We wrap up our look at the Top 10 Softball Stories of 2025 with No. 1… which is “second verse, same as the first”... more on that shortly.

Here is a review of our Top 10 to this point (click on the links to read the stories): 

• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #10 – Tue, Dec. 23, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #9 – Wed, Dec. 24, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #8 – Thu, Dec. 25, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #7 – Fri, Dec. 26, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #6 – Sat, Dec. 27, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #5 – Sun, Dec. 28, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #4 – Mon, Dec. 29, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #3 – Tue, Dec. 30, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #2 – Wed, Dec. 31, 2025
• Top 10 Softball Stories of the Year: #1 – Fri, Jan. 2, 2025

Also, on Jan. 3, 2026, Line Drive Softball will list all the Top 10 stories in a list and then on Jan. 4 we’ll will run the Other Stories Considered List.

For each topic (story), an article or more that we ran earlier this year on Line Drive Softball is reposted along with any other articles that may be tied into the subject listed that day.

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 in softball, including college and travel ball coaches, other media members and you—the fastpitch community.

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The Power of the NIL in Today’s Sports World

It’s a whole new ballgame in college sports… and that’s because of the impact the Name Image Likeness (NIL) legislation has had on the sport over the last few years.

And it’s going to be more impactful in the next few years as more money is allocated to athletes. Many fear what has been an “amateur sports scene” previously will be one where the rich get richer based on who can fund and donate the most money.

Take Texas Tech, for example.

It’s no secret that Cody Campbell, a billionaire oilman at just age 44 and a former offensive lineman who played in the NFL briefly and is now the chairman of Texas Tech’s board of regents, has been the major force behind the Red Raiders emergence as a major force in D1 sports.

The football team made the College Football Playoffs his year thanks to his helping the school bring in some high-level defensive line talent.

He also put Texas Tech softball on the map when he made pitcher NiJaree Canady the first softball player ever to get an NIL deal in seven figures. This year, that deal was renewed and she picked up more deals including a major one with an equipment maker (read below for the story we published detailing that).

In fact, our No. 1 Story of the Year in 2024 was that very story and was titled  NiJaree Canady’s NIL Deal Raises the Bar in Women’s Sports.

In our recap we wrote on why this story was chosen:

NiJaree Canady has emerged as the top player in the collegiate game after two huge years for Stanford that culminated in 2023 with her being named the USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year. Still, no one was prepared when she announced a transfer to Texas Techy and an NIL deal over $1 million annually that will open the doors for female athletes everywhere.

And here’s the crazy part: we also did a story on our No. 1 player in the Class of 2029, LG Goldin from Georgia, and in it you have to go to the very last paragraph to reach that this junior high school standout is inked an NIL deal too.

Wait… what?

Yes, the power of the NIL today has even gone down to players years away from playing college softball!

Here’s what LG, a remarkable talent who will have her pick of colleges in a few years, told us last spring:

“I will officially become a Mizuno Athlete this Summer before I start high school. We have an NIL agreement in place, and I am very excited! Mizuno has the best softball equipment! My brother, Cannon, is already a Mizuno athlete and they have treated him incredibly well.”

That is why the NIL situation is so powerful in sports today. Not only are athletes looking at what type of scholarship they’ll get or what type of education, but what time of off the field deals that can make them a ton of cash, even millionaires.

In an excellent Sports Illustrated article from this summer titled Highest Paid Highest Paid College Athletes via NIL Deals in 2025-26, writer Nate Cunningham touches on how the landscape of college sports has changed so much recently:

Five years ago, college athletics changed forever. 

Players were once locked out of earning any additional money for themselves based on their likeness. Instead, the university got to pocket the cash from all jersey sales in the campus team store. 

Now? It might not be the days of slipping an envelope of cash under a dorm room door, but it’s not far from being the “Wild West.” 

There are 17-year-old high school athletes giving Division I head coaches lists of demands (often including a minimum Name, Image and Likeness deal). It’s been a massive shift in the power dynamics of college sports. 

In football, Arch Manning of Texas has a deal estimated to be close to $7 million with others such as Carson Beck at Miami (Fla.) estimated to be close to $5 millions and Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State in the mid-$4 million range.

In basketball, BYU freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa if around the $5 million mark and looks to be a one-and-done.

It’s happened once in softball… expect that to not be an isolated incident very long in the sport.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

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Breaking News: NiJaree Canady Inks Another 7-Figure NIL Deal With Texas Tech (May 6, 2025)

On the same day as the conclusive game to decide the 2025 Women’s College World Series, news was reported by numerous media outlets that NiJaree Canady is signing another NIL deal in the seven figure range after being the first one to do so in all of women’s sports.

Here is the article run today by the Dallas Morning News referring to the ESPN news story initially reported detailing the new agreement.

Click HERE for the complete article…

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NiJaree Canady has reportedly cashed in once again ahead of Friday’s winner-take-all Game 3 against Texas in the championship series of the Women’s College World Series.

According to ESPN, Texas Tech’s star pitcher has signed another seven-figure NIL contract with the university’s Matador Club.

She became the first softball player to ever sign a $1 million NIL deal when she transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech before the season.

“Nija Canady is the most electrifying player in softball. She’s box office and she goes out every day and competes,” her manager Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management told ESPN.

“The decision to stay at Tech was not difficult. This program has taken care of her. They have showed how much she is appreciated. … Everything she wants from this game she can get here at Texas Tech.”

Canady scattered six hits and pitched her way out of a seventh-inning jam, as Texas Tech forced a decisive third game in the WCWS with a 4-3 victory over Texas on Thursday night.

She was named a first team All-American for the third consecutive year this season.

Before becoming a Red Raider, Canady led an upstart Stanford squad to the WCWS semifinals her freshman and sophomore years. After last season, when she was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, she entered the transfer portal.

She shunned the traditional powers and signed a $1 million NIL deal to head to Texas Tech. Canady said her father and her faith were among the key aspects that helped her deal with the challenges.

“I got through it,” she said. “And there were days where it honestly was very hard, just looking back.”

The ups and downs of the journey were part of why the winning of the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles — the first ever for the school — as well as making Tech’s first WCWS were so satisfying for Canady.

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

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Business News: Easton Softball Signs Texas Tech Softball & Star Pitcher NiJaree Canady to Multi-Year Deals (Feb. 4, 2025)

Easton Diamond Sports announced on Monday that Texas Tech Red Raiders softball has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement to use Easton equipment.

In addition, Easton has also signed 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady as part of her historic NIL deal. Canady joins Easton on a multi-year NIL and professional equipment agreement. Per Easton policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Canady stated,

“I am really excited to be a part of the Easton team and to represent them not only for the rest of my collegiate career, but for my softball career!”

Canady transferred to Texas Tech from Stanford for the 2025 season and was named the No. 1 player in her class by several media source. She returns for her junior year is expected to compete for back-to-back Player of the Year honors.

Canady is also a member of the US Softball National Team and figures to play a prominent role in USA’s hunt for Olympic Gold in 2028. The pitcher is also one of six inaugural members of Team Mahomes a NIL marketing initiative to promote Patrick Mahomes Adidas line.

“We are pleased to announce the partnership with NiJaree Canady that will extend through her professional career,” said Easton Sports Marketing Manager Julie Tobyansen.

“NiJaree is a force on the field and we are thrilled to stand by her as she dominates for seasons to come.”

Easton is a major player in college softball representation supporting over 100 D1 programs across the country including several perennial powerhouse teams like; UCLA, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Arizona, and Fullerton.

Texas Tech is expected to be a marquee advisory program for Easton featuring in the 2025 season and beyond.

“We are excited to begin this partnership with Texas Tech Softball,” Tobyansen said.

“Coach Gerry Glasco, his staff and athletes are top notch and will no doubt do great things in the 2025 season. With Ghost Bat franchise plus gloves and protective, the equipment performance is unmatched.”

As part of the agreement with Easton, the Texas Tech Red Raiders will play exclusively with Easton bats as well as catchers gear, gloves, helmets and batting gloves. Red Raiders players will have access to the full line-up of Easton Ghost bats.

“I am really excited for our hitters to swing Easton bats, they have tremendous pop, a large sweet spot and the girls love swinging them!” Said Texas Tech Head coach Gerry Glasco.

“We are thrilled to have Easton’s equipment and support throughout our program!  Easton is known for quality and excellence, and we are excited for this relationship.”

Texas Tech has made six NCAA tournament appearances and is expected to be a contender in 2025. In recent preseason rankings the Red Raiders have been ranked between 9 and 13.

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2029 No. 1 Spotlight: LG Goldin Is the Complete Package with an NIL Deal… & She’s Not Even in High School Yet! (April 12, 2025)

On April 4, Lilah Grace (“LG”) Goldin, a speedy power-hitting shortstop for the Georgia Impact team coached by Jason Cleghorn, was named as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2029 Line Drive HOT 100 for the second straight year.

It’s not hard to see why she’s so highly heralded.

First, there are the numbers.

Last year, combing school and travel ball play, LG went 102-for-105 in stolen attempts, smacked 21 home runs with 76 extra base hits and drove in a jaw-dropping 127 RBIs.

… and this all from an athletic shortstop who also happens to be one of the top long jumpers for her age in the state of Georgia.

Yea, she’s a freaky good athlete.

Second, LG passes the eye test with flying colors.

Watch this video of her smacking the aforementioned 21 homers and you’ll see that she not only has power to all fields but also has great speed and running form.

LG just looks smooth and athletic… because she is.

Third, you don’t have to look far to see where the athleticism comes from.

LG is following in the footsteps of her older brother, Cannon, who will attend Ole Miss on a baseball scholarship and her older sister, Janie, a high school sophomore ranked as a Top 5 player by Line Drive last summer in the Class of 2027 HOT 100 rankings. She is already getting heavy Power 4 interest.

The athletes’ father, Ryan, adds with a laugh:

“We are a pretty athletic family… I married a basketball player and she was the fastest lady I ever met!”

LG is a verified 5-tool player and her club head coach, Jason Cleghorn, was quoted in our earlier 2029 Top 10 article as saying his young prodigy already has the tools to play at the next level… and LG isn’t even in college yet.

“LG’s hands, arm slots, game IQ, and arm strength are already at the college level,” he explains. “LG is just different! She can take over a game; whether it be at the plate or in the field.”

“With her, you just know something special is about to happen.”

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Here’s an interview Line Drive’s Brentt Eads did with her recently…

Line Drive Softball: What has helped you get to the point?
LG Goldin: I started playing softball when I was three years old. I grew up at the ballpark watching my brother and sister and I wanted to be like them.

LDS: What advice would you give others?
LGG: Celebrate your team’s success and your teammates success over your own success. Also, be kind… always. Don’t ever let an outcome effect how you treat others.

LDS: What have you learned about yourself in the game of softball?
LGG: I’ve learned that I can fight when things don’t go perfect. I like the big moments. I want to be up to bat on offense and I want the ball to come to me on defense.

LDS: What has helped you grow on the field?
LGG: We have a great team culture. I have been blessed to be around amazing coaches and the best softball families. We are truly a family—we win together and lose together. We don’t point fingers and always believe that the next play will be the best play.

LDS: What has set you back in life or been something you’ve had to overcome?
LGG: I don’t look at anything as a setback. I have very strong faith in Christ, and I owe that to my Pastor Stephen Fountain. My beliefs have allowed me to keep perspective over the most important things.

LDS: What are you most excited about looking ahead in your softball career?
LGG: I and very excited to start high school next year and be on the same team at Buford (Ga.) High as players like my sister Janie, Caroline Stanton, Addie Rackley, Kadyn Gabrels and Summer Castorri. I grew up going to their games and now we will be playing on the same team.

LDS: What is your favorite pregame meal?
LGG: Chick Fil A… a Chicken Minis with lemonade.

LDS: What is your favorite music to listen to on Game Day?
LGG: I like Country Music like Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen.

LDS: Anything else of interest as you head to the next great adventure: high school?
LGG: I will officially become a Mizuno Athlete this Summer before I start high school. We have an NIL agreement in place, and I am very excited! Mizuno has the best softball equipment! My brother, Cannon, is already a Mizuno athlete and they have treated him incredibly well.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball
Email: brentt.eads@linedrivemedia.com