Bonnie Holland
Extra Inning Softball CEO
Jan 13, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET
For years, rankings were labeled a “necessary evil” because of a widespread belief that players had to be ranked—and ranked high—to be seen by college coaches. That mindset shaped the early era of rankings, where visibility was confused with value and speed often replaced responsibility.
The result was a system that pushed athletes into the spotlight far too early, especially at the seventh- and eighth-grade levels. The community pushed back, and rightfully so.
Ranking children that young created pressure, unrealistic expectations, and long-term consequences that the sport is still working through.
What has changed is not the value of information, but how it is used. College coaches do not recruit rankings—they recruit athletes. When done correctly, rankings are no longer a shortcut to exposure but a structured tool that helps coaches sort data, track development, and identify uncommitted talent at the appropriate stage.
That evolution is why Extra Inning Softball emphasizes responsible evaluation through initiatives like our Uncommitted Series, which supports both our committed coverage and our uncommitted player lists without forcing premature labels. View our EIS Uncommitted list HERE!
I take a firm stand against ranking athletes who are not yet at true recruiting age. That is why we do not rank seventh graders and only evaluate eighth graders after their eighth-grade year. Instead, we created a Watchlist for younger athletes—recognition without hierarchy, encouragement without pressure.
Rankings, as we define them today, begin at legitimate recruiting ages, from 14 through 18. That shift reflects what we’ve learned as a sport: development comes first, and credibility in rankings depends on restraint, not reach.
Fixing a Broken System
Before I assumed full ownership of Extra Inning Softball, I witnessed practices that undermined the credibility of the rankings process. Coaches would call to dispute a player’s placement, and within minutes, changes were made—names added, numbers adjusted, positions shifted.
At the same time, families were being told through customer service that no changes could be made once the nomination window closed or rankings were released. That contradiction was unacceptable.
Those moments led to difficult conversations and made it clear that we did not share the same values. When the opportunity came to take over the company, I made a conscious decision to rebuild the system the right way—ethically, transparently, and without exception.
At Extra Inning Softball, favoritism has no place. Rankings are not influenced by relationships, reputations, or who knows whom. Every athlete is evaluated under the same standards, regardless of organization, geography, or access. That principle is non-negotiable.
I respectfully challenge any coach who has grown accustomed to “making a call” to influence outcomes—whether to add a player, move a number, or adjust a ranking—to pause and reflect. If the instinct is to seek special treatment rather than trust the integrity of the process, then something is misaligned.
Disagreement is fair. Disappointment is understandable. But using personal connections to alter evaluations is wrong—plain and simple.
A Player’s Perspective
On October 2, 2025, I received an email from a young athlete whose name has been blotted out to protect her privacy, but her parent gave permission to share her words.
This message stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me why we do what we do at Extra Inning Softball—why integrity, patience, and compassion must remain at the core of everything involving rankings and recognition.
“Hi Bonnie,My name is XXXX, I have been blessed to be featured and ranked by Extra Innings since I was 12 years old. I have heard from my dad that many people complain about rankings and how they don’t matter. I just wanted to send you a thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing a platform for athletes like me to be promoted. I am proud of how much work I put in to be good and know I earned a spot at the University of XXXX but the financial package I received will not only pay for school and all the expenses but it will set up life after graduation and I know that is in thanks to being ranked on Extra Innings and the platform you provide all of us athletes.Thank you again very much”
That email speaks louder than any data, debate, or criticism ever could. It represents what Extra Inning Softball stands for: doing the hard work, standing on principle, and reminding young athletes that integrity still matters.
Every hour of research, every coach conversation, and every late-night committee review is worth it if even one player learns the difference between entitlement and earned recognition. That’s what makes this more than rankings—it’s about raising the standard of our sport.
How We Ensure Fairness
This is exactly why our rankings committee operates through full consensus. Every decision must be agreed upon unanimously, ensuring no single voice carries undue influence.
I’ve personally witnessed the kind of unethical practices that once existed elsewhere—gift cards and “thank-you” packages were sent in attempts to stay in favor with those in charge.
While genuine appreciation is always valued, accepting such gifts is inappropriate and compromises integrity.
We have built a transparent, multi-layered system that ensures accountability long after my time as CEO. When I eventually step aside, Extra Inning Softball will continue to operate on fairness and structure—not personality or influence. The same can’t be said for companies whose entire system depends on a single person’s opinion.
Integrity & Technology
Our commitment to fairness extends far beyond words. We developed proprietary software that automatically flags statistics which appear inaccurate. When that happens, our team follows up with coaches and parents to verify the data before it ever goes public.
For the Class of 2028 alone, we reviewed 1,226 players. I personally met with more than 45 coaches in five weeks to gather their insight and feedback.
Our process also includes cross-checking tournament schedules, reviewing film, and evaluating the strength of schedule and competition level.
We removed ties, partnered with regional representatives across the country, and created an evolving committee composed entirely of women who have played or coached at the college level and beyond. We rotate regional board members regularly to ensure no bias and to introduce fresh, balanced perspectives.
Ranking Young Players Is a Money Grab
I will be direct: ranking seventh- and eighth-grade athletes—particularly when ties are involved—is a revenue-driven practice, not a development-driven one.
Prior to the ownership transition in January 2024, this approach represented the single largest source of income for the company. It leaned heavily on urgency, comparison, and fear of missing out, often at the expense of what was truly best for young athletes and their families.
The consequences of ranking players that young are not short-lived. Early rankings encourage unhealthy comparison, inflate expectations prematurely, and distract from skill development, team growth, and a genuine love for the game.
When rankings are rushed, recycled, or released within days—and especially when ties are allowed—they lack credibility by design.
At Extra Inning Softball, we made a conscious decision to reject that model. Every ranking we release requires more than a month of evaluation, data verification, and committee discussion.
That process is slower and more demanding, but it is intentional. Rankings done the right way are not a quick transaction. They are a long-term investment in the integrity of the sport and the well-being of the athletes who play it.
A Call to the Softball Community
To parents, coaches, and organizational leaders: pause and look at the bigger picture. When engaging with rankings, take the time to research the companies you choose to support and the standards they uphold.
If the goal is simply to secure a higher placement in a system built on ties, look closer. A “Top 15” label may actually place an athlete behind dozens of others once the math is examined.
At Extra Inning Softball, we rank without ties, with position-specific evaluation, and with full accountability.
If an organization cannot clearly explain why an athlete is placed where she is—or if rankings shift after complaints are made—that is not transparency. That is corruption.
Red Flags
At Extra Inning Softball, we encourage parents and coaches to do their homework before submitting nominations.
Ask the hard questions: How can rankings be credible when positions are combined or when ties are used? If you don’t receive a clear, evidence-based explanation for why your player was ranked where they were ranked, that’s a major red flag—it likely means there’s no real methodology guiding the process.
Another red flag? When the person doing the rankings makes themselves known. True rankings are a collective, unbiased effort—not a platform for personal recognition.
When someone feels the need to attach their name for attention or take prideful ownership of who deserves credit, it shifts the focus away from the athletes and toward ego. Rankings should never be about self-promotion; they should be about the sport and the players who give their all to it.
The Standard We Stand By
At Extra Inning Softball, we are intentional about doing things differently. Our rankings are built on checks and balances—combining proprietary data systems with a multi-member evaluation committee—so every decision is deliberate, accountable, and transparent.
We will continue to lead with honesty, education, and respect for the game. When rankings are done the right way, they are a meaningful resource, not a “necessary evil.” And ultimately, if a ranking or its methodology doesn’t make sense to you, it won’t make sense to a college coach either.
For questions about rankings, please email our Rankings Committee at rankings@extrainningsoftball.com
Learn more about the history of rankings and how the Rising Stars Watchlist was created—listen here.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 Extra Inning Softball TM
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