Cover photo: Caylee Cowan (left, #3) celebrates with her Sparks teammates. Photos courtesy of Bigg Zigg Photography.

Last Friday, January 7, 2025, Line Drive Softball announced our Top 10 in the 2030 Line Drive Hot 100 and atop the list was

Caylee is a dominating pitcher/middle infielder who plays for Alabama Sparks Elite coached by Slade Stewart and the young athlete’s father, Jeff Cowan.

As we detailed in our write-up on Caylee as the No. 1 player in the class, she throws heat in the mid-60’s complemented by a curveball which she believes is her best pitch.  Playing against top 13U teams and even 14U teams at elite events, she had 325 strikeouts in 24 with a 1.6 K’s per inning mark.

But she’s not a one-trick pony: Caylee also had a .937 fielding percentage when she played middle infield, hit at a .453 batting average and drove in 58 runs last year.

She’s even an all-city selection in volleyball and will be playing high school varsity softball this Spring for Huntsville (Ala.) High.

So, to recap, she’s very, very good and an estimated 90 percent of the top club coaches we talked to had Caylee as the best of the best in the 2030 class.

Read on to learn more about this fantastic athlete you’ll be hearing about for a long time as Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads interviewed her last week…

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Line Drive Softball: OK, we’re dying to know: what’s the story of your nickname being Larry?
Caylee Cowan:  Slade and my dad played sports against — and then with each other – since high school. They would joke that the loser was “Larry Loser” and call each other “Larry’s” and so when I came along, I was “Little Larry.” Over time it just shortened to “Larry.” And it stuck!

LDS: You were overwhelmingly the choice of being the top player in the 2030 class by so many club coaches and college recruiters… how does that make you feel? Rewarded? Intimidated?
CC: I’m really honored.  I play with some of the best athletes, and we all try to put in the work for each other, for our team.

LDS: Say you’re scouting yourself… what would you say are the strengths of your game and areas you want or need to improve?
CC: I do try hard to be a good and encouraging teammate.  My pitching coach, Mark Wisener and I work hard to improve my pitch movement.  One of my goals this year is to work on my speed and agility.

LDS: Take us back to your early days… how did you get into softball and who have been some of the key influences in your life
CC: I grew up watching my dad, Jeffrey, and Coach Slade play slow pitch, so I was around the sport a lot.

LDS: We hear you’re quite the volleyball player too… tell us what you like about that sport compared to softball and do they complement each other (improve your athleticism)?
CC: I love how fast paced volleyball is. I think volleyball helps me learn to react and read the ball better.

LDS: You’ve been with Sparks Head Coach Slade Stewart for six years… what has that relationship of trust meant to you and what does he do well that you’re loyal to him?
CC: Coach Slade is tough, and his expectations are high, but he also makes it fun.  You can tell he believes in you.  He makes you want to work and want to earn it.

LDS: Off the field, you’re noted as a “major animal lover” by your dad… share with us your thoughts on what that encompasses…
CC: We take our dogs Dixie and Cash nearly everywhere with us… they truly are my family.

LDS: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
CC: This game is a game of failure… put in the work so, in the big moments, you can come through with success. And even if you fail, you can live with it, because you truly did all you could do.

LDS: What are you most proud of on and off the softball fields?
CC: On the fields, I’m proud of the relationships I have gained.  Off the fields, With the help and encouragement of my Poppy, I am learning to grow my relationship with God.

LDS: What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your softball career?
CC: During a run down, when I was on the bases,, the pitcher was really fast and charged at me. She caught me off guard, so I accidentally ran backward into the outfield to avoid the tag.  And this was just this past year in a 14U tournament.

LDS: Tell us something unusual or different about you that most don’t know?
CC: I was diagnosed with dyslexia six years ago.

LDS: Describe your family (parents, siblings, anyone else) and what they mean to you?
CC: My parents are the reason I am able to do all of this.  My Nana and Bubba have traveled the country with me to watch me play.  All three sets of grandparents are really encouraging and supportive.

LDS: Imagine you’re talking to a young girl just starting out in softball… what advice would you give her?
CC: I would tell her to have fun and don’t get burned out.  Also, the friendships you make are one of the best parts of the game.

LDS: What makes you happy in life?
CC: Downtime with my favorite people.

LDS: Who is someone you look up to (a role model) in softball? Off the fields?
CC: We have always practiced with the older Sparks teams, so I have known, practiced beside and looked up to Morgan Stiles since I was 8.  She is now a freshman at Miss State.

LDS: Last question… college coaches certainly know about you, but you have, what, five years till you have to decide on where to play? Have you approached the recruiting process yet, maybe even just going to camps, or is this something you’ll give more attention in a year of two?
CC: Honestly, that is all a little overwhelming.  It is exciting. I did attend two camps this past year.  I really hope to visit more colleges to see the campuses and for the experience in the next few years.