National Player Rankings Are BACK as the Line Drive Hot 100 Starts Next Month…
Here’s the Complete 2024 Schedule!
The national player rankings as you’ve come to know them over the last dozen years are back and will be launching in April with the 2029 Line Drive Hot 100.
As in previous rankings, this will include the top 100 prospects featured with bios and head shots for every player. Additionally, athletes will also be recognized in each class up to 500 deep.
For this calendar year (2024), the Class of 2029 will be the first one launched and the Classes of ’28, ’27, ’26 and ’25 will follow (see complete list below).
The Line Drive Hot 100 will be spearheaded by Line Drive Executive Editor Brentt Eads, who began the softball player and team rankings format close to 15 years ago and in that time has done over 40 grad class rankings (note: each class is updated several times leading up to the players’ high school graduation and transition into college).
Some of the future college All-Americans highlighted as No. 1’s has included:
So what is the intent and purpose of the rankings?
“I’ve always believed that the rankings are to honor the talented and hard-working athletes,” Eads explained. “The hope is that someday those recognized can pridefully share with their kids and grandkids that ‘I was one of the best softball players in the country and here’s proof!’”
As one softball mom told the long-time sports media figture recently:
“It definitely motivates my daughter! She knows it doesn’t define her, but she definitely works towards moving up! Thanks for what y’all do for softball!”
A proud father of a top-ranked athlete added:
“I used to be against these top 100 lists, but I am now for them, not because of where my kid is ranked, but because it gives these kids yet another motivating factor and helps them see where they realistically stack up to some degree within reason and also to the extent of the strength of schedule they are playing.”
Research into the 2029 class—the first time it will have been featured—has been underway for several weeks and nominations will close April 1 (and that’s no April Fool’s joke!).
Line Drive Softball will provide more directions and instructions in the future for now, anyone wanted to nominate 2029 players can send info and photos to: brentt.eads@linedrivemedia.com.