Extra Inning Softball: Player Rankings FAQ for Success

 Player Rankings FAQ for Success

At Extra Inning Softball, we are dedicated to covering all aspects of fastpitch softball, from travel ball and high school to college, professional, and international play.

One of our most popular features is our player rankings, where we honor the hard work and talent of athletes from various graduating classes. We frequently receive questions about how our ranking process works, and we’re here to answer the most common ones below.

EIS New Rankings Platform

• No Ties: Unlike other ranking services, we do not tie players. This approach helps to avoid conflicts within the softball community among players, parents, and coaches.
• Extensive Research: We collaborate with over 100 organizational leaders nationwide to ensure the most accurate and comprehensive rankings.
• Focused Age Groups: We choose not to rank 7th graders, allowing them more time to develop on the field during their formative years. We begin ranking 8th graders midway through their 8th grade year for similar reasons.
• Thorough Process: While other companies may complete their rankings within a week of closing nominations, we take over three weeks to ensure accuracy and fairness.
• Expert Committee: Our rankings committee is composed of women who have played or coached at the highest levels of the game, including Division 1 and professional softball.
• Position-Based Rankings: Players are ranked against others in the same position, ensuring a fair comparison.

How Do the Player Rankings Work?

All player who are nominated are guaranteed a regional ranking but not a national ranking. All players who are nominated will be considered for the following types of rankings:

1. Region [all nominated players are ranked regionally]
2. National Rankings [3 categories]
   1. Elite, Select, Prospects
      1. Extra Elite 100 [players ranked 1-100]
      2. Extra Select [players ranked 101-200]
      3. Extra Prospects [players ranked 201-300]
3. Hitters Hotlist [Regional & National]
4. All Academic Honor Roll

We consult with coaches, leaders, and other experts in the field. Our extensive research aids us in providing the most comprehensive and accurate rankings available within the softball community.

Do All Players Need to be Nominated?

Yes! Due to the extensive nature of our evaluation, all players who are considered for Extra Inning Softball rankings must be nominated. This allows our staff the ability to review each player based on the same criteria.

How Do I Nominate a Player to be Considered for Rankings?

Click on Nominations located under our Ranking tab on the Extra Inning Softball home page.

When Do Nominations Open and When Do Rankings Start?

Our schedule for nomination deadlines and rankings release dates can be found HERE.

Who Determines Player Rankings?

Our rankings are determined by the Extra Inning Softball committee, a group of individuals with extensive experience in fastpitch softball. Key points about our committee include:

• Experience: The committee consists of former players and coaches who have excelled at high levels of the game.
• Confidentiality: To maintain the integrity of the process, committee members’ identities are kept confidential, preventing any potential bias.
• Consensus-Based: Rankings are decided by unanimous consensus among committee members, ensuring a fair and accurate assessment of talent.

What Criteria is Used to Rank Players?

• The rankings committee evaluates players and takes into consideration the following:
  • stats
  • video analysis
  • coach recommendations
  • individual accomplishments
  • tournaments played [and placement]
  • is the athlete playing up an age group?
  • consult with head coaches and organizational leaders

How Important Are Stats?

Stats are crucial as they reflect the accomplishments and abilities of top talent across the nation. However, we also consider other factors such as the level of competition, tournaments played, positions and their demands, and more. We strive to verify all player stats submitted to us.

Who Can Nominate a Player?

Nominations are typically made by club, high school, pitching, hitting coaches, and college coaches or scouts. Parents are also welcome to submit information for player bios and potential feature stories.

Is There a Cost to Nominate a Player?

No, there is no cost to nominate a player to be considered for rankings.

A Note to Coaches and Parents

We strongly encourage coaches and parents to pay close attention to nomination deadlines. While we make efforts to remind coaches, busy schedules can sometimes cause these notifications to be missed. If a player’s updated information isn’t submitted on time, our committee may not have enough data to consider them for ranking, even if they have been ranked in previous years.

How Do I Contact the Rankings Committee?

For any questions regarding nominations or rankings, please email us at rankings@extrainningsoftball.com. Please allow up to 5 business days for a response.

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