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 Instagram or text (949) 606-3602.

Here’s our TFP for Friday, Aug. 14, 2026:

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THE FINAL PITCH: KENDALL JOHNSON

Uncommitted 2029 1B/OF Kendall Johnson recently talked to Line Drive Media about Midwest Speed, Alliance Nationals, Minnesota players, Corona Angels-Tyson, injuries, Brady Johnson, future college, college camps, psychology and business, science and English, Jordy (Bahl) Frahm, mystery books, Alicia Keys, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Hunger Games” and baking sourdough.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Kendall Johnson

Hometown: Rosemount, MN

High School: Rosemount High

Club Team: Midwest Speed National-Holt 15U

Graduation Year: 2029

Height: 5-7

Position/s: 1B/OF

Nickname: “KJ” or “Kenny,” (by) my teammates.

Social Media: @kendalljohn25 on Twitter

Honors: USSSA World Fastpitch Championship Tournament MVP (2026), All-Section (2026), Honorable Mention All-Conference (2026), Perfect Game Tournament MVP (2025) and USA 12U All-American (2024).

Travel Ball Fall 2025 Stats: .444 AVG, 1.227 OPS, .709 SLG, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HRs, 34 RBIs and 50 runs.

High School Spring 2026 Stats: .442 AVG, 1.165 OPS, .698 SLG, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs, 35 RBIs and 27 runs.

Travel Ball Summer 2026 Stats: .447 AVG, 1.228 OPS, .747 SLG, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HRs, 43 RBIs and 43 runs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have been playing for Midwest Speed for the past two years. As the top softball club in Minnesota, Speed has provided me with incredible opportunities to develop my skills while competing in the top tournaments in the US. Playing for Midwest Speed has allowed me to grow. both as a player and as a teammate while pursuing my goal of playing softball at the collegiate level. The club’s family culture has given me the opportunity to train alongside some of the best athletes in our area. My 14U coaches, Corey Schweich and Connor Soppeland, invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into helping us become better athletes and better people. They challenged us to compete with confidence, hold us accountable and create an environment where hard work, discipline and teamwork were expected every day. My team is hardworking, competitive and supportive. We celebrate each other’s successes, encourage one another through challenges and always compete for each other. I truly enjoy being with my team. Being part of Midwest Speed has helped me grow, not only as a softball player, but also as a leader, teammate and person. I am grateful for the opportunities, friendships and experiences this program has provided as I continue working toward my goal of playing softball at the collegiate level. I am looking forward to our 15U season and competing in a highly-competitive fall schedule while playing for Coach (Tori) Holt and Coach (Mike) Orth.

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? 2025 was my first year attending Alliance Nationals in Indiana. Our 13U team had a strong finish, coming one game short of making it to the Elite 8 in Tier 3. It was an incredible experience competing against some of the best teams in the country and it motivated our team to continue improving. This summer, our 14U team received the four seed after a strong fall and winning a bid to the Super Cup in Colorado. We ended up competing in Tier 1 at Alliance this summer.

What makes players from the state of Minnesota special? Players in Minnesota are special because trying to play softball year-round in Minnesota requires creativity and commitment due to the long winters. Midwest Speed provides us with the opportunity to train five days a week indoors, allowing us to continue developing our skills regardless of the weather.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Our team earned a bid to compete in the Alliance Super Cup in Colorado in July where we had the opportunity to face some of the top programs in the country. In the semifinal game, we played the Corona Angels-Tyson team, (which) went on to win the IDT. They had a deep roster, a powerful lineup from top to bottom and outstanding pitching that made every at-bat a challenge. I was proud to record one of our team’s two hits in that game against such high-level competition. We also competed in the IDT and faced many top programs, including the Beverly Bandits, NW Bullets (and) OC Batbusters. The best pitcher we have faced this year was Ansley Johnson from Impact Gold National (2029)-Holmes. She has the best speed and movement of any pitcher I have faced.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I had to face a few basketball-related injuries in middle school that taught me how to overcome adversity and keep working hard for my goals.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Brady Johnson, brother, plays baseball and basketball.

What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a place where I can be challenged both academically and athletically. I want to attend a school with strong academic programs that will prepare me for my future while giving me the opportunity to compete at a high level in softball.

Finding the right team culture is also very important to me. I want to be part of a program where the coaches invest and develop their players and create a positive, competitive environment.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? This past winter, I attended camps at the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas University. Both of the camps taught me valuable lessons and allowed me an opportunity to start to explore the college experience.

I’m looking forward to our 15U team attending the University of Iowa team camp in August. I also plan to continue attending college camps because they allow me to develop my skills, learn from college coaches and help me gain a better understanding of the programs that are the best fit for me both academically and athletically.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? My interests right now are in psychology and business. I hope to pursue a career related to sports and possibly coach some day. Sports have helped to shape who I am and I want to have an impact on others as many have done for me.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subjects in school are science and English because they challenge me in different ways. I enjoy science because it is hands-on and is constantly evolving. I like learning how things work and applying what I learn to real-world situations. I also enjoy English because I like writing and expressing my ideas.

Who is your sports hero and why? Jordy (Bahl) Frahm. I am inspired by her story of resilience after suffering her ACL injury. She proved she could come back stronger and lead her team to the College World Series.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I like to read mystery books because of the thrill.

What’s the best hype song and why? (“Empire State of Mind”) by Alicia Keys. My teammates and I sing it before games.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Grey’s Anatomy” because I like the drama and twists.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “The Hunger Games” because I like the action, suspense and characters.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? Baking sourdough.

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NEWS & NOTES

***After leading OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino to a 12U Tier 1 Alliance national championship this past summer, Coach Tony Arduino said his team will be joining the West Coast Gamers OC organization this fall.

“I am super excited about the opportunity the OC Gamers are giving my staff and I,” Arduino said. “To be a part of an emerging, up-and-coming organization is special. I have nothing but positive things to say about the Batbuster organization, but it was time to take a larger role. Excited to get back to work!” …

***Coach Christie Chapman, who led Athletics Mercado 2029-Christie/Zito to a runner-up finish at the 14U Tier 1 Alliance Nationals this past summer, said she is moving her team to the Rising Fastpitch organization this fall.

“We will be Texas Rising 2029-Christie,” Chapman said. …

***Best in AZ is Sept. 12-13 in Avondale/Phoenix, AZ. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNED/COMMITTED ALERTS

Kaidynn Peckinpaugh (2026, P/UT, Indiana Bombers/McCutcheon High, IN, Missouri State)

Ellie Shevey (2026, C, Missouri Chiefs/Kickapoo High, MO, Missouri State)

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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 …

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