Extra Inning Softball: Additional Enhancements to Rankings Platform

BY EIS 2.0 Rankings Committee

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Additional Enhancements to Extra Inning Softball’s Rankings Platform

Extra Inning Softball is proud to announce a significant update to our player rankings platform which launched on Friday, July 26, 2024. Nominate Class of 2025 players to be considered for rankings HERE.

Understanding the complexities and challenges associated with player rankings, we have made a decisive move to eliminate ties and introduce a more structured and transparent ranking system. This change aims to provide a clearer, more accurate representation of player performance and potential across the nation.

Consultation with Coaches and Leaders

The decision to revamp our rankings system was not made lightly. Our Extra Inning Softball Rankings Committee has engaged in extensive consultations with coaches and leaders from various regions to understand the best approach for ranking players. Feedback and insights from these experts have been invaluable in shaping our new platform, ensuring it aligns with the needs and expectations of the fastpitch softball community.

Introducing the New Rankings Categories

To address the issues caused by ties in player rankings, we have established three distinct categories for nominated players:

Extra Elite: Players ranked 1-100
Extra Select: Players ranked 101-200
Extra Prospects: Players ranked 201-300

This new structure allows for a more precise ranking process, ensuring that each player’s hard work and talent are appropriately recognized. All players ranked in one of these three categories will be highlighted with their photo and a bio paragraph.

Introducing: Extra Inning Softball Academic Honor Roll for Student-Athletes

In addition to these changes, we are excited to announce that when coaches nominate players for rankings, Extra Inning Softball will also consider these players for our Academic Honor Roll. This initiative recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of student-athletes, ensuring that their hard work in the classroom is celebrated alongside their athletic accomplishments. By integrating academic excellence into our evaluation process, we continue to uphold the highest standards and honor the well-rounded achievements of our players.

Significant Enhancements to Extra Inning Softball’s Rankings Platform Year to Date

Over the past seven months under new ownership, Extra Inning Softball has implemented several positive changes to enhance our rankings platform and ensure a more equitable process. Here are the key improvements made since January 16, 2024:

Discontinued ranking 7th graders.
Shifted the ranking of 8th graders to halfway through their 8th-grade year.
Extended the review period for nominations from 1 week to 3.5 weeks for a more thorough evaluation.
Appointed a unanimous rankings committee of individuals with experience in D1 or professional softball, replacing the previous single-person system.
Eliminated ties in rankings.
Ranked players within the same position, not against those in different positions.
Revamped the nomination form to streamline the submission process.

These changes reflect our commitment to continuously improving our platform and providing fair and accurate player rankings.

Commitment to Clarity and Fairness

Our commitment to clarity and fairness remains at the forefront of this new initiative. By eliminating ties and implementing these categories, we aim to provide a more reliable and respected ranking system. Players, coaches, and fans can now have greater confidence in the accuracy and fairness of our rankings.

Extra Inning Softball is excited about this new chapter in player rankings and looks forward to continuing our mission of highlighting and celebrating the incredible talent within girls fastpitch softball. Stay tuned for the upcoming release of our new rankings and join us in recognizing the best in the game!

For any questions regarding nominations and rankings, please email us at rankings@extrainningsoftball.com. Please allow up to 5 business days for a response.