These programs are shaping the Class of 2029—and the nomination window is closing fast
Momentum is building nationwide, and the data is impossible to ignore.
As the Class of 2029 nomination period approaches its final days, one thing is clear: an abundance of families, coaches, and organizations are positioning their athletes for the most thorough and accurate evaluation possible. With nominations officially closing on January 12, the clock is ticking for those who have not yet submitted.
Across the country, participation trends are already telling a story—and some regions are clearly stepping up faster than others. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
For the Class of 2029, early nominations are not optional. They are strategic.
With thousands of athletes under review and an unprecedented volume of submissions, the programs moving first are giving their players the most valuable asset in the rankings process: time.
These 30 Softball Organizations Already Nominated
(Listed in order from most nominations to least)
Order Program 1 Firecrackers 2 Bombers 3 TN Mojo 4 Athletics Mercado 5 Bandits 6 Impact Caymol 7 Birmingham Thunderbolts 8 Fury 9 Lady Dukes 10 LTG Lions 11 Unity 12 Carolina Elite 13 Extreme 14 Batbusters 15 Buzz Fastpitch 16 Explosion 17 Hotshots 18 Indiana Magic 19 Top Gun 20 CA Grapettes 21 Indiana Gators 22 Ohio Outlaws 23 Tampa Mustangs 24 Texas Blaze 25 Texas Glory 26 Corona Angels 27 EC Bullets 28 Epic National 29 Athletics Premier 30 Blaze Academy Note* These results reflect nomination data current as of January 1 at 4:30 p.m. MT, and the player photos displayed are not representative of the athletes currently nominated or included in this data set.
This list reflects more than volume. It highlights which organizations understand advocacy, exposure, and preparation—and are actively ensuring their athletes are part of the national evaluation conversation from the beginning.
If your organization is not listed yet, there is still time—but the window is closing quickly.
Early Nominations Create a Competitive Advantage
At Extra Inning Softball, nominations are not dropped into a system and auto-ranked.
While we utilize preparatory and proprietary software to organize, track, and analyze athlete data at scale, rankings are ultimately determined through a strategic evaluation process guided by deep knowledge of the game. Our rankings algorithm is informed by experience, context, competition level, and long-term player development—not shortcuts.
Early nominations allow our team to:
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Track athletes across a broader competitive window
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Compare performances against verified competition
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Cross-reference positional impact and progression
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Reduce late-stage data gaps that can affect placement
Software prepares the data. Expert evaluation interprets it. That balance—technology paired with softball IQ—is what separates Extra Inning Softball rankings from surface-level lists. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
Tournament Participation: Why Details Matter
One of the most critical—and often misunderstood—components of the rankings process is tournament participation.
Recently, Extra Inning Softball completed an internal initiative to rank top tournaments nationwide, assigning weighted values based on competition depth, regional and national strength, and overall event quality. These internal tournament rankings are now a key input within our evaluation framework.
Because of this:
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Not all tournaments carry equal weight
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Where an athlete competes matters—not just how often
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Listing every tournament played is essential for accurate evaluation
Incomplete tournament histories limit context. Complete data strengthens evaluation integrity.
For coaches and parents, this means one thing: thorough nominations matter. The more accurate the competitive picture, the more precise the ranking outcome.
What’s Next for the Class of 2029?
In addition to the standard rankings process, the Class of 2029 will be part of an exciting new featured rankings initiative, designed to add even greater clarity and structure to national evaluations. While details remain under wraps, a public announcement is scheduled for February 3, 2026.
Athletes already in the system will be best positioned as this next phase rolls out. Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
A Message to Parents and Organization Leaders
Parents—speak up and encourage your coach and organization leaders to nominate your player.
If your athlete has not yet been nominated, now is the time to act. We strongly encourage nominations to be submitted through coaches and organization leadership, as they provide essential competitive context that supports accurate evaluation.
If a coach or organization leader does not have the time to complete the nomination, parents are welcome to submit on their athlete’s behalf. However, whenever possible, working through a coach or organization leader remains the preferred and most effective path.
Organization leaders—this is the moment to advocate for your athletes. Visibility starts with participation.
Final Call to Action
Nominations close January 12 at the end of the day.
Nominate your 2029 player HERE!
If you are a coach—nominate your players now.
If you are an organization leader—lead from the front.
If you are a parent—make the ask today.
The organizations on this list understood the urgency early.
There is still time to join them—but not much.
Extra Inning Softball
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