We continue our list of the Top 15 Softball Stories of 2020, which will run through December 31st when we’ll present our No. 1 story of the year.
Here are the previous stories (clink on link to read):
- #15… NCAA Allows College Athletes to Be Compensated for “Their Name, Image & Likeness”
- #14… The Emotional Tribute for Texas Tech Signee Jaycee Hamlin
- #13… Two USC Union College Teammates Killed in Car Accident by Drunk Driver
- #12… USA Stand Beside Her Tour… Great Start for Team USA’s Barnstorming Event
- #11… The Scrap Yard Dawgs Tweet Controversy & the Quick Dissolution of the Pro Team
- #10… Maggie Bowle’s Softball Career Was Short… but Her Legacy Lives On
- #9… The Explosive Growth & Impact of AthletesGoLive
- #8… How Softball Recruiting Morphed in the Year of the Coronavirus Pandemic
- #7… Athletes Unlimited’s New Pro Model
We’ve surveyed the softball community and talked internally as well to come up with what were the most impactful and relevant stories of the year pertaining to the world of fastpitch softball.
Where applicable, we are providing the text to the original articles and/or references when the story first happened.
- Click Here to see the Top 15 Stories of 2019
- Click Here to see the Top 15 Stories of 2018
To provide comments, insights or thoughts, email: info@extrainningsoftball.com.
Today’s story… … #6: the Florida Gulf Coast League was a ray of (Florida) sunshine in an otherwise sports-obliterated summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the name suggests, the FGCL was a “premiere summer collegiate baseball and softball organization” that allowed current and incoming college softball players the chance to get extra reps against high level competition.
While the concept originated in baseball—with summer leagues such as the Cape Code League—it was great to see it extended to softball and be so successful that more teams and players have been announced for 2021.
Here are some of the highlight articles featured on Extra Inning Softball this year (in chronological order)…
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Event Update: Florida Gulf Coast League Continues Plans to Play This Summer, Adds Top College Talent
Originally published Mar. 20, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
While much of the softball world is shutting down, the Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL)—the first-ever of its kind fastpitch collegiate league—is ramping up to play this summer.
Many college players, whose seasons were abruptly cancelled in the last week or two, are signing up to play in the league and includes players from Power 5 Conferences including the ACC, Pac-12 and SEC.
The FGCL launched the softball division last fall in addition to its baseball division with the hope of bringing college standout players to the Florida Gulf Coast (which includes the cities of Sarasota, Manatee and St. Pete) to assist in their development and growth of their collegiate careers.
“The softball division will feature a 25-game schedule,” Ryan Moore, the league’s Executive Director, told Extra Inning Softball this week, “with playoffs and an all-star event, a full-functional training facility and with living (expenses) provided.”
Team rosters will have a maximum of 16 players to ensure playing time and experience, Moore adds. There has also been calls from collegiate coaches all over the country, asking about this opportunity for their players.
“We are excited about this opportunity to share some good news for the collegiate softball world in the midst of the cancellation of the current NCAA season,” the FGCL head continues. “We are hoping to bring college softball back as soon as possible this summer season to the level and excitement we all love.”
Certainly, the summer season isn’t assured in these concerning times due to the coronavirus, but Moore believes that the future of the league is looking strong. Still, contingencies are being put in place.
“First, our commitment is to the well-being and safety of each player and we’re taking the current health situation with seriousness while monitoring the process.”
“With more than two months away, we hope to continue as planned, but in the event of cancellation, all refunds will be given.”
The talent of the league, already strong, previously, has added the following players who have committed to be on the Florida Gulf Coast League (players listed alphabetically):
- Stavi Augur – Coastal Carolina
- Maddi Banks – Virginia Tech (ACC)
- Haley Bejarano – Central Florida (American)
- Brittany Crowson – Gulf Coast State (JC)
- Ashley Davis – Lynn University (D2)
- Katelin Davis – North Florida (D2)
- Jazmine Dodd – Tyler Junior College (JC)
- Alivia Doyle – Indiana Tech (NAIA)
- Taylor Gilmore – Colorado State (Mountain West)
- Claire Ginder – Furman commit (Team USA Gold Medal winner)
- Kinsey Goelz – Florida (SEC)
- Neleigh Herring – Wichita State (American)
- Karley Hobbs – Truett McConnell (Appalachian Athletic Conference, All-American)
- Jenny Jansen – Southern Illinois (Missouri Valley, All Conference)
- Skylar Jenkins – New Mexico (Mountain West)
- Mack Leonard – Illinois State (Missouri Valley Conferencewas Top 10 D1 leader in most offensive categories)
- Breanna Roper – Georgia Tech (ACC)
- Lindsey Warick – Missouri (SEC)
- Ari Quinones – Washington (Pac-12)
- Paris Woods – Syracuse (ACC)
Concludes Moore: “These are just some of the players committed to come to the Florida Gulf Coast League with many more committed and teams. As of now, we are still accepting application or referrals.”
Interested players can register at www.FLgulfcoastleague.com
Here is the article we did initially last fall on the launch of the Florida Gulf Coast League…
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Event News: Florida Gulf Coast League Starting Collegiate Softball in 2020
Originally published by August 12, 2019
The Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL), capitalizing on a successful inaugural summer baseball season, is expanding to include collegiate softball for summer 2020.
According to the event organizers, “This will be the first softball summer league of its kind and is designed to provide the collegiate player with a playing and training experience not offered in any other capacity.”
The league will consist of 12 teams located in the Tampa Bay area stretching from Clearwater to Sarasota.
Rosters will be capped at 16 players per team and all must be current collegiate players, with a very limited exception of two signed high school graduates per team.
The season will begin in June and will consist of a 30-game schedule which will include an All-Star/Parent Weekend, as well as special events throughout the season. Players will also have access to indoor facilities for training.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled at starting a league specific to college softball players,” said FGCL Executive Director Ryan Moore. “Softball continues to grow and we want to be part of that. These athletes have never had an opportunity like this and we, as a board, are committed to them and in growing the game.”
Added Moore: “They’re not just playing games, they’re developing their craft.”
College coaches will be able to place players in the FGCL to get additional reps and experience to accelerate their progress.
“When they go back to school,” continued the league’s director, “they will have the extra at-bats and extra work in to be able to compete right away for a starting spot on their team.”
The plan is to eventually add more teams and expand in 2021 as spots for the 2020 season are limited.
Already nearly six dozen players have registered including elite players from universities such as Florida, Central Florida, South Florida and the league is in discussion with top college programs from the SEC, Big 12, Big 10, American Athletic and other major conferences to place players.
“We want to have a competitive league, so there’s no just one dominant team,” explains Moore. “We will field teams with diversity that have talented Division I players as well as excellent Division II, III, NAIA and JC players.”
The FGCL is also talking to local corporations to provide internships for the summer so the athletes “can have a life-changing event and a potential career after softball ends.”
Registration for the FGCL has opened and can be found on the league website, www.flgulfcoastleague.com.
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Summer Events: The Florida Gulf Coast League Announces Amended Schedule
Originally published May 8, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
The Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) has amended its schedule for this summer’s season with the changes coming as a result of athletes and facilities being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes will arrive in Florida for orientation on Sunday, June 14.
Beginning on Monday of that week, players will begin team practices and warm-ups with a three-day mini-camp. League officials added the camp to assist players in acclimating back to playing following the extended break, as well as to provide the opportunity to become acquainted with coaches and teammates.
Opening day for all teams will be held on Thursday, June 18.
Additional dates to note include the all-star game on Saturday, July 18, and playoffs which will begin the week of July 19. The championship game is planned for Tuesday, July 21.
The FGCL is a 501C-3 organization based out of Bradenton, Fla. The league will host its inaugural softball season this summer.
So far, three of the teams in the Florida Gulf Coast League have released rosters for the summer 2020 season. Two more, the Lynx and the Impact should be next week.
Click HERE to see the Pioneers roster
Click HERE to see the Myakka City River Mocs roster
Click HERE to see the Bradenton Slice roster
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The FGCL is a 501C-3 organization based out of Bradenton, Fl. The league is comprised of both softball and baseball teams that compete primarily at locations in Manatee, Sarasota and Pinellas Counties on the gulf coast of Florida. FGCL baseball played its inaugural season in summer 2019 while softball will start its season in June this year.
The Florida Gulf Coast League can be followed on its website at flgulfcoastleague.com and via social media at Twitter: @FGCLSoftball, Facebook: @FGCLsoftball and Instagram: fgcl_softball.
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Event News: Florida Gulf Coast League Releases Summer Schedule; First Game June 18
Originally published June 12, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
The Fastpitch Gulf Coast League released its summer schedule today with the first games to take place next Thursday, June 18.
Orientation begins this Sunday and with a full week of preparation leading to the kickoff of the summer season next week.
Beginning on Monday, players on all seven teams will begin team practices and warm-ups with a three-day mini-camp.
Additional dates to note include the All-Star Game on Saturday, July 18, and playoffs which will begin the week of July 19. The championship game is planned for Tuesday, July 21.
League officials added the camp to assist players in acclimating back to playing following the extended break, as well as to provide the opportunity to become acquainted with coaches and teammates.
The games will be live streamed (details and more information to be released this weekend).
Here are the ROSTERS of all 7 teams participating this summer:
Click HERE to see the Fastpitch U roster
Click HERE to see the Manatee Squeeze roster
Click HERE to see the Impact roster
Click HERE to see the Lynx roster
Click HERE to see the Pioneers roster
Click HERE to see the Myakka City River Mocs roster
Click HERE to see the Bradenton Slice roster
The FGCL is a 501C-3 organization based out of Bradenton, Florida. The league is comprised of both softball and baseball teams that compete primarily at locations in Manatee, Sarasota and Pinellas Counties on the gulf coast of Florida.
FGCL baseball played its inaugural season in summer 2019 while softball begins this summer.
The Florida Gulf Coast League can be followed on its website at flgulfcoastleague.com and via social media at Twitter: @FGCLSoftball, Facebook: @FGCLsoftball and Instagram: fgcl_softball.
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Here is the complete summer schedule including this week’s orientation and mini-camps:
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Florida Gulf Coast League Announces Opening Day Events This Thursday
Originally published June 14, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
The Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) will open its inaugural season on Thursday, June 18, at Palma Sola Park in Bradenton, Florida with softball legend and ESPN broadcaster Michele Smith at the event to throw in the first pitch of this history-making league.
One of the most recognizable names in softball, Smith is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, collegiate All-American and USA Softball Hall of Fame Honoree,
She is also currently ESPN’s lead college softball color analyst and one of the voices for the network’s broadcasting of the Women’s College World Series.
A graduate of Oklahoma State University, she currently resides in Florida.
Joining Smith at the first pitch ceremony will be Shelly Riker, a member of Univ. of South Florida Softball Hall of Fame. Riker was a four-year starter at USF and holds records for stolen bases at the university.
Currently, Riker is the executive and youth pastor at the Church on the Rock in Palmetto, Florida.
The emcee will be Gray Robertson, an SEC Network+ broadcaster, Crimson Tide Sports Network softball analyst and co-host of the Out of the Box podcast.
The FGCL is a 501C-3 organization based out of Bradenton, Fla. The league consists of seven teams competing over five weeks. Players represent more than 56 schools and all divisions of collegiate softball.
Click HERE to see the 2020 Summer Schedule for the Florida Gulf Coast League and roster of the teams
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Event News: Florida Gulf Coast League All-Star Game & Home Run Derby Set for Saturday
Originally published July 14, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
The Florida Gulf Coast League has announced the rosters for its All-Star Game and Home Run Derby set for his Saturday at the Lakewood Ranch Softball Complex in Bradenton, Florida.
The Home Run Derby kicks off the night’s action at 5 pm EST with awards to be given out at 6 pm and the All-Star Game to follow at 6:30 pm
The rosters for the All-Star teams, named appropriately as Sun and Surf to determine who wins “The battle of the beach”, can be found below.
The Home Run Derby participants include Riley Ludlam, Maddi Banks, Lizzie Shubert, Haley Lee, Mack Leonard, Sarah Longley, Nikki Cuchran and Taylor Johnson.
The cost is $10; those who can’t attend in person can watch the events on Stream Live Tampa, the online service that also streams the regular season games.
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Event News: Florida Gulf Coast League Softball Wraps Up Successful First Season
Originally published July 29, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
In a year that saw the COVID-19 pandemic wipe out softball seasons ranging from high school to NCAA to the pro’s (and let’s not forget the Olympics), this summer in Florida proved to be a very welcome respite for softball players and fans yearning for action on the field.
“A miracle happened this summer,” FGCL Executive Director Ryan Moore told Extra Inning Softball today, “and that’s exactly what took place in that we were able to organize the league and get it done. Without the support of the local officials and the State of Florida this doesn’t happen and I have to give the county officials credit too; they worked hard to get softball and baseball in and get life back to normal.”
The Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) wrapped up its successful inaugural summer softball season last week with the Myakka City River Mocs exciting 10-9 victory over the Manatee Squeeze in the championship game at the Lakewood Ranch Sports Complex.
Georgia Southern University catcher Allyssah Mullis drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the bottom of the sixth and finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBI.
Not surprisingly, the Mocs captured many of the top honors awarded by the league.
FGCL Coach of the Year Michaela Transue led the River Mocs to a 21-2 record this season, while league Most Valuable Player Mack Leonard (Illinois State) and Offensive Player of the Year Lizzie Shubert (Stetson) helped power her lineup.
Congrats to Coach Transue’s double achievements this summer:
Your 2020 Coach of the Year amd FGCL champ! @MichaelaTransue pic.twitter.com/Zuxlmtddo3
— Myakka City RiverMocs (@River_MocSB) July 22, 2020
To the victors go the spoils (or sweet rings, in this case!):
Congratulations to the Myakka City RiverMocs, the 2020 FGCL Champs! Here is your championship ring mold, see you in the three months! 🐍🥎
@FGCLsoftball pic.twitter.com/werpsOYkJt— Myakka City RiverMocs (@River_MocSB) July 23, 2020
More on, and from, League MVP Mack Leonard:
𝐀 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞@mackleonard31's summer softball experience is coming to a close with @FGCLsoftball and @River_MocSB. Check out what she had to say in her final blog ⤵️https://t.co/WK9NRtL2Ot
— Illinois State Softball (@RedbirdsSB) July 24, 2020
Another member of the Mocs team, Truett McConnell pitcher Karley Hobbs, was selected as the FGCL’s Breakthrough Athlete.
The other honorees:
- For the league runner-up Squeeze, Washington infielder Stormy Kotzelnick earned Rookie of the Year.
- The Slice had Shannon Saile (Oklahoma) and Kinsey Goelz (Florida) recognized with the Pitcher of the Year and Humanitarian Award, respectively.
- The Lynx’s Haley Lee (Texas A&M) earned the Defensive Player of the Year nod.
- The Pioneers’ Megan Pierro (South Florida) scored the People’s Choice award in the season-ending honors.
Hobbs, Kotzelnick, Lee, Leonard, Mullis, Saile and Shubert were also members of the 19-player All-Star squad that took on the USSSA Pride in an exhibition series on July 22-24 at USSSA Space Coast Stadium.
Other members of the All-Star Team were:
- Maddi Banks (Virginia Tech/Slice)
- Gabby Benson (Georgia State/River Mocs)
- Nikki Cuchran (Northwestern/Squeeze)
- Devyn Flaherty (Florida State/Lynx)
- Taylor Gilmore (Colorado State/Pioneers)
- Neleigh Herring (Wichita State/Slice)
- Jensen Howell (Northwestern State/Impact)
- Jenny Jansen (Southern Illinois/River Mocs)
- Sarah Longley (Florida/Fastpitch U)
- Riley Ludlam (Furman/Slice)
- Breanna Roper (Georgia Tech/Slice)
- Kenna Wilkey (Northwestern/Squeeze)
Games for the seven league teams during the five-week season were held at either Palma Sola Park or the Lakewood Ranch Sports Complex.
More than 90 players represented 56 schools and all divisions of collegiate softball, and provided some live softball competition for the players after their 2020 school seasons were cancelled.
The live stream of the championship game garnered 3,000 views online.
Executive Director Moore said the first year was successful because of the people involved.
“I was amazed at how good the coaches were and how extremely close and tight these teams became,” he added. “These players came from all over the country and to watch them gel and come together, I was thrilled at how that transpired. The coaches were excellent, the talent level was good and the league will continue to attract players from all over and the players learned a lot about themselves.”
The FGCL leader says this season was only the beginning.
“The entire experience was amazing and we will be expanding, to be announced in the fall.” Moore concluded. “We have plans to work with more sponsors and fund-raising and to grow, learning from our efforts this year. The USSSA Pride has invited us back next year for some bigger and better things and hopefully we can announce in the next month or two.”
Finally, you gotta love this… a young fan got to interact during the All-Star Game with one of her softball idols and has a souvenir she’ll likely treasure for a long time!
Very proud of Stormy, never live bigger than the game. This 10yr old, called Stormy over during the game, and asked for an autograph. Makes a momma proud!!!! pic.twitter.com/XxZGbeLht5
— Kathy Kotzelnick (@KKotzelnick) July 23, 2020
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Florida Gulf Coast League Updates: After Successful 2020 Summer, League Expands to 10 Teams for 2021
Originally published Sept. 5, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
After a successful opening campaign in the summer of 2020, the Florida Gulf Coast League—the first collegiate softball league— has announced that the softball season for 2021 will include a 10th team, the newly-created Sarasota Circus.
Said a league official: “We opened registration on September 1, and following the response, we made the decision to move to 10 teams.”
The Myakka City River Mocs beat the Manatee Squeeze 10-9 in the July FGCL championship game at the Lakewood Ranch (Florida) Sports Complex. Other teams included the Lynx, Pioneers, Bradenton Slice, Fastpitch U and Impact.
The Circus will have one of the top players in the League to build around in FGCL Rookie of the Year Stormy Kotzelnick, the infielder for the Univ. of Washington who will be returning. Other key additions to the Circus are Jordyn Wolfe, an incoming senior who batted .324 for Louisville in 2020 and Florida International infielder Jocelyn Alonso.
Welcome to Sarasota Circus Softball, 2021 summer commit from @UofLSoftball, @JordynWolfe, coming to @FGCLsoftball summer 2021, the greatest show on dirt! @carsynmariee 🎪🥎 pic.twitter.com/wZqkyEipm0
— Sarasota Circus (@CircusSB) September 2, 2020
Carsyn Gordon, the who played at Florida State and was part of the Seminoles 2018 National Championship team, will serve as head coach and Aleima Lopez will be her assistant.
NEWCOMERS
Already, three highly-touted newcomers have been announced will play in the FGCL including Jessi Puk of Ole Miss who will play for the Slice. In the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season, Puk hit .324 with four doubles, three homeruns and 16 RBIs.
Welcome to the Bradenton Slice, 2021 summer commit from @OleMissSoftball, @jessi_puk, coming to @FGCLsoftball summer 2021! #sliceNdice 🍊@ginasnyder24 pic.twitter.com/LMIF3ZRcrb
— SliceSoftball (@BradentonSlice) September 4, 2020
The other newcomers announced are Jazzy Contreras of Oregon for the River Mocs and Kailey Christian of Delaware for the Pioneers.
RETURNERS
Several talented returning players have also been confirmed for the following teams:
- River Mocs: Lizzie Shubert, Ari Quinones and Claire Ginder
- Pioneers: Kara Saylor, Kayla Howald, Sophie Hannabas, Cammeo Presutti and Jordyn Petty
- The Squeeze: Kenna Wilkey
- Slice: Breanna Roper, Maddie McPherson, Riley Ludlam, Adi Reese, Neleigh Herring and Maddie Banks.
Welcome to the Bradenton Slice, 2021 summer commit from @OleMissSoftball, @MaddiBanks_29,
Coming to @FGCLsoftball summer 2021. #sliceNdice 🍊 pic.twitter.com/IKfR8ESAaC— SliceSoftball (@BradentonSlice) September 4, 2020
FINALIZED ROSTERS
Within the next two weeks, one to two new team announcements are expected and all teams should be in place by the end of September.
HOW TO SIGN UP
For players interested in joining the Florida Gulf Coast League for 2020, Click HERE to access the registration page.
For more information on the league go to FGCLSoftball.com.
