Katie Lively Joins Extra Inning Softball as Communication and Research Director

BY Roger McAfee

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Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Holland has announced the appointment of Katie Lively as the Communications and Research Director for Extra Inning Softball.

“With a master’s degree in strategic communications and a background as a collegiate softball player, Katie’s dynamic leadership qualities will continue to have a profound impact on the softball community,” said Holland. “Her former experiences bring a unique perspective to her role as the Communications and Research Director, and she will oversee our upcoming ambassador and mentorship program. Katie’s expertise, coupled with her passion for the sport, will undoubtedly elevate our outreach efforts, event presence, and collaborations with other organizations, further solidifying our commitment to the advancement of fastpitch softball.”

Lively comes to Extra Inning Softball after working in the communications department for Distinguished Young Women, a company designed to empower young women to reach their full potential by providing scholarship opportunities for college as well as personal development to become confident leaders.

She also played collegiately at Troy University in Troy, Ala., and enjoyed a decorated career while playing for the Trojans.

In her role as the Communications and Research Director for Extra Inning Softball, Lively will oversee communication, both internally and externally, to support the EIS mission. She will serve as the liaison between the company, its affiliates, vendors, and various consultants and play a key role in enhancing the branding and imaging of EIS.

Additionally, Lively will develop and execute communication plans, monitor all social media platforms, assist with content development within the editorial department and oversee and lead the Ambassador program.

“I’ve always wanted to find a way to give back to the game and invest back into the sport, so it was really hard to find something that I could give back to the game and invest in younger players without coaching or without giving lessons or without doing something that actually has to do with on the field skill,” Lively said. “When I spoke with Bonnie and she explained the position and what it entailed, I felt like it was a perfect fit. I love to write, I love communication and creating social media and I love interacting with other people. It was just one of those things where it was a no-brainer for me. This is literally the most perfect blend of being in softball and being in the sport while also still using the skills that I learned in school and what I like to do like professionally.”

Lively played five seasons at Troy and appeared in 162 games while making 119 career starts.

She batted a career-high .364 in 2020 and finished the season with eight doubles, three home runs and 15 RBIs.

Lively was named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2021 as she batted .303 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and a career-best 37 RBIs.

Led by Lively, Troy posted a 37-17 record and advanced to the Tuscaloosa Regional of the NCAA Tournament, which marked the second all-time appearance for the Trojans in the tournament.

She went 1-for-3 with a run scored as the Trojans defeated Alabama State 8-0 in game two of the regional, which marked the first NCAA Tournament win in school history for Troy.

She posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in four of her five seasons wearing the Troy uniform.

Lively learned more than the game of softball at Troy and will bring that experience with her to Extra Inning Softball.

“My coaching staff at Troy was big on being intentional with your teammates and being invested in your teammates and being there for them and how important it is. Yes, softball is important, and it is the way we meet all these people and do great things. But at the end of the day, softball is all about who you’re with. If you ask any softball player why they play, it’s usually going to be because of my teammates and I love being on a team and I love being a part of their group, something bigger than myself. It’s usually the most common answer.

“So, what I learned at Troy is just how to really invest in my teammates and invest in the sport, being intentional with my teammates. And I think that I can use what I learned at Troy to do the same thing with the younger generation and investing and being intentional with them and understanding that softball can do so much good if you’re intentional about it and that you care about your teammates and you care about who you’re impacting. So, then we just continue to grow the game and continue to do good work with the platform that all those girls are given playing softball and being a part of a team.”

Lively has a firm grasp on social media and understands its importance as it relates to branding and imaging for Extra Inning Softball.

“Interacting with them on social media is the biggest way to promote our brand. I know with our initiative Empower, Inspire and Support, we can really communicate those things and do those things through social media by empowering these young girls when they’re making good plays, when they’re doing something in the community or whenever they’re doing something of value. When we retweet it, like it or share it, we’re giving them that validation, really empowering them to continue doing what they do best as well as supporting them and inspiring them. I want us to be a company that we’re the first people they think of when something good happens. If they commit, or they get an award, or they do whatever in their life that’s great then the first thing they think of is Extra Inning Softball.”

Lively earned her bachelor’s degree in global business in 2022 and received a master’s degree in strategic communication in 2023.