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, May 6, 2025:

*****

THE FINAL PITCH: JAIDYN GRIFFETH

Uncommitted 2027 RHP/1B Jaidyn Griffeth, #40 in the 2027 Line Drive hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Gold Tamborra 09-Hamilton, PGF/Alliance Nationals, Georgia players, winning a 5A state championship, Georgia Impact Premier 09-O’Neal, injuries, athletic family, future college, college camps, orthodontist, chemistry, Monica Abbott, “The Hunger Games,” “Run This Town,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Legally Blonde” and pickleball.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Jaidyn Griffeth

Hometown: Canton, GA

High School: Creekview High

Club Team: Athletics Gold Tamborra 09-Hamilton 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-9

Position/s: RHP/1B

Nickname: “JJ.” When my little brother was born, he couldn’t say my full name so he called me JJ instead. He started calling me JJ at my tournaments and it stuck!

Social Media: @JJGriffeth24 on Twitter and @jaidyn_griffeth24 on Instagram

Honors: #40 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, GHSA 5A state champion (2024), Region 6 5A Pitcher of the Year (2024), 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-County, Select 30 (2024), Beta Club and 4.3 GPA.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: Pitching — 1.89 ERA, .202 BAA; Hitting — .396 AVG, .500 OBP and 12 HRs.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: Pitching — 2.13 ERA, 43 Ks, 39.1 IP and .270 BAA; Hitting — .419 AVG.

High School Fall 2024 Stats: Pitching — 1.339 ERA, .229 BAA, 102 Ks and 115 IP.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I was looking for a team that was going to help me achieve my goal of playing softball in college. I had played against Coach Pete (Hamilton’s) team since 10U and they have always been a great group of girls! I was super excited when I got the opportunity to join the team because I knew that Athletics Gold was a very strong and reputable organization! The coaches here are so supportive and driven to make us the best version of ourselves.

Tell us about your experience at Alliance/PGF Nationals? I didn’t go to PGF Nationals last year, but I did go to the Colorado Sparkler and the Alliance Fastpitch Nationals in Chattanooga.

What makes players from the state of Georgia special? I believe players from Georgia are an extremely competitive group and we find that when we travel out of town, we end up playing each other in the final four of most tournaments!

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight of the fall was definitely winning the 5A state championship with my Creekview (High) team! Last season, taught me so much about myself as a player and what I’m capable of. We made some awesome memories that will last a lifetime.

This offseason, I really wanted to focus on my explosiveness and balance. Whether it was getting into my legs in my windup or perfecting my load — these two things have been important working points! I also wanted to prioritize all my spins and getting them to move like I want. It has been exciting to see them start to show this season.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? (Georgia) Impact Premier 09-O’Neal has always been a tough team because all of their girls are hard outs! Every time we play them it’s super competitive, but fun! I have a lot of respect for that team — those players are amazing and bring so much talent and passion to the game.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Last fall, I faced a pretty rough back injury. It messed with my confidence, especially when I felt like my 100 percent wasn’t the same as before. After pitching through it for a couple of weeks until my season ended, I decided that it was best to take some time off to let myself heal. I was forced to take up serious discipline because healing my back wasn’t easy and it took time. Looking back, it was hard to navigate this when my life went at such a fast pace and never slowed down. Even though it wasn’t a super big turning point in my life, my injury has still shaped me by strengthening me mentally and physically, teaching myself to listen to my body. Injuries are hard, but they can teach us so much!

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? I would definitely say I live in a family that values athletics! My older brother, Spence Griffeth, is a junior and plays for the Creekview High Varsity baseball team and East Cobb Orange 17U. I also have two younger brothers, Maddox Griffeth and Toby Griffeth, that play baseball! Maddox is in 8th grade and plays for East Cobb Orange 14U and Toby is in 4th grade and plays for the Canes Southeast Team Georgia 10U. My brothers are the first ones I go to when I need a long toss partner or someone to throw me front toss. They push me to be better and I wouldn’t trade them for anything!

What are you looking for in a future college? When I’m looking into colleges, I look for one that values academics and has a family atmosphere. I want to make sure that wherever I choose will be somewhere I can spend four years and it will feel like home!

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I have attended several camps in the fall and winter, but I’m looking forward to attending Auburn, Clemson and South Carolina again this summer.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Right now, I think I want to be an orthodontist. During spring break, I had the opportunity to go on a medical mission trip to Honduras and see how much of an impact dentistry and a fixed smile can have on a person! Helping people become confident and empowered is one of the best feelings and for that reason orthodontics is something I would love to do.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is chemistry because I think it is interesting to see how different elements can come together to form new things. I have especially enjoyed our labs this year!

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is (fastpitch legend) Monica Abbott. I have looked up to her ever since I started pitching. I aspire to be a leader like her and have her mindset! Through her career she has always shown grit and resilience. She is an awesome athlete and I have always wanted to be like her as I grow in the game!

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book is probably one from “The Hunger Games” series (by Suzanne Collins). This series was the first to really get me interested in books and I could read them a thousand times!

What’s the best hype song and why? “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. This song makes me feel like nothing can stop me and it never gets old.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Gilmore Girls” has been my favorite comfort show that I could watch anytime. Rory and Lorelei’s relationship reminds me of my mom and I, supportive and fun! I also love the small town setting of the show.

What’s your favorite movie and why? I always go back to “Legally Blonde” or “Clueless”! They never fail to make me laugh or lift my mood.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I’d say my secret talent is being surprisingly good at pickleball! Playing pickleball outside with my friends or family is a great way for me to unwind. Over time, I have grown to like it more and more and it turns out I’m pretty good!

****

NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Super Select Southern Championship is May 9-11 in Hoover, AL. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***PGF Georgia State Championship is May 10-11 in Dalton, GA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

****

SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Anna Braukus (2025, IF, NW Bullets-Campos/Mount Si High, WA, Nevada)

Welcome to the 7⃣7⃣5⃣, @AnnaBraukus!#BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/SSGBw9IgMU

— Nevada Softball (@Nevada_Softball) November 13, 2024

Gianna Serrano (2025, IF, Watson Wolfpack/Rosary Academy High, CA, Nevada)

Katie Wetteland (2025, IF, Lady Magic-Walling/Rocklin High, CA, Nevada)

First-year head coach Victoria Hayward signed infielders Anna Braukus, Gianna Serrano, Katie Wetteland and catcher/outfielder Zaria Gee. https://t.co/7o6T5FatUY

— Nevada Sports Net (@NevadaSportsNet) December 19, 2024

Zaria Gee (2025, C/OF, LTG-Henderson/Casa Roble High, CA, Nevada)

Blessed, Excited & Ready for this amazing opportunity! 💙🐺#GoPack @Nevada_Softball https://t.co/WrR5hTraxc

— Zaria Gee ‘25 Commit 🐺💙 (@zariagee2025) November 13, 2024

****

HSOTD

Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …

****

BTITW

Today’s Best Thing In The World is …

For a second, life is okay. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/dccayEYIm1

— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) May 5, 2025

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