Extra Inning Softball’s “Next Big Thing:” The 20 Most Influential People in Softball

Way back in November of 2006, our President/Executive Editor Brentt Eads launched a research project with his company then, Student Sports, that still resonates today:

… the “10 Most Influential People in Softball Today”

We’re excited to announce that we’re going to update this list by reaching out to thousands in the softball community… and you can have a vote and say too!

Click HERE to vote!

With Extra Inning Softball’s vast reach in the softball community, we thought it would be interesting and timely, especially with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics coming up quickly, to see how this list has changed more than a decade later.

That first list took over a month of contacting and tabulating results and comments from over “500 college and club coaches, media members, event producers and organization administrators” to get their feedback.

Here’s how that initial list turned out (descriptions are as they were originally):

1. Sue Enquist—Hall of Fame coach, business owner, board member
2. Jennie Finch—NCAA Champion, Olympian, pro player, broadcaster, spokesperson
3. Dan Hay—President & CEO of Premier Girls Fastpitch (“PGF”)
4. Dave King—CEO and Founder of Triple Crown Sports (“TCS”)
5. Tony Rico—Head Coach of the Firecrackers, instructor, speaker
6. Gary Haning—Head Coach, OC Batbusters, PGF board member
7. Mike Candrea—Univ. of Arizona
8. Derek & Joann Allister—OnDeck Softball
9. Lisa Fernandez—NCAAA champion, Olympian, pro player, current UCLA asst. coach
10. Bill Conroy—Found of the Beverly Bandits, PGF board member

On the bubble: Don DeDonatis—Chairman of the Board/CEO of USSSA; Jessica Mendoza—Olympian, broadcaster

That list didn’t come without its share of controversy as many wondered (and vented!) about notable people left off.

That’s why we’re going deeper into the list and will also run further surveys including the top players and the top coaches according to the softball community.

If you would like to vote, please go to this link:

Who are the Most Influential People in Softball?

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We will announce the results in April (deadline to vote is Saturday, April 7 @ 8 pm EST) and it will definitely be interesting finding out how the listing goes!