
Pennsylvania and Virginia are clearly anchoring the Northeast, accounting for a significant share of nominations and setting the early tone for the region. Maryland is contributing solid volume, while the remaining states show lighter participation—suggesting meaningful opportunity for late submissions to influence overall regional representation before the window closes.
Southeast Region Takeaway
The Southeast is the national leader in total nominations so far, driven primarily by Georgia’s dominant share. Florida, Alabama, and the Carolinas provide strong secondary support, but there is noticeable drop-off beyond the top tier. This region is active and competitive, yet still open for movement from states that have not fully engaged.
Midwest Region Takeaway
The Midwest shows one of the most balanced participation profiles, with Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan forming a strong core, while the remaining states contribute incrementally. Because the distribution is relatively even compared to other regions, additional nominations could meaningfully shift rankings and visibility across the board.
Southwest Region Takeaway
Texas overwhelmingly drives the Southwest, accounting for the majority of submissions and setting a high benchmark for the region. Oklahoma and Arizona trail at a distance, leaving clear room for growth. Late nominations here can still change the narrative, especially for non-Texas athletes seeking broader exposure.
Mountain Region Takeaway
The Mountain Region remains the least represented overall, with Colorado leading and Idaho coming in second. The smaller sample size means every additional nomination carries outsized impact. This region has one of the clearest opportunities for late engagement to directly influence evaluation depth and regional balance.
West Region Takeaway
California is carrying the West with a commanding share of nominations, reinforcing its reputation as a talent-dense state. Oregon and Washington are present but underrepresented relative to population and participation. Additional submissions from these states could significantly reshape the regional landscape before the deadline.
Early Nominations Create a Competitive Advantage
At Extra Inning Softball, nominations are not dropped into a system and auto-ranked.
While we utilize preparatory and proprietary software to organize, track, and analyze athlete data at scale, rankings are ultimately determined through a strategic evaluation process guided by deep knowledge of the game. Our rankings methodology is driven by experience, context, competition level, and long-term player development—not shortcuts.
Early nominations allow our team to:
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Track athletes across a broader competitive window
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Compare performances against verified competition
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Cross-reference positional impact and progression
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Reduce late-stage data gaps that can affect placement
Software prepares the data. Expert evaluation interprets it. That balance—technology paired with softball IQ—is what separates Extra Inning Softball rankings from surface-level lists. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
Tournament Participation: Why Details Matter
One of the most critical—and often misunderstood—components of the rankings process is tournament participation.
Recently, Extra Inning Softball completed an internal initiative to rank top tournaments nationwide, assigning weighted values based on competition depth, regional and national strength, and overall event quality. These internal tournament rankings are now a key input within our evaluation framework.
Because of this:
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Not all tournaments carry equal weight
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Where an athlete competes matters—not just how often
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Listing every tournament played is essential for accurate evaluation
Incomplete tournament histories limit context. Complete data strengthens evaluation integrity.
For coaches and parents, this means one thing: thorough nominations matter. The more accurate the competitive picture, the more precise the ranking outcome.
What’s Next for the Class of 2029?
In addition to the standard rankings process, the Class of 2029 will be part of an exciting new featured rankings initiative, designed to add even greater clarity and structure to national evaluations. While details remain under wraps, a public announcement is scheduled for February 3, 2026.
Athletes already in the system will be best positioned as this next phase rolls out. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
A Message to Parents and Organization Leaders
Parents—speak up and encourage your coach and organization leaders to nominate your player.
If your athlete has not yet been nominated, now is the time to act. We strongly encourage nominations to be submitted through coaches and organization leadership, as they provide essential competitive context that supports accurate evaluation.
If a coach or organization leader does not have the time to complete the nomination, parents are welcome to submit on their athlete’s behalf. However, whenever possible, working through a coach or organization leader remains the preferred and most effective path.
Organization leaders—this is the moment to advocate for your athletes. Visibility starts with participation.
Final Call to Action
Nominations close January 12 at the end of the day.
Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
If you are a coach—nominate your players now.
If you are an organization leader—lead from the front.
If you are a parent—make the ask today.
The organizations on this list understood the urgency early.
There is still time to join them—but not much.
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