Event Preview: Prestigious West Coast Elite Camp Hits Year 14 This Weekend

Saturday, November 3rd marks the 14th edition of OnDeck Softball’s West Coast Elite Camp, which is taking place at College of Southern Nevada in Henderson this weekend.

“Over the years it has been quite a journey!” says Derek Allister, who with wife Joanne unveiled in the Fall of 2005 the start of what is considered the most prestigious, innovative and successful recruiting event to date–an invitation-only elite camp at UNLV’s Eller Media Softball Stadium.

It featured 38 players from across the country whom the Allisters had personally evaluated.

The strength of the 2005 group would be evident several years later as 14 players would go on to All-American careers as DI softball players with five of those eventually playing on Team USA and one becoming an NCAA National Player of the Year.

“We had no idea if it would work.” remembers Joann. “The players were warming up and there was not a single coach around. It was a little scary!”

Derek added: “We never believed in soliciting coaches, so we had no idea who might show up or how many.”

But then one coach walked thru the gate and that coach happened to be the most successful NCAA Division I head coach of all time: UCLA’s Sue Enquist, who would win 10 National Championships in her Hall of Fame career.

“At that point we knew we’d be alright,” continues Derek. “All told, 43 coaches ended up attending and over the years the West Coast Elite Camp has continued to draw coaches from all levels and from all across the country.”

Today, it is recognized as the premier recruiting camp each year with many imitators, but none surpassing the history and success of the 14-year-old West Coast Elite Camp.

This weekend’s edition looks to be equally stacked with young talent as the roster of attendees is loaded with elite players that come up thru the OnDeck system or have been scouted by the OnDeck team.

“We have some really good players attending this weekend,” said Heather Allister, the oldest Allister daughter who played at Missouri and has become an integral part of OnDeck Softball.

“Jaden Hill, Maddie Moore, Dee Dee Hernandez, Destinee Noury, Trisha McCleskey, Johnna Schroeder, Georgia Corey, and Austin Germain are all good players who have a chance to play at a high level.” Heather added “Adding these 75 players to the list of great players who have attended this camp continues the legacy my parents started in 2005.”

Says Hill, a 2020 shortstop/outfielder from Monarch Beach, California: “I’m excited and anxious (to attend the camp); I had a broken hand so I missed PGF this past year. I’m happy to be healthy and back on the field.”

Corey, a 2022 infielder from Portland, Oregon who plays on the Northwest Bullets states: “I am very excited for camp and it’s always fun to run into players I have met at different camps over the year.”

As to what she wants to get out of the event, she adds: “More growth and future opportunity getting to compete against the best players on the West Coast. It’s an honor and a challenge to see how you match up against so many great players.”

Some, like Alannah Rogers, a 2022 pitcher from Sunrise, Arizona and member of the Arizona Hotshots Gold team, feels the chance to gauge her progress is another reason to workout with other top athletes.

“I would like to just see if I have improved and get any tips that can help me become a better player,” she says.

One key to the event’s success is how the Allisters have evolved and adapted as the sport has grown.

“As the recruiting landscape has changed, we had to change with it,” says Joann. “Once held on an October Thursday and Friday at Mt. SAC, we are back in the Vegas area on a November Saturday.”

Moving the camp has had its challenges, but the level of play remains the same.

Derek adds, “Every player who has attended this event over the years has had the chance to play at the next level. Four of them became National Players of the Year and hundreds have played or are playing D-1 softball.”

He emphasizes that not every young athlete’s journey is the same, but the event organizers root for their alums’ success in whatever path they choose to follow.

“We know of some who went the JC route; one who chose to play tennis and there are some that choose to not play college softball, but whatever choice is made, it is fun to follow their careers. We will always consider all of them to be part of the OnDeck family.”

Note: we’ll have profiles on many of the athletes invited to the West Coast Elite Camp in the upcoming weeks…

2018 West Coast Elite Camp Roster