Illness knows no season. It can strike anytime: on Christmas, a birthday, even before a high school softball playoff game.

Occasionally before a practice, Shannon Troutman gathers his Henderson County (Kentucky) High softball team into several groups to square off in a home run contest. It's a fun way to not only get the competitive juices flowing, but to encourage the players to challenge themselves and each other.

Speed can be a powerful weapon in a batting lineup. It also can bail out a baserunner when a mistake is made.

If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. If your team believes you can go far, you're more than capable.

As the final out of the 2022 PGF 16U championship game was made, Georgia Impact Caymol pitcher Erin Nuwer already had decided what she would do first when the celebrating began.

The pop Marlie Giles’ bat made as it connected with a pitch about belt-high had forecasted the inevitable. With a single swing, Giles mashed a two-run homer over the left-field wall, sealing the Birmingham Thunderbolts PGF 18U Premier national championship.

Select Fastpitch and the Birmingham Thunderbolts have emerged from the bevy of outstanding clubs in the PGF National Championships 18U Premier division.

After a long and exciting week of action, the stage is set for the PGF Nationals 16U Premier Championship game Saturday between Beverly Bandits 16U-Conroy and Georgia Impact Caymol.

April Lowry will never forget the first time she and her husband James took their daughter Audrey to a hitting lesson. Audrey was about seven, and James was insistent she give it a try.

Since she began playing travel ball at the 8U level, Virginia Unity 16U pitcher/first baseman Jayden Heavener has seen more of the open road than most adults. The 5-7 15-year-old lefthander plays for Pace High School in Florida, travels around the country playing and practicing with her travel team, and goes to Alabama for pitching and hitting lessons once a week.

As the top event of the annual club softball circuit, the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships doubles as a showcase for future college stars.

Larissa Preuitt doesn’t recall how old she was when she attended her first Alabama Crimson Tide softball game. But the Hartselle, Alabama native and outfielder for Birmingham Thunderbolts 18U does remember sitting in the outfield seats at Rhoads Stadium with a group of softball friends and seeing four-time All-American Haylie McCleney hit a home run.

Softball’s future stars take the spotlight today, with the nation’s top 16U clubs squaring off in Orange County, California, for the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships.

As much as Ava Brown loves to win, she hates losing even more.

Sun, surf and softball are on deck with the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships coming to Southern California.