You won’t find many folks in the fastpitch softball community with a background more interesting than Bill Hoopes.

Earlier this month, Line Drive Softball featured Bill in an article titled:

People to Know in the Softball World: Events Director Bill Hoopes… Founder of “#60ForMe” Helps Athletes Lead Their Lives Like Champions

Here’s a brief recap of some of his keystone accomplishments:

• At age 16, he left school to support his mother.
• At age 19, he joined the U.S. Navy where he learned the importance of leadership and mentorship.
• After retiring from the Navy, he became interested in softball when his daughter began to play.
• He became more and more entrenched in the sport and in 2015 introduced the Firecrackers organization to Florida.
• In 2018, he began running PGF events in Florida.
• Five years ago, he was in a serious car accident that sparked the idea of creating a “wellness initiative” which ultimately became #60ForMe.
• Today, he’s the Florida State Direct for PGF and runs top regional and national tournaments including PGF “Show Me the Money.

Bill is now busier than ever in softball and #60ForMe has really taken off after evolving from his other company Lead Your Journey, which he defines as:

“A personal development company dedicated to improving the mental well-being and overall performance of student-athletes, families and organizations to achieve excellence and reach their potential.”

Here’s a sample of what Bill brings to the fastpitch world:

Think your confidence should be higher by now?
You’re not crazy—it’s just that no one’s told you the truth.

There are two things killing your confidence every day—
and it’s not what you think.

Watch this before your next game or practice.#LeadYourJourney #60FORME #MentalGame… pic.twitter.com/w1QTW2aN8e

— Lead Your Journey (@60formeLYJ) April 15, 2025

The dynamic and energetic speaker and motivator recently took a few minutes to answer our questions covering what he’s learned serving in the Navy, immersing himself in softball and now teaching and inspiring young athletes to be the best they can be…

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1. The Foundation: Sports and Life Skills

Line Drive Softball: In your experience, how does competitive softball—especially at the PGF level—prepare young athletes for the challenges of adulthood beyond the field?

Bill Hoopes: Competitive softball, especially at the PGF level, teaches kids much more than how to hit or throw. It teaches courage, resilience, communication, how to handle fear, and how to act under pressure.

When a player steps into the batter’s box, she’s learning how to face uncertainty and make decisions without hesitation—skills that translate directly into adulthood. The routines of practice, showing up on time, staying disciplined, pushing through injuries, developing consistency, and learning that success is a process—all of that mirror’s life.

As they grow, particularly around 13–14 years old, players begin shifting from doing it for their parents to doing it for themselves. That’s when they begin developing true ownership, responsibility, and internal motivation—life skills that will guide them far beyond the field.

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Line Drive Softball: What do you think is the most important life skill a player walks away with after playing in a high-level tournament like Show Me the Money?

Bill Hoopes: Every player walks away with something different from a high-level event like Show Me the Money. One might struggle early—go 0-for-4 in two games—but then get the game-winning hit in the final inning. That experience teaches perseverance, trust in the process, and a next-pitch mentality.

Another player might get injured and spend the weekend watching, only to discover over months of recovery how strong and capable she truly is.

The game teaches lessons in real time, but sometimes those lessons don’t hit until weeks or months later. Whether it’s resilience, teamwork, or self-awareness, the key is showing up with a growth mindset—being ready to learn from every moment.

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2. Adversity and Mindset

Line Drive Softball: You’ve shared pieces of your own story, from early hardships to serving in the Navy. What would you say to a young athlete who feels like they’ve been dealt a tough hand—and maybe walks around with a chip on their shoulder because of it?

Bill Hoopes: To a young athlete who feels like life dealt them a tough hand—I’d say keep finding your why. None of us get to choose our starting point. You can’t control where you came from, but you can control your attitude and effort.

If you want out of the well, if you want more, then ask yourself: What’s next? Even slow progress is still progress. Put systems in place. Take ownership of your future. Keep climbing, even if it’s one inch at a time.

Strength, wisdom, and success don’t come from having an easy path—they come from refusing to quit on the hard one.

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Line Drive Softball: When working with youth, what are some of the most common mental or life roadblocks you see holding them back—and how do you help them move through it?

Bill Hoopes: The most common roadblock I see in youth athletes is perfectionism. Around 14–16 years old, they stop playing for fun and start playing under pressure—recruiting, profiles, travel ball. ‘

And suddenly, going 3-for-10 is no longer good enough, even though that’s excellence in this sport. These players don’t want to disappoint their coaches, their parents, or their teammates. The weight of expectations becomes overwhelming.

That’s why we teach process. We help parents, players, and coaches communicate better. Not “how did you play,” but “how did you feel?” Not just “why didn’t you hit the ball,” but “what was going on in that moment?” We create space for communication, accountability, and understanding—so athletes can move from fear to growth.

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3. Personal Philosophy and Leadership

Line Drive Softball: What phrase or saying would people close to you instantly recognize as “classic Bill Hoopes?”

Bill Hoopes: The phrase people would recognize most as “classic Bill Hoopes” is 60FORME. Also, “intentional effort” and “be the example.” Those aren’t just words. They’re how I live and how I lead. Every single day.

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Line Drive Softball: You’re not just building tournaments—you’re building people. What does leadership mean to you in this phase of your life, and how do you model that for others in the softball world?

Bill Hoopes: Leadership, at this point in my life, means showing up and being the example. I wear it on my shirt—literally. Whether it’s in the Navy, the classroom, the tournament field, the restaurant, or now with Lead Your Journey, it’s about being the person you always wished would show up for you.

Leadership means being accountable, showing intentional effort, and doing the work on purpose. I’m building people now—not just players. It’s about presence, positivity, and growth. I want to build champions on and off the field—people who can lead their own lives with confidence.

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4. Vision and Future Impact

Line Drive Softball: If you could help every young athlete walk away from your events with one belief about themselves, what would that be?

Bill Hoopes: If I could help every athlete walk away from our events or the Lead Your Journey program with one belief, it would be this: Every moment matters—but it’s the effort, attitude, and adjustment that define you.

Success lives in the pivot. It lives in what you do next. You might not win today, but if you gave your all, if you prepared the right way, then that is a win.

Confidence comes from preparation and when the moment arrives, let the results take care of themselves—your job is to show up, give everything, and keep learning.

That’s how champions are built. That’s how journeys are led.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softbal