Get on board with Line Drive Media’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!

We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.

To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at carlos.arias@linedrivemedia.com, DM at @los_stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.

Here’s our TFP for Tuesday, July 30, 2024:

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THE FINAL PITCH: JAYCEE MCCARTER

Uncommitted 2029 RHP/3B Jaycee McCarter recently talked to Line Drive Media about Beverly Bandits Premier-George, reaching the PGF 10 Premier Nationals final, Corona Angels-Tyson, self-doubt, future college, anesthesiologist, English, Kaleah McCarter, Cardi B, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Sandlot” and Fortnite.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Jaycee McCarter

Hometown: McCordsville, IN

Middle School: Fall Creek Junior High

Club Team: Beverly Bandits Premier-George 12U

Graduation Year: 2029

Height: 5-6

Position/s: RHP/3B

Nickname: “Jay,” just through softball people started calling me Jay. It’s half of my first name and has stuck with me ever since.

Social Media: @JayceeMcCarter on Twitter

Honors: Two-time USA Softball All-American, 3rd place at PGF 10U Premier National (2021), runner-up at PGF 10U Premier Nationals (2022) and Offense MVP at USSSA Midwest National Championship (2024).

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats (So Far): Hitting — .381 AVG, .420 OBP, 1.032 OPS, .612 SLG, 53 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 23 runs and 7 SBs; Pitching — 120.2 IP, 15-1, 187 Ks, 1.45 ERA, .936 WHIP, .164 BAA and .963 fielding percentage.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started playing for a local travel team near me, but then decided to try out for a higher level organization my 9U year to see where I stood at that level. I tried out for Beverly Bandits’ 10U team and made it. I am now on my fourth season with the Bandits.

What did you learn from your team’s run to the PGF 10U Premier national title game in 2022 that you will bring to PGF Nationals this summer? Focus on one game at a time. Soak in every moment. Not everyone gets this opportunity to play in a place like Huntington Beach and have the opportunity to play on TV if you make to the end. This year, I plan to bring the same energy and hopefully help my team get to another championship opportunity!

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Corona Angels-Tyson in the PGF 12U championship this year in Tennessee. We had to fight all the way to the end with no score through 7 innings. We played three ITB innings and ended with the win. I pitched all 10 innings and helped my team get the win to advance to the semifinals. We then went on to win the PGF 12U championship.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I would say I have faced self doubt and fear of failure whether it be pitching or hitting. Like sometimes I have a bad game or even a bad start like in the championship at 10U, but then I know I need to work harder and know it’s a small moment that I will get past and build/learn from.

What are you looking for in a future college? Good education to help me with my goal to becoming an anesthesiologist. Opportunities to grow myself and my softball game. A college that challenges and pushes me to be better every day.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Anesthesiology, because I watched my dad go through school to becoming a CRNA. He has inspired me and I love to hear about his day and how many people’s lives he helps.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? English, because I like taking notes and writing. I get to express myself and my experiences through my writing.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is my older sister, Kaleah McCarter. Having her beside me through all our workouts pushes me to be better whether they are at home in our basement or at lessons, challenges me and supports me through everything!

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I’m not really a book reader except when I have to for school. I’d rather wait until the movie is made.

What’s the best hype song and why? I have multiple favorite songs, but my walk-up song now is “Enough” by Cardi B.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Grey’s Anatomy.” I love any medical shows, but this has been my favorite by far!

What’s your favorite movie and why? “The Sandlot.” This one is a favorite since it is “softball”-related. I like watching the guys play baseball and then finally getting to see the “beast” at the end of the movie was really good.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I love to play Fortnite on my downtime. I’m actually really good at it! I’ll play solo rounds, but also love to play squads with my dad and two sisters, Kaleah and Lilliana.

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Nationals is July 29-Aug. 4 in Orange County, CA. Follow the tournament online HERE.

***Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) for 14U & 12U are July 28-Aug. 4 in Southern California. Follow the tournament online HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Kalie Matsuno (2025, 2B/3B, OC Batbusters-Stith/Black/Los Alamitos High, CA, Florida)

pic.twitter.com/XeFXpCvafX

— Kalie Matsuno (@kalie_matsuno) December 1, 2023

Savannah Lira (2025, 3B/C, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Norco High, CA, Southern Utah)

Very excited to announce my commitment to Southern Utah University! Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me and guiding me to pursue my dreams of playing D1 softball! Go TBirds ❤️⚡️ #suu @SUUSoftball @CoachDonDon @Laurinwatts pic.twitter.com/P0BKA89uZY

— Savannah Lira (@Vannah3oh) October 7, 2023

Reese Ferrel (2025, 2B/RF, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/JSerra High, CA, George Washington)

Reece Uehara (2025, 1B/P/UT, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Mission Viejo High, CA, Princeton)

Kaylee Layfield (2024, 2B/3B/OF, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/JSerra High, CA, George Washington)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭! 🖊️

We are thrilled to announce @Klayfield2024 is joining the GW family! 💙💛

Out of Yorba Linda, Calif., Kaylee hit .400, drove in 26 runs and had a 1.070 OPS in her junior season!#RaiseHigh | #Together pic.twitter.com/OFYeWBrcin

— GW Softball (@GW_Softball) November 9, 2023

Nona Peyton-Johnson (2025, 1B/3B, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Sierra Canyon High, CA, Cal)

Catherine Benitez (2025, 3B/C, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Pacifica High, CA, UC Santa Barbara)

Congratulations to Jr. Cat Benitez on her commitment to UC Santa Barbara. Cat has been a 3-yr varsity player and was a major part of the Mariners ‘23 CIF Championship. Cat leads by example on a daily basis. Congratulations @_catbenitez11 @ocvarsity @UCSBSoftball @ocbatbusters pic.twitter.com/YymqmVPACB

— Pacifica High School Softball🥎 (@PacHS_Softball) February 14, 2024

Alyssa Grajeda (2025, 1B, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/JSerra High, CA BYU)

Bleeding Blue 💙 
My journey is just getting started…💙🤍
GO COUGS #committed @D1Softball @JSerraAthletics @byusoftball
 pic.twitter.com/Ub0jfeYtGX

— Alyssa Grajeda (@AlyssaGrajeda33) November 29, 2023

Ilo Brittingham (2024, OF/C, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Oaks Christian High, CA, BYU)

Congratulations to my niece ILO Brittingham on her commitment to BYU ! pic.twitter.com/gx2bRsGIUh

— Ray Lefotu (@LefotuRay) November 3, 2023

Addison Moorman (2025, P, OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon/Granada Hills High, CA, Lehigh)

Go Mountain Hawks! #committed pic.twitter.com/WNMUMHoLi2

— Addison Moorman (@AMoorman2025) November 5, 2023

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HSOTD

Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …

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BTITW

Today’s Best Thing In The World is …

Presenting Victor Von Doom.

Robert Downey Jr. stars in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters May 2026. #SDCC

pic.twitter.com/P34bBScrGm

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 28, 2024

— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)