We continue our year-end look at the Top 10 Softball Stories of 2024…  Here is the schedule for this list which will run the rest of December and into January 2025, when we’ll publish the No. 1 Softball Story of The Year:

• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #10 – The Alliance to Hold All National Championships In Indy (Dec. 23, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #9 – The State of the Pro Game (Dec. 24, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #8 – The Power of GoFundMe in Softball (Dec. 25, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #7 – The Passing of 2016-17 Gatorade National Player of the Year Taylor Dockins (Dec. 26, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #6 – Oklahoma’s Launch of Love’s Field Raises the Bar For Softball Stadium (Dec. 27, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #5 – Duke Softball Makes The WCWS… In Only Its 7th Year of Play (Dec. 28, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #4 – Jordyn Bahl Redshirts After Season-Ending Injury (Dec. 29, 2024)
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #3 – Mon, Dec. 30, 2024
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #2 – Tue, Dec. 31, 2024
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #1 – Wed, Jan. 1, 2025

Also, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, Line Drive Softball will list all the Top 10 stories together and then on Saturday, Jan. 4th we’ll will run the “Other Stories Considered” List.

For each topic (story), an article that we ran earlier this year on Line Drive Softball or was published by our friend at D1 Softball, Justin McLeod, the Associate Editor and former workmate of mine.

So how were the Top 10 picked?

We looked at what were considered the most memorable and important stories of the year as they impacted the sport. In researching the Top 10, we talked to those at at all levels of softball, including college and travel ball coaches, other media members and YOU—the fastpitch community.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

*****

#3… The Killer B’s – The Bolts & Bombers Dominate Summer Club Nationals

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of top travel ball teams at all age divisions who can win any given tournament… and that’s what makes the accomplishments of two premier club organizations that much special this year.

As we surveyed hundreds of key influencers in the softball world, club coaches together as a group pointed to two orgs (which just happen to start with the letter “B”), the Birmingham Thunderbolts, which primarily plays in PGF tournaments, and the Texas Bombers, a top program loyal to The Alliance events.

Said one club coach:

“It’s unusual for one club org to dominate but these two, the Bombers and the Thunderbolts, won not just one national championship this year but multiple ones.”

Added another:

“You have to credit both the Bombers and Bolts for their success at multiple age groups. These two stand-out orgs – the “Killer B’s—were truly dominant in 2024.

Texas Bombers

At the three oldest age divisions of 18U, 16U and 14U, the Scott Smith-led Texas Bombers program took first place at the 18U and 16U levels at Alliance Nationals this summer while the 16U team finished third.

One top club coach, who himself has won multiple national titles, said:

“To be able to win two of the top three age divisions at Alliance Nationals, where many of the best in the sport play, and to finish 3rd in the other is a testament to what Coach Smith is doing so well in his organization.”

And, if that wasn’t impressive enough, The Bombers 14U team covering Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, finished in 5^th place while the Bombers Gold – Jacoby team captured 9^th place.

Smith gave the credit to the entire organization and how it’s grown over time.

“This year was the culmination of a ton of hard work by our players, coaches as well as parents who all came together this last summer,” Smith stated.

“We have been building inside our Academy towards lining up towards this, but, honestly, never in our wildest dreams did we see it coming together to the level it did this last summer!”

Birmingham Thunderbolts

The Thunderbolts, or ‘Bolts for short, are from the South and have competed at a nationally competitive for years, as have the Bombers.

Rocky Thompson spearheads the powerhouse program and the Bolts also had great success against the best of the best on the PGF side.

The Birmingham Thunderbolts 18 Premier team not only took the PGF Premier 18U Championship, but also won another prestigious PGF sponsored event, the Show Me the Money title.

The young’uns in the 10U age division, the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier – Tennyson team, also won nationals in Southern California and splitting the age difference, the 14U teams also had impressive success.

The Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2028 – Brashear team won the Platinum Championship at PGF 14U Nationals and another talented squad, Bolts Premier 2027 – Alford/Rocky team, won the competitive Triple Crown Sparkler title.

Coach Thompson told Line Drive Softball this week:

“The success we have had as an organization is something I am definitely proud of, it is important to recognize our players for their commitment to the process, dedication to the standards that have been set and the competitiveness they bring to the game. Our players parents and their families support are vital to our success as well.”

“In addition to the accomplishments made on the field and winning National Championships, our greatest celebration is having all 18 of our 2025 graduates sign this past November to continue their academic and athletic career at the next level!”

“I feel that what sets us apart as an organization is having great players and their families who see how we do things, trust in our process and value the player development that we give,” the championship-winning coach concluded.

“I strongly believe that a commitment to doing all things on and off the field to a high standard of excellence will translate player, team, and organization success.”

Here’s a closer look at Line Drive articles from this Summer (2024) which covered the national championships…

*****

Event Recap: Texas Bombers Capture First AFCS 18U National Title (July 28, 2024)

The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is being held all week in Kokomo, IN (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club National Rankings):

In 18U:

#6 Texas Bombers Gold-Smith swept Corona Angels-Tyson, 4-0 and 4-0, in the best-of-3 Alliance 18U Tier 1 national championship series on Sunday at Kokomo High Stadium on Sunday in Indiana.

The Bombers captured their first 18U Tier 1 Alliance national championship after reaching the 18U Tier 1 national title game in 2022 and 2021.

“The fight that this group displayed the entire week was incredible!” Bombers coach Scott Smith said. “We faced elimination eight different times in this event and that to me is what I will remember most! Then you add that we faced two of the best offenses in the country each twice in Impact Gold and Corona Angels-Tyson and our pitching staff and defense shut them out all four times!!!”

Arizona State-bound RHP Cambree Creager of the Texas Bombers and Ohio State-bound RHP Kassandra Gewecke of the Corona Angels pitched very effectively to keep the game scoreless through four innings. But the Bombers broke through in the top of the 5th inning as 2026 IF Brooklyn Gidley delivered a three-run triple and Tennessee-committed 2025 C/IF Elsa Morrison drove in Gidley with a sacrifice fly to give the Bombers a 4-0 lead.

After a rain/lighting delay, the Bombers struck again in the top of the 6th inning as Gidley had an RBI single and Morrison drove in two more runs with a double to extend the lead to 7-0. Houston-bound IF Madison Hartley and Thomas had RBI singles and Morrison had a three-run double to make it 12-0 in the top of the 7th inning.

Creager pitched 6.2 innings, allowed five hits and struck out four to earn the win. Texas Tech-bound LHP Brenlee Gonzales recorded the final out to secure the victory. It was the fourth consecutive shutout for the Bombers.

“”I mean, it was absolutely amazing,” Gidley said. “With us facing elimination eight times in one tournament, no one expected us to step up and make it to the national championship, much less win it. With our coaches always pushing us to be our very best, we knew we had what it took. Every single person on the team had a role to play and it all showed the past two days. I’m just very thankful I got to play with such a talented group of girls and win on the biggest stage.”

Morrison went 3 for 4 with two doubles and six RBIs, Gidley went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple three runs and four RBIs, Thomas went 2 for 2 with three runs and and RBI and was HBP’d three times and Hartley went 1 for 3 with three runs and an RBI.

In 16U:

2026 SS McLaine Hudson went 2 for 3 with a triple, two runs and an RBI and uncommitted 2025 RHP Tori Payne pitched a four-hitter with two strikeouts to lead #34 Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen to a 5-0 victory over #20 Texas Glory-Shelton in Game 2, forcing a Game 3 in the 16U Tier 1 national championship series.

Game 3 was canceled due to rain, so Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen and Texas Glory-Shelton finish as 16U Tier 1 co-national champions.

ALLIANCE FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (AFCS)

AT KOKOMO, IN, JULY 28

18U TIER 1

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 4, Corona Angels-Tyson 0
• Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 12, Corona Angels-Tyson 0

18U TIER 2

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Athletics Mercado AZ-Mo 8, Windermere Wildfire-Paulson 4
• Windermere Wildfire-Paulson 10, Athletics Mercado AZ-Mo 8
• Athletics Mercado AZ-Mo 10, Windermere Wildfire-Paulson 8

18U TIER 3

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Colorado Batbusters National-Smith 8, Hotshots National ATL 2
• Colorado Batbusters National-Smith 8, Hotshots National ATL 1

****

16U TIER 1

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Texas Glory-Shelton 2, Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen 1
• Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen 5, Texas Glory-Shelton 0
• Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen vs. Texas Glory-Shelton (canceled due to rain, both teams finish as co-champions)

16U TIER 2

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• EC Bullets-Schnute/Bilz 3, Turnin2-Robeson/Long 2
• EC Bullets-Schnute/Bilz 9, Tunrin2-Robseon/Long 1

16U TIER 3

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Indiana Magic Gold 07-Neace 2, Miami Stingrays 1
• Indiana Magic Gold 07-Neace 7, Miami Stingrays 1

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

*****

Video Interview: Birmingham Thunderbolts Head Rocky Thompson… Three National Titles & Counting (July 31, 2024)

Last Saturday, the Birmingham Thunderbolts won the PGF 18U National Championship under the guidance of organization lead and head coach Rocky Thompson, one of the most well-liked and successful travel softball ball coaches in the game today.

For Thompson, it was his third national championship—two at PGF Nationals and one at USA Softball—and he’s trying to go for another one this week as he’s helping Coach Shane Cahalan with the strong and talented Bolts 14U team.

With Week 2 of this year’s PGF Nationals – consisting of 14U, 12U and 10U teams – starting just two days after the Bolts won the championship trophy and The Bucket, it wasn’t much time for Coach Thompson to celebrate and savor the Week 1 title.

You get the feeling with Rocky, though, that jumping back onto the field with his Thunderbolts players, whatever age that may be, is rewarding enough.

Here’s an interview Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads did with Coach Thompson last weekend…

*****

Event Recap: Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass, OC Batbusters-Stith/Byrd Capture 14U & 12U Alliance National Titles (Aug. 4, 2024)

The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is being held all week in Chino Hills, CA (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club National Rankings):

14U: TEXAS BOMBERS OUTLAST CORONA ANGELS FOR 14U NATIONAL TITLE

#7 Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass outlasted #6 Corona Angels-Tyson in a 3-game series that featured two run-rule games and a massive 7th-inning comeback to capture the 14U Alliance national championship on Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

“That series was one to remember with two top-notch ball clubs,” Bombers coach Kristi Malpass said. “Two run-rules and a dogfight to finish it. That’s what it’s all about and teaching these young athletes it’s never over. That’s why the format is one of the best. This group never gave up. They stayed in it and gave everything they had left for their last game together!! It’s a day they will never forget!!”

It was the second 14U Alliance national championship for Bombers-Malpass in three years. Corona Angels-Tyson was in the Alliance national-title game for the second time in four years.

The 14U national championship series got off to a wild start as Corona Angels-Tyson took advantage of four errors and seven hits in an 11-1, run-rule victory over Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass in Game 1 of the best-of-3 series.

2027 C Emma Anderson had an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st inning, then the Angels added two more runs on an E-2, an RBI single 2027 RHP Arrianna Romero and a groundout by 2027 2B Rylee Cull to make it 5-0.

2028 3B Daylinn Battee tripled and scored on a passed ball, 2028 1B Jackie Morales had an RBI double and scored on an E-7 to give Corona Angels-Tyson an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

2027 1B Nia De Luna delivered an RBI groundout as Bombers-Malpass cut the lead to 10-1 in the top of the 4th inning and briefly averted the 10-run run-rule.

2028 CF Kourtney Talanoa’s RBI single in the bottom of the 4th inning gave Corona Angels-Tyson an 11-1 walk-off victory via run-rule.

Bombers-Malpass struck first in Game 2. 2028 MIF Michaela Landers drew a one-out walk and eventually scored on De Luna’s single to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning.

2027 SS Samantha Nichols drilled a three-run home run to center field in the top of the 3rd inning to give Corona Angels-Tyson a 3-1 lead.

De Luna’s RBI single helpd Bombers-Malpass cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. LF Parker Malone followed with a three-run blast to left field as Bombers-Malpass regained a 5-3 lead.

Bombers-Malpass wasn’t finished in the bottom of the 3rd inning as 2027 1B Morgan Sanchez added a two-run double for a 7-3 advantage. 2027 C/OF Aubrey Garza was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, 2027 2B/3B Arianna Lugo had an RBI single, De Luna had a two-run double, Malone had a sacrifice fly and Bombers-Malpass added an unearned run to make it 13-3.

Landers had an RBI single and Lugo had a sacrifice fly to give Bombers-Malpass a 15-3 run-rule victory in the bottom of the 5th innings in Game 2 to force an “IF” game.

Morales got Game 3 off to a great start for Corona Angels-Tyson when she drilled a three-run homer to left field in the bottom of the 1st inning and an unearned run gave the Angels a 4-0 lead.

2027 CF Alexis Redoblado’s RBI single in the bottom of the 4th inning for Corona Angels-Tyson made it 5-0.

2027 C/2B Libby Petersen and 2027 C/OF Aubrey Garza had RBI singles and Lugo had an RBI groundout in the top of the 5th inning as Bombers-Malpass cut Corona Angels-Tyson’s lead to 5-3.

Corona Angels-Tyson picked up a run on a passed ball in the bottom of the 5th inning to make it 6-3.

2027 MIF Annelise Torres delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the 6th inning as Bombers-Malpass closed the gap to 6-5.

2028 LF Annabel Raftery and Battee had RBI singles that gave Corona Angels-Tyson an 8-5 cushion in the bottom of the 6th inning.

2027 OF/3B Parker Malone got an RBI double and 2028 SS Ashlynn Kennedy and 2028 RF Melody Soto had RBI singles and Soto had a two-run single as Bombers-Malpass took a 10-8 lead in the top of the 7th inning.

Bombers-Malpass held on to win the “IF” game and the 14U national title.

“I can’t even put into words,” Malpass said. ” … I am so proud of this team.”

Lugo was selected the Most Outstanding Player of the 14U AFCS tournament.

12U: OC BATBUSTERS-STITH/BYRD CLAIMS 12U ALLIANCE NATIONAL TITLE

OC Batbusters-Stith/Byrd swept Texas Glory RWB, 6-1, and 3-2, in the AFCS national championship series to capture the 12U Alliance national championship on Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

Batbusters-Stith/Byrd was making its third appearance in the 12U Tier 1 finals in the past four years and won its first national title.

“I am so proud of my team for winning the Alliance national championship and it is a great payoff for the girls after putting in so much hard work for 11 months together,” said Barbusters-Stith/Byrd coach Jeff Byrd, who led SoCal FireByrds to the PGF 10U Premier national title game last summer.

“It was a tough ask for this team to accomplish as much as it did considering eight of our nine starters are first-year 12U players and will be back next season. We are proud to represent Mike Stith and the Batbusters organization and happy we can add another national championship to their long history of success.”

Batbusters-Stith/Byrd got off to a strong start with a 6-1 victory over Texas Glory RWB in Game 1 of the best-of-3 series.

2030 RHP Taylor Goodwin went 3 for 4 with a triple, a run and an RBI and 2030 C Jordan “JoJo” Phan went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Batbusters.

Goodwin pitched went the distance, allowing one hit, one run and striking out seven to get the win.

Batbusters-Stith/Byrd broke through in Game 2 in the bottom of the 4th inning as 2029 SS Zoey Novoa drove in a run with a bases-loaded grounder and pinch runner June Philips scored from third on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead.

2031 SS Ayanna Perez and 2029 Aubrey Hernandez had RBI singles in the top of the 5th inning as Texas Glory RWB tied Batbusters-Stith/Byrd, 2-2.

2030 2B Logan Fong came through with a two-out single to drive in the winning run and give Batbusters-Stith/Byrd a 3-2, walk-off victory over Texas Glory RWB to clinch Game 2 and the 12U Alliance national championship.

Goodwin, who was named the 12U Most Outstanding Player for AFCS, threw every inning and got both wins for Batbusters-Stith/Byrd.

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

ALLIANCE FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (AFCS)

AT CHINO HILLS, CA, AUG. 4

14U TIER 1

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Corona Angels-Tyson 11, Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass 1
• Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass 15, Corona Angels-Tyson 3
• Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass 10, Corona Angels-Tyson 8

14U TIER 2

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Corona Angels-MTS 6, Bombers Gold Futures-Malpass 0
• Corona Angels-MTS 9, Bombers Gold Futures-Malpass 2

****

12U TIER 1

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• OC Batbusters-Stith/Byrd 6, Texas Glory RWB 1
• OC Batbusters-Stith/Byrd 3, Texas Glory RWB 2

12U TIER 2

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

• Firecrackers Medina/Rico-R&B 4, OC Batbusters-Shumaker 0
• OC Batbusters-Shumaker 6, Firecrackers Medina/Rico-R&B 5
• OC Batbusters-Shumaker 3, Firecrackers Medina/Rico-R&B 0