One thing to know about the Line Drive Hot 100 player rankings: they are not static but are ever-changing from year to year as more and more top players emerge and are recognized.

Earlier this year, we launched the first-ever 2029 Hot 100 and the talent and accomplishments of these young players we profiled was amazing—even at such a very young age.

One of the top teams at that 12U age division is the Alabama Sparks Elite team headed by coaches Jeff Cowan and Slade Stewart which is considered as one of the Top 10 caliber teams nationally and certainly one of the best in the Southeast.

This year already, the squad has gone 28-6-1 with first place finishes at the Florida Gulf Coast Spring Fling, the Music City Friendly and the USGF 14U in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Other Top 5 finishes include the Sparks taking second at the PGF TN Mojo Invite and fifth at the PGF Super Select Southern Championship

However, because of a variety of circumstances, a handful of deserving players weren’t factored in for the 2029 rankings (though no fault of their own).

The most regrettable omissions were of five outstanding players that compete for the Sparks.

Below is a closer look at the five 2029 standouts who help make the Sparks an elite team and, themselves have already received significant honors and will be in the next update of the rankings.

Players listed in alphabetical order by last name.

*****

Cree Bandy, 3B/UT, Alabama Sparks Elite

Cree is one of the most humble athletes I have coached. An athlete with pure, raw talent that is backed by a strong competitor spirit and a desire to constantly improve is dangerous. Cree has, no doubt, one of the strongest arms in our age division with incredible accuracy. She is extremely coachable but possesses one of the main things you cannot teach – true grit. She is one whose stats do not showcase the level of athlete she truly is. She is disciplined at bat and hits for power, leading our team in home runs this past fall while driving in 61 RBIs for the season. She finished the spring with a .429 OBP. Cree has the ability to play any position on the field including catching and pitching, but remains a steady wall for her infield at 3rd base showcasing her great glove. Cree earned a .935 fielding percentage in the spring over a 71-game season. Her 2023 season with Sparks ended with a 100-18-3 record. A true scholar athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field for her school, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Tournaments Participated In (with finish results):

• USA Bolts Invitational (Champions)
• USA Rising Stars (Runner Up)
• USA Thunder on the Mountain (Champions)
• USSSA 2k11 Southern Elite 12U Invitational (Runner Up)
• USSSA Angels for Autism (Champions)
• PGF Super Select 11U Championship – Columbia (Top 5)
• PGF Super Select 11U Championship – Hoover (Runner Up)
• Jim Frost Memorial Tournament (Champions)
• USSSA Road to the Show OKC (3rd place)
• USA Summer Slam (Champions)
• PGF Gladiator (3rd Place)
• Music City World Series (Champions)
• Maggie’s Rules (Champions)
• USSSA Fall World Series (Runner Up)

*****

Hartley Hurt, P/UT, Alabama Sparks Elite

Hartley is one of the most mentally tough athletes we have played with or against. Her positive demeanor is so strong and infectious, it can raise an entire team’s morale. Her stats prove she is a gifted athlete, coupled with her strong work ethic, make her a fierce competitor. A leader when in the circle, great bat speed at the plate and a head smart baserunner allowing her to be a leader for the team and a favorite teammate. She batted .425 last fall and secured 41 RBIs for her team in the spring. Her aggressiveness on the bases earned her 41 steals in the spring. Hartley recorded over 100 Ks for the 2023 season with an ERA 1.35 for the Fall season while competing in the highest-level tournaments such as PGF. The definition of a true utility player, when Hartley is not in the circle or covering the line at 3rd base, she can play anywhere on the field competitively. Selected as a USA Softball 12U All American as a first year 12U. Hartley is a multi-sport athlete playing basketball for her school and also competing at the higher level, playing in AAU tournaments while maintaining her status on the A/B honor roll. Both her mother and father played college basketball.

Tournaments Participated In (with finish results):

• USA Softball 12U-All American Games- OKC
• PGF Bolts Invitational
• PGF Super 11U Select Southern Champions (4th out of 48 teams)
• PGF Southeast Regionals (Runner-Up)
• PGF Halloween Bash (Champions)
• Jim Frost Memorial Championship – 2010 Division
• USSA Fall World Series (5th Place)

*****

McKenzie “KK” Morin, P/UT, Alabama Sparks Elite

McKenzie or “KK” as she’s also known played her 1st season with Alabama Sparks Elite this past fall. She is a talented multi-positional athlete. KK is a tough out at the plate, with very few strike outs, displays patience to wait on a walk and disciplined to work the count, yet aggressive enough to earn 19 RBIs this fall season. Once on base, her combination of speed and base running IQ puts constant pressure on opponents, gaining 16 steals for the season. In the fall, she finished with a .388 batting average and .494 OBP for Sparks. Over the last 18 months, going back to the fall of 2022 playing A level 12U and 14U as well as against 8^th grade competition as a 6^th and 7^th grader, McKenzie played in 163 games with 180 hits, a .526 batting average, a .584 on-base percentage and a jaw-dropping 133 steals while only being caught twice! For school ball, she earned a lead off position and batted .579 for her Buford Middle School 7th grade team and was also one of the team’s two pitchers. KK has gained much of her mental toughness from being a multi-sport athlete, as she also competes year-round as an elite Level 10 Gymnast. Family-wise, her father was a collegiate track athlete and her brother played college baseball. Impressively, KK maintains straight A’s while being a multi-sport athlete.

Tournaments Participated In :

• USSSA Fall World Series – Alabama
• Diamond Sports – Arkansas
• USSSA MS 14U State Championship
• USSSA GA All State Game
• USSSA Fall World Series – Alabama,
• PGF Super Select – TN
• PGF IIU Super Select Championship
• USSA Spring World Series – FL
• PGF GA State Championship

*****

Beatrice Parker, UT, Alabama Sparks Elite

Beatrice joined AL Sparks Elite in the fall of 2023. Beatrice is the ideal teammate, always encouraging and building others up. She finished the fall season with .467 OBP and raking in 27 RBIs. She also wrapped up 2023 Fall with .933 OPS. Her adversity shines through as she does it all while managing her Type 1 Diabetes. She is a left-handed catcher that shows great talent and discipline behind the plate. Beatrice is a threat to runners because she showcases a strong arm mixed with good decision making and a quick pop time. This spring her competitive school program won the Birmingham Metro Tournament.

Tournaments Participated In (with finish results):

• USA Bolts Invitational (Champions)
• PGF Super Select 11U (Champions)
• USA Rising Stars (Runner Up)
• USSSA Thunder on the Mountain (Champions)
• USSSA 2k11 Southern Elite 12U Invitational (3rd Place)
• PGF Gladiator (3rd Place)
• Maggie’s Rules (Champions)
• USSSA Fall World Series (Runner Up)
• Jim Frost Memorial (Runner Up)
• USSSA March Madness (Champions)

*****

Darcy Tittle, MIF, Alabama Sparks Elite

Darcy is a strong middle infielder with high game IQ that compliments her aggressive yet graceful glove that her team depends on in the field.  She finished the fall season with a .949 fielding percentage.  Darcy is a disciplined athlete with an intensely strong work ethic.   Her dedication and goal-driven attitude allow her to come through during intense clutch situations for her team many times over, including bringing in 53 RBIs for the season.  A quick thinker on the bases, Darcy had 23 stolen bases this fall for a 100% stolen base percentage. She is a passionate teammate and unselfish leader on and off the field.  Darcy wrapped up the fall with a .404 batting average and .426 on base percentage.   Her 2023 season with AL Sparks Elite ended with a record of 100-18-3.  Darcy is a multi-sport athlete competing for her school in basketball and softball.

Tournaments Participated In (with finish results):

• USA Bolts Invitational (Champions)
• USA Rising Stars (Runner Up)
• USA Thunder on the Mountain (Champions)
• USSSA 2k11 Southern Elite 12U Invitational (Runner Up)
• USSSA Angels for Autism (Champions)
• PGF Super Select 11U Championship – Columbia (Top 5)
• PGF Super Select 11U Championship – Hoover (Runner Up)
• Jim Frost Memorial Tournament (Champions)
• USSSA Road to the Show OKC (3rd place)
• USA Summer Slam (Champions)
• PGF Gladiator (3rd Place)
• Music City World Series (Champions)
• Maggie’s Rules (Champions)
• USSSA Fall World Series (Runner Up)