MLB, NFCA partner to support softball's growth

NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball, in an effort to further strengthen its ongoing commitment to the growth of softball, recently formed a partnership with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

MLB will play a significant role in the NFCA’s continued commitment to its educational and diversity, equity and inclusion platforms through membership opportunities, convention programming, coaches clinics and recruiting seminars.

This sponsorship will provide all head coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with NFCA memberships at no cost for the 2024 calendar year. Additionally, one HBCU head coach will receive a full scholarship from MLB to attend the '23 and '24 NFCA conventions.

“This is a historic moment for the NFCA,” said NFCA executive director Carol Bruggeman in a statement. “The mutual respect, trust and admiration both parties have developed through working together on various initiatives has grown into MLB's first-ever official sponsorship. This expansive sponsorship will open new doors for many in the softball community and expand the NFCA's reach for access and professional development. We applaud MLB's commitment to the continued growth of softball.”

In an interview on MLB Network’s Hot Stove, two-time Olympic gold medalist, UCLA Hall of Famer and MLB softball ambassador Natasha Watley noted the partnership between MLB and NFCA shows that softball is growing in the United States.

“It has become my life’s passion in the sense of, how can we get this game [to] as many girls as possible?” Watley said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter how you look like. This game can bring so many things to you in the sense [of] character-building. It can take you a long way.”

In addition to the HBCU memberships, 150 youth coaches nationwide selected from MLB’s Nike RBI programs and Youth Academies will receive an NFCA membership for the 2024 calendar year. These memberships provide access to the many benefits of the NFCA, including mentoring, a drills database, coaching tools and more.

Educationally, MLB will provide access for 200 coaches to attend the NFCA’s annual recruiting seminar, and the NFCA will have one representative lead an in-person recruiting session at an MLB Develops softball event in 2024. Continuing to prioritize learning, MLB will enroll 40 coaches in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 NFCA regional coaches clinics.

“Major League Baseball expanding its efforts further in the softball space signifies the league’s strong desire to grow opportunities for women and girls at all levels,” said Tony Reagins, MLB’s chief baseball development officer. “To be able to partner with organizations like NFCA to provide opportunities for diversity, equity and inclusion means MLB is able to do more for those playing our game. We look forward to this partnership and expanding MLB and NFCA’s work in softball.”

MLB will be the title sponsor of the 2024 “What’s Next Coach” mentoring session. This annual event provides current student-athletes with the opportunity to explore future careers within the game from coaching to administration and umpiring. The NFCA and MLB are excited to pave the way for future leaders of the diamond sports.

On the field, the NFCA and Major League Baseball will team up to host Play Ball events at the 2024 and '25 NFCA Leadoff Classics.

Taking place the day prior to the start of the tournament, this free event for local youths is designed to generate interest in softball, highlighting how the game is played, while also providing players, parents and coaches with the information and resources to help with proper technique and instruction. Student-athletes from the tournament’s participating schools will assist with the events.