Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from the staff of Line Drive Softball!

We wrap up your three-part series sharing gratitude from the softball community about what they’re grateful for and today we at Line Drive Softball share our thanks to YOU… and all we get to do in the world of fastpitch…

*** Click HERE to read expressions of gratitude in Part 1 (Thur., Nov. 27, 2025)
*** Click HERE to read expressions of gratitude in Part 2 (Fri., Nov. 28, 2025)

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This is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Softball…

Over the last two days, we’ve shared some of the responses we’ve received from several in the softball world who were given the opportunity to express what they’re thankful for at this time of the year… and in their softball careers.

Today, we at Line Drive get to share what WE are thankful for after as we wrap Year No. 2 in our covering this great sport.

First, I’m grateful to follow these great fastpitch softball players who impress me every time I see them on the field.

Unlike their boys counterparts—who more often than not are thinking about getting to the professional levels and the big $$$ that brings—these female athlete are primarily playing for the love of the game and the chance to get to college to get an education.

Second, I’m thankful for the parents and families of athletes who support them. The travel and costs behind playing at the highest levels at all levels can be extreme and there are certainly many who donate their time and finances to help dreams come true.

Third, more and more, I’m very appreciative of the coaches at all levels who give their time— often years and sometimes decades— to help the athletes they work with grow and develop.

How often do we see a coach—let’s say in the travel world—enter the coaching space to work with their daughter and years later are still coaching because they love to instruct and teach?

Fourth, I’m thankful for the growth in our sport at the pro level. The one thing I’ve always been disappointed in our sport is that there hasn’t been the profitable and viable platform past the college level for softball players to make a living playing fastpitch softball professionally.

However, this year saw some positive develops in that front and we expect to see more in 2026 with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) and the Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF).

Fifth, on a personal level, I’m so grateful for our staff including Carlos Arias and our new Social Media Director, Grace White (see her note below).

I’m especially happy this year to have been able to go to almost every softball event, including college, high school and travel ball events—such as:

• Last Blast,
• The Spring Games,
• Top Gun,
• The Patriot Games,
• PGF Nationals and,
• The Clearwater Fall Classic

… with my beautiful and talented wife, Shannon Eads (read her gratitude notes below).

Shannon helps cut and edit video for us as well and is a wonderful support for me in doing the job I love. As one coach I really respect wrote to me this week: “Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wife and happy to see you happy again!”

That is SO true!

Finally, I’m thankful for what’s happened this year to help grow the sport and the exciting opportunities to come in 2026.

We’ll be doing more next year involving:

• international and pro softball coverage,
• an expansion of content in mental and physical training,
• Rising Stars… those who will be the next generation of talent,
• doing more to build our social media presence,
• more 1^st person perspectives from the athletes and coaches,
• our typical coverage that includes everything from player and team rankings to recruiting to event reporting to human interest stories.

As always, we want to hear from YOU… what you want US to cover. Any ideas to share, email me at: Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com.

Now… on to the end of year Christmas and New Year’s holidays which will include our Top 15 Softball Stories of 2025!

— Brentt Eads, Line Drive Senior Executive Editor`

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God has blessed me abundantly this year, and I truly have so much to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for my job with Line Drive and for Brentt, Carlos, Shannon, and Garrett believing in me and my abilities.

I’m thankful for the families who trust me to work with their players on fielding and hitting.

I’m thankful for my family and how they support me in my dreams.

I’m thankful for all of the experiences I’ve been able to have from climbing a mountain in Colorado to standing front row at a Skillet concert.

And I’m thankful for how God has been pursuing me and convicting me.

I could go on and on and on, but in short, it’s been a great year, and I’m excited for what’s to come!

Grace White, Line Drive Softball Social Media Director

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I’m grateful for my husband, my children, my parents and extended family and friends and the faith that keeps our family steady even when life feels like too much.

I’m grateful for the chance to build and create with purpose, trusting that God opens the right doors when I’m willing to do the work.

I’m grateful that the hardest chapters in my life didn’t break my faith and now I can use the lessons learned.

— Shannon Eads, Line Drive Softball Contributor (& Great Supporter!)