Due to the release this week of the Line Drive HOT 100 rankings schedule for 2026, we’re getting a lot of questions on how nominations should be done, what they should include (stats, honors, other info, images, video, etc.) and who should do them, etc.

The first key point is this: nominations should only be sent in by a player’s coach (club and/or high school), a trainer or someone who works with the athlete and can make a credible rankings suggestion.

Parents: we love you and welcome information on your favorite player(s) but know that we will only take nomination range recommendations from the list above! Still, don’t hesitate to send background info as we do keep all of this in individual player folders.

So what should a player nomination contain?

We got one this week on a 2030 player from Indiana named Mackenzie Gore who plays with the Fusion program and thought this entry an excellent one in showing what information can or should be included.

Check it out below…

The Fusion travel ball organization was started by Travis and Cammie Unruh in 2013 and is based out of New Albany, Indiana with multiple teams in the Hoosier State as well as in Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

One of the 2030/31 teams is coached by former D1 shortstop, Chelsea Norwood (her name in college) who competed at Butler University in Indianapolis and today manages the Fusion Premier ‘30/31 – Ann team.

She has taken her team to championship games including a runner-up finish at a PGF tournament in Elizabethtown, Ky. in just the squad’s third tournament together.

As to why it’s important to send in a thorough nomination form, Chelsea, based on what she saw helped as a Div. I athlete, commented:

“My girls make fun of me for taking the extra time, but I told them (a thorough and detailed nomination) will take them much further.”

Here’s her submission for one of her team’s talented 2030 grads…

*****

First Name: Mackenzie
Last Name: Gore
City/ST: Valparaiso, Ind.
Grad Year: 2030
Position(s): Infielder
School: Andrean
High School Head Coach: Allison Aguilera
Club Team: Fusion Premier – Ann
Club Head Coach: Chelsea Ann (formerly Chelsea Norwood)
Your name & relationship to the player (such as head or assistant coach, personal coach, etc.): Head Coach
Division (for club ball): 14U

Top player stats:

Her QAB have helped us tremendously this year as she consistently moves runners. Her QAB are 86%.

Top players honors & accomplishments:

In 47 plate appearances, she only had two strikeouts (less than 5%).

Mackenzie’s capability to bunt and hit is outstanding as she keeps the ball on the ground or hits line drives so she’s constantly moving runners. Her quality at bats make her an asset to any lineup.

She also is learning to think for herself and make decisions, whether bunting or stealing bases. That has given her confidence and allowed her to shine brighter due to us believing in her more.

GPA: 3.8

Scouting report (what makes the player a High School All-American or a Line Drive Softball Hot 100 candidate?

When Mackenzie came to our team, she was primarily a 1B and when we saw her arm angles we said, “no chance” and knew she was capable of more.

We initially intended for her to play 3B and 2B but due to an injury we asked her to play SS.

She took on the role with grace and humility and did everything we asked.

As a former D1 shortstop, I knew she had it in her, she just didn’t have the opportunity yet.

We saw in her what no one else had before which has taken her confidence and capabilities to an entire new level.

She’s learned a lot about the game and practices intentionally making sure we never have to tell her the same thing twice.

Mackenzie has grown in her mental game (far more than physical) as she already had many skills prior to us.

She has learned how important communication skills are in the IF as well which will take her far beyond her softball life as a young woman.

Anything unusual or different about the player off the field? (other sports, family connections, hobbies or talents, etc.):

She plays basketball and volleyball and, with so many sports year-round, that’s why she’s so athletic.