The Fastpitch United Pro League Series has announced that CamWood Bats will be the main league series Naming Partner for the 2026 season, which will begin in early June and compete into the Fall semester of 2026.   

The product and equipment manufacturer based in Haywood County, N.C. produces high-quality baseball and softball training equipment including training and game bats.

“This is a huge opportunity and strategic relationship,” said Ryan Moore, the Executive Director of Fastpitch United and owner of the Florida Vibe professional team.

“This door opening in the commercial side of the business shows to all that professional fastpitch and its athletes—with a league series partner such as Camwood Bats—has a growing and sustainable future.” 

CamWood Bats CEO Wes Helms, a 13-year Major League Baseball corner infielder in the Braves, Brewers, Marlins and Phillies organizations, says it’s his passion to ensure all softball players get the recognition they deserve at every level, particularly those in the pro ranks.

“When I met Ryan, we immediately hit it off.,” Helms recounts. “Our minds and hearts are the same when it comes to growing softball from the professional level all the way down to youth.  It’s my passion to make sure all these softball players gets the recognition they should.”

Both sides believe the relationship will greatly help the pro athletes reach the pinnacle of their hitting abilities.

“CamWood Bats provide the best training tools for these players to make sure they have the strength, power and swing to perform against the best in the world,” Helms says.

“I want to see the professional softball league become like the WNBA where these ladies can make a good living playing the game they are great at and love so much.”

Moore believes that the softball equipment manufacturer and the pro league series working together is a perfect synergistic relationship.

“I have known Wes for some time now,” Moore continues, “and there is no person more real, sincere about the passion of training the next generation of hitters. Camwood Bats are absolutely one of the most successful training tools in the game today.”

FPU teams, which includes the Florida Vibe, KC Diamonds, NY Rise, Florida Breeze, and Florida Heat, will compete at amateur youth events during the season and in the FPU Pro League Series.

According to league series officials, at least three more professional teams are set to announce sometime by the end of this year and compete next Summer.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball