At Extra Inning Softball, in an era of travel softball where exposure, recruiting, championships and year-round competition can dominate the conversation, I-5 Softball has built its identity around something bigger than the scoreboard.
Based in Santa Clarita, California, I-5 has grown into a 16-team softball organization spanning 10U through 18U, but founders Kim and Jared Snyder remain committed to the same philosophy that helped shape the program from the beginning.
Listen below to learn more about the Synder’s philosophy!
Their philosophy has helped I-5 develop collegiate athletes, build competitive teams and create a culture Snyder hopes players remember long after their final game.
Their Philosophy is: develop the player without losing sight of the person.
“We want our girls to have a life,” Jared Snyder told Extra Inning Softball. “We want them to have something outside of softball. We don’t want softball to be everything.”
Built From Family
I-5 was founded in 2018 by Kim and Jared Snyder, with a story rooted in family.
Kim’s parents, Bill and Jo Neighbors, were successful local business owners of Pacific Air Logistics and quietly supported softball players throughout the Santa Clarita community. Following their passing, Kim invested in I-5 Softball and Baseball in their honor.
The organization began with one baseball team and one softball team.
Its softball footprint grew significantly in 2019 when Talia Banbrook contacted the Snyders while looking for an organization for her team. Banbrook became an important part of I-5’s growth, helping establish its presence in Santa Clarita and Ventura County.
Today, I-5 features three 18U teams, five 16U teams, four 14U teams, three 12U teams and two 10U teams, in addition to four baseball teams.
But Snyder isn’t interested in becoming an organization with hundreds of teams.
“We want when we go to a tournament when there’s an I-5 team there, the other teams go, ‘Man, we better play well because there’s no bad teams in this organization,’” Snyder said. “We don’t want 500 teams.”
For Snyder, staying connected to the athletes matters. He wants to know the players, understand their development and remain involved in their recruiting journeys.
Challenging the Win-at-All-Costs Culture
One of I-5’s defining characteristics is its rejection of a win-at-all-costs mentality.
“We wanted to be completely different than everybody else,” Snyder said. “We wanted to be a positive environment.”
That means athletes are allowed to work through adversity.
Pitchers aren’t necessarily removed after one difficult inning. Hitters can battle through slumps. Players aren’t immediately punished for making mistakes.
“The most important thing is how do you learn from your failure,” Snyder said.
That accountability applies to coaches too.
During one semifinal game, Snyder made two aggressive decisions at third base that resulted in runners being thrown out at home. Rather than blaming his athletes, he gathered the team and acknowledged that the mistakes belonged to him.
I-5 ultimately won 12-1, but Snyder remembered his players telling him they had never experienced a coach openly accepting responsibility for that type of mistake.
For I-5, leadership means coaches holding themselves to the same standards they expect from players. Discover more inspiring stories, organization spotlights and exclusive features from Extra Inning Softball HERE.
Be an Athlete — and Be a Kid
Perhaps I-5’s most distinctive philosophy comes away from the field.
Prom. Homecoming. Graduation events. Family memories.
The Snyders heard athletes talk about missing significant moments because of travel softball and decided their organization would handle those situations differently.
“It’s not going to cost you a position,” Snyder said when explaining the policy.
One I-5 athlete once faced a decision between attending homecoming and playing in front of college programs at a tournament.
Snyder told her, “go to your dance.”
She did—and was crowned homecoming queen. The college programs returned Sunday to watch her play, and one eventually offered her an opportunity she accepted.
The lesson reflects I-5’s broader belief: another softball game will come. Certain life moments won’t.
Development With Purpose
That family-first approach doesn’t mean I-5 lowers competitive expectations.
At the younger levels, development centers on fundamentals while protecting an athlete’s love for the sport. The organization incorporates off-field activities for its 10U and 12U players and tries to avoid burnout.
As athletes get older, practices become increasingly demanding.
I-5generally prefers focused three-to-four-hour sessions instead of marathon practices.
“Our practices are fast. They’re structured. They’re chaotic,” Snyder said, explaining that the organization tries to practice faster than the game itself.
By 14U, the philosophy begins shifting toward showcase softball and recruiting.
Players are introduced to environments where the goal isn’t simply “chasing a ring,” but performing consistently, competing for teammates and learning how to play when college coaches are watching.
Recruiting education also begins early. I-5 provides players with guidance on recruiting platforms, communication and building what Snyder views as their first professional resume.
“You’re building your resume from 14 to 18 so coaches can look at it and see it,” Snyder said.
College Opportunities Without Empty Promises
I-5 athletes have gone on to programs including UCLA, Wisconsin, Harvard, Oregon State, Cal State Fullerton, Indiana, Cal Baptist, George Washington, North Dakota, Idaho State, Sam Houston State, Omaha, Cal Poly SLO, Stetson, UC San Diego, Northern Colorado and Louisiana Tech.
Among them are Addison Snyder, Mattie Beliveau, Sarah Coccillos, Jasmin Reyes, Lexi Lopez, Sydney Hogue, Jaedyn Valdez, Anastasia Bruenner, Casey Glantz, Amelia Johnson, Landry Hinrichs, Evalina Chavez, Dylan Fischer, Aubry Akins, Naomi Stoll and Malaina Alifano.
But Snyder refuses to take credit for the scholarships.
“I never earned a scholarship for them,” he said. “They did it all. I never threw the ball. I never hit the ball. I never fielded it.”
He is equally direct with families about recruiting promises.
“I will never promise you a scholarship,” Snyder said.
For I-5, recruiting isn’t about guaranteeing a destination. It’s about developing athletes, educating families and helping players find the right collegiate fit.
Success On and Beyond the Field
Recent results show that development and competitive success can coexist.
I-5 Softball 18U Snyder finished third at the inaugural Top Gun Lone Star event, while I-5 Snyder/Pugliese placed ninth at 16U PGF Platinum as a first-year 16U team.
The Snyders have also expanded their involvement into collegiate summer softball through the Golden Bay Collegiate League, an affiliate of the Florida Gulf Coast League.
They own two teams, help operate the league with Ryan Moore and have created additional opportunities for former players to gain experience in areas such as league administration and social media.
Former I-5 athletes are now beginning to return to the organization as coaches as well, including one member of the program’s first graduating class who now leads an I-5 16U team.
For an organization built around family, that may be one of the strongest measures of success.
More Than the Game
For I-5 Softball, success extends far beyond wins, championships and college commitments. It is about developing athletes while ensuring they never lose the opportunity to simply be kids.
That philosophy is now coming full circle, with former I-5 players returning to coach and invest in the next generation.
When Jared Snyder was asked what he hopes every athlete can say when her I-5 journey ends, his answer captured it perfectly:
“I loved every minute.”
For I-5 Softball, there may be no better measure of success.
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