At Extra Inning Softball, we are committed to celebrating and elevating the game at every level — from youth travel ball and high school competition to college, professional, and international play.
One of our most impactful features is our player rankings platform, designed to recognize athletes who are raising the bar across the fastpitch community. Below, we answer your most frequently asked questions about how the process works — and how your athlete can get on our radar.
Mastering the nuances of player rankings can significantly impact their visibility and opportunities.
EIS New Rankings Platform Highlights
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No ties: We avoid tying players to maintain clarity and limit conflict within the softball community.
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Extensive research: Input is gathered from dozens of head coaches and organizational leaders across the country.
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Focused age groups: We start ranking players as they exit their 8th grade year and up — allowing younger athletes time to grow and develop.
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Thorough process: We take a full month to evaluate nominations, compared to just days at other outlets.
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Expert committee: Our panel includes former Division I athletes and college coaches with proven success.
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Position-based rankings: Athletes are evaluated against peers in the same position for maximum fairness.
How Do the Player Rankings Work?
All nominated athletes are guaranteed a regional ranking, but are not guaranteed a national ranking. Players selected nationally fall into one of the following tiers:
| National Categories | Ranking Range |
|---|---|
| Extra Elite 100 | 1–100 |
| Extra Select | 101–200 |
| Extra Prospects | 201–300 |
Additional honors include:
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Hitters Hotlist (Regional & National)
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Academic Honor Roll
Do All Players Need to Be Nominated?
Yes. Every player must be nominated in order to be considered. This allows our staff to evaluate each athlete using the same criteria and ensures a level playing field.
Who Can Nominate a Player?
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Travel ball coaches and organization leaders
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Parents: we recommend working with your coach
Does It Cost to Nominate a Player?
No, There is no cost to nominate a player.
How Do I Nominate an Athlete?
Visit the Rankings tab at Extra Inning Softball and click on “Player Nominations.” Follow all instructions and fill out the form accurately.
When Are Nominations Due & Rankings Released?
Our current deadline schedule and release dates are listed on our website HERE. We encourage families and coaches to subscribe to updates so they don’t miss important timelines.
Who Determines Player Rankings?
Rankings are voted on by the Extra Inning Softball committee, a group of former standout players and veteran coaches. To protect the integrity of the process, members remain confidential, and rankings are finalized only by unanimous consensus.
What Criteria Is Used to Rank Players?
Players are evaluated on:
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Verified stats
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Video breakdown
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Coach/organizational leader evaluations
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Individual accolades
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Tournament strength & results
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Playing up in age level
A Note to Coaches, Parents & Organizational Leaders
We make every effort to personally notify club directors and coaches about upcoming nomination opportunities — however, we understand schedules get busy and some notifications may still be missed.
We highly encourage parents and athletes to work hand-in-hand with their coaches and organizational leaders to ensure all information is submitted on time and that player nominations reflect the athlete’s most up-to-date achievements.
Your collaboration is essential in helping us continue to recognize deserving athletes and uphold the integrity of the ranking process.
Does Extra Inning Softball Offer More Than Rankings?
Absolutely. While our player rankings are among the most recognized in fastpitch softball, Extra Inning Softball is far more than just a rankings platform.
We provide comprehensive coverage of the sport — including feature stories, player and coach spotlights, breaking news, tournament recaps, transfer portal updates, recruiting advice, training tips, and human-interest stories that highlight the heart behind the game.
From youth travel ball and high school play to college, professional, and international competition, our mission is to showcase the full journey of fastpitch softball athletes, not just their statistics.
Contact Us
Questions? Email the Rankings Committee directly at
📩 rankings@extrainningsoftball.com
(Please allow up to 5 business days for a response.)
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