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 Monday, June 2, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: GRACIE PAPLER

Uncommitted 2027 OF/RHP/UT Gracie Papler recently talked to Line Drive Media about So Cal Athletics National-Marinakis/Schimmel, PGF/Alliance Nationals, Michigan players, showcasing skills, Allen Park High, overcoming negativity, athletic family, future college, college camps, architectural design and interior design, math, Haley Cruse, “The Giving Tree,” Drake, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Hidden Figures” and braiding hair.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Gracie Papler

Hometown: Wyandotte, MI

High School: Wyandotte Roosevelt High

Club Team: So Cal Athletics National-Marinakis/Schimmel 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-5

Position/s: O/RHP/UT

Nickname: My team started calling me “GP” from my initials and it’s always just stuck.

Social Media: @GracePapler on Twitter

Honors: All-League, All-Downriver, All-Region and Metro Detroit Honorable Mention.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .412 AVG, 5 HRs, 38 RBIs.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .443 AVG, 3 HRs, 23 RBIs.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .511 AVG, 4 HRs, 30 RBIs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I was with the Firecrackers National and due to personal reasons my coach had to fold the team and Coach Kostas (Marinakis) reached out and it seemed like a great fit for me.

Tell us about your experience at PGF/Alliance Nationals? I’ve had really good experiences at PGFs and Alliance Nationals, but I enjoyed playing in the Alliance Nationals in Tennessee during the fall and got to play against some great teams and met some great people.

What makes players from the state of Michigan special? I think that players from Michigan are unique because we learn to play in all types of weather — hot and freezing cold — and we’re usually overlooked compared to athletes from states more down South or on the West Coast, so we play like we have something to prove.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight of the fall would be being able to showcase my skills in front of college coaches and I’ve been working on trying to correct my swing as much as possible.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? For my high school, the team that has been our toughest opponent to play is Allen Park (High) because they all have high softball IQ and they’re much fun to play.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I believe I was strong enough to overcome the negativity of some of my coaches I had when I was younger telling me that I wouldn’t be able to play at a high level and I wouldn’t be good enough.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Lilly Bunea, sister, equestrian; and Blake Papler, brother, baseball.

What are you looking for in a future college? To be able to finish my degree in four years while I continue to play softball and to have a great atmosphere that feels like home.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I have attended Central Michigan and Michigan and I would like to attend a camp in Auburn, Alabama, Coastal Carolina and Middle Tennessee.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in architectural design or interior design because I’ve always been interested in designing.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject to study is math because I catch on quick and do pretty good in it.

Who is your sports hero and why? Haley Cruse (who led Oregon to the WCWS twice) because she was so fun to watch growing up and I wanted to be just like her.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read is “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein because it’s a story about caring about others when they need it and unconditional love.

What’s the best hype song and why? “The Motto” by Drake and Lil Wayne because it always gets me hype.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Grey’s Anatomy” because it keeps me entertained.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie to watch is “Hidden Figures” because it’s about women, who had to overcome a lot of obstacles with no recognition.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is being able to braid my teammates’ hair.

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Show Me The Money is June 6-9 at Gainesville/Newberry, FL. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***PGF June Premier Invitational is June 7-9 in Irvine/Anaheim, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Triple Crown Zoom Into June is June 6-9 at Chino Hills/Riverside/Hemet, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Annsley Groce (2025, OF, Texas Glory/Keller High, TX, Texas A&M)

Thank you! Can’t wait!! https://t.co/urr54czUEU

— Annsley Groce (@annsley_groce) November 13, 2024

Maddie Sauni (2025, C, Arizona Rising-Appel/Hamilton High, HI, Texas A&M)

Piper White (2025, UT, Fury Platinum X-Higdon/Crockett County High, TN, Texas A&M)

can it get here any faster! ✍️✍️ pic.twitter.com/HO9zpyTBgX

— piper white 2025 (@piperwh55494217) November 19, 2024

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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 …

The first trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s ‘FRANKENSTEIN’ has been released.

Releasing in November on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/c08EviQOkT

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 1, 2025

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