Ten travel ball programs were selected by their peers as the 2025 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on Wednesday from its headquarters in Louisville, Ky.

Representing each of the NFCA’s 10 travel ball regions, these respective coaching staffs:

• Lady Dukes NY Select (Region I),
• Pennsbury Gems 14U National (Region II),
• Unity 2030 Fields (Region III),
• Top Gun 18 National (Region IV),
• Shockwaves National 16U (Region V),
• Texas Glory (Region VI),
• Firecrackers IL – Ring (Region VII),
• Midwest Speed 18U National – Holt (Region VIII),
• All American Sports Academy – Mortimer 18G (Region IX) and
• Charge Fastpitch (Region X)

… are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA Travel Ball National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on Oct. 1. 

Three head coaches — Zack Farber, Kevin Shelton and Bob Turner — are earning back-to-back honors, having led their teams to Regional Coaching Staff of the Year last year.

Farber earned Region I accolades with Saugerties Sonics 16U in 2024, while the other two won in their regions with the same organizations.

Coach Shelton of Texas Glory, tops in Region VI, told Line Drive this afternoon:

“The recognition for the staff, Keith Allen, Ryan Nicholson, Shane Williams & RJ Hoyt—who do most of the heavy lifting— is a result of the players’ Team First attitude, hard work, dedication and buy-in.  It is a pleasure to get to work with such a focused group.”

Another coach whose program was recognized was Coach Turner, head of Top Gun 18 National in Region IV.

“There are so many great programs and coaches out there,” Turner began, “so to be recognized as the Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year award winner, means a lot to our program.

“The success of our program is a huge credit to so many at Top Gun:  Zach Keiter, Shannon Troutman, Joe Sciara, Stephanie Kim, Ismael Vasquez, Justin Groves, Randy Walters, and Rey Alvarado.  Each of these folks have a great hand in the success of our national program and I can’t thank them enough for what they do.  In addition, a big thank you to our players and families, who are all in on supporting the program and maintaining the standard year over year.”

“We are grateful for the recognition from the NFCA and thankful for all they do for the sport of softball.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Convention in December!”

To be eligible, the program’s head coach must be an NFCA member and nominated for the honor. Winners were selected by a vote of member coaches in their respective region.

Here’s a close look at each of the 10 honored coaching staffs…

*****

Region I – Lady Dukes NY Select (N.Y.)

Head Coach: Zach Farber
Assistant Coaches: Gary Short, Todd Paserba

The team posted an impressive 63-19-3 record while playing a high-level college showcase schedule … Roster of 2026 and 2027 graduates boasts two Division I, one Division II and two Division III signees … Offensively, the team slashed .342/.435/.569 while racking up 238 extra-base hits, 189 stolen bases and 72 home runs (a jump from just 17 homers in 2024) … In the circle, the pitching staff posted a 3.02 ERA and recorded 382 strikeouts … The coaching staff was instrumental in player skill development, guiding athletes through the college recruiting process, and fostering a culture where each player felt valued.

*****

Region II – Pennsbury Gems 14U National (Pa.)

Head Coach: Jason Fidishun
Assistant Coaches: Erica (Cipolloni) Woodard, Matt Rittersbach, Brian Bunch

The team posted a 61-27-4 record in its final season before moving up together to form the new Pennsbury Gems Gold 18U team … The 2024-2025 14U National team played almost entirely up at the 16U and 18U levels in major showcases from Triple Crown, Xtreme Dimensions, Pennsbury Invitational, TNT Last Look and Team NJ, and included trips to Florida for the TCS Sunshine Classic and to Colorado for the Sparkler, where they held the No. 1 spot with 44 runs scored and just one allowed over four games against teams from Texas, Oklahoma and California … The coaching staff stresses individual accountability, team dynamics built on integrity, hard work, cohesive teammate interaction, and intentional commitment to the game and each other.

*****

Region III – Unity 2030 Fields (Va.)

Head Coach: Jason Fields
Assistant Coach: Jeremy Holmes

Coaching staff is dedicated to the development of the players in-game and as good people off the field …  Team compiled a 90-15-1 record for the year … Accomplishments included nine tournament wins with two coming playing up at the 14U level, plus a top-six finish at the PGF 12U Super Select Championship, a third-place showing (tier II) at the Alliance Fastpitch Championship series, and a championship at the USSSA Winter Nationals.

*****

Region IV – Top Gun 18 National (Fla.)

Head Coach: Bob Turner
Assistant Coaches: Zach Keiter, Shannon Troutman

Team went perfect 8-0 at the Triple Crown National Championship, outscoring their opponents 77-34 en route to the crown … Fifth-place finish at the Top Gun Invitational and reached the final four of the invite-only USA Softball OKC Summer Games before the semifinals were rained out … Finished the year ranked 11th nationally in Softball America 18U rankings and will be a top-12 ranked team again when the U.S. Club Rankings are published later this fall … Coaching staff prides itself on playing the toughest schedule possible while having a team of high character, respectful players … They are committed to helping grow the game in the Midwest and Southeast through their camps and personalized instruction.

*****

Region V – Shockwaves National 16U (Ind.)

Head Coach: Randi Amt

Coach Amt has put together a successful program that is officially moving up to the 16U level this year … As a 14U team this summer, they played in all 16U/HS tournaments and were very competitive against older talent … Team is full of grit, determination and a true love of the game and expects to win a lot in the future.

*****

Region VI – Texas Glory (Texas)

Head Coach: Kevin Shelton
Assistant Coaches: Keith Allen, Ryan Nicholson, Shayne Williams, RJ Howerton

Team won the 2025 18U TFL Summer Championship and 18U TPC Texas State Championship … Finished second at the 2025 18U TPC P5 Patriots Games and was runner-up at the 2024 18U TFL Championship … Team placed fifth at the 18U AFCS Nationals.

*****

Region VII – Firecrackers IL Ring (Ill.)

Head Coach: Adam Ring
Assistant Coaches: Emma Fionda, Rob Chapman

Competing at the highest levels of travel ball, the staff guided the team to an overall record of 91-32-5, playing against a consistently-rigorous schedule that included some of the nation’s premier programs and athletes … The team’s success extended deep into the postseason, with notable finishes at the TCS Sunshine Classic, Colorado Sparkler, Chicago Wildcats PGF Summer Showdown and the USSSA SE Nationals … Staff has created a culture that emphasizes growth, accountability and gratitude — developing players not only as athletes, but as young women preparing for the next level of competition.

*****

Region VIII – Midwest Speed 18U National Holt (Minn.)

Head Coach: Tori Holt
Assistant Coach: Mike Orth

Team captured the Alliance Tier 2 National Championship and won the Minnesota USSSA State Championship … Overall record was 53-20-2 … Nine of the players have committed to NCAA Division I schools, two will attend D2 institutions and one is headed to a junior college … Team is one of the most successful squads in Minnesota club softball history in terms of college placement and success on the field.

*****

Region IX – All American Sports Academy Mortimer 18G (Calif.)

Head Coach: Shannon Mortimer
Assistant Coaches: Oliver Sanchez & Chris Gerochi

The staff worked diligently to achieve well-rounded success at a national level, in the classroom, and in the community … Was the last Northern California team standing (13th-place finish) at the Colorado Sparkler Power Pool and was one of two Northern California squads left (finished 17th) at PGF Nationals Premier … Mortimer also led Triple Crown Team Japan to an undefeated gold medal, and the staff coached the Triple Crown All-World game in Colorado, with Mortimer receiving the 2025 Triple Crown Ben McKinney Memorial Coaches Award.

*****

Region X – Charge Fastpitch (Wash.)

Head Coach: Jaime Colyar
Assistant Coaches: Aaron Colyar, Jim Britton, Carlena Schluneger, Patrick Brown-Hayes, and Jason Royals

Had a record-breaking season based in a competitive and inclusive team culture that prioritizes character, sportsmanship and resilience … Team batted .321 and had a team OBP of .459 — the highest in organization history — resulting in hardware earned at three tournaments … Positive, growth-focused environment has led to full roster retention moving forward to the 2026 season.

*****

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded awards program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to and extensive drills database, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining its lineup of over 7,000 coaches today.