Premier Youth Softball National Championship

The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is the premier national championship in youth softball, emulating NCAA Softball’s postseason format to help prepare our athletes for the next level. The top youth teams in the country compete in the AFCS with a National Champion crowned at each age division. The AFCS is currently held in Hamilton County and Kokomo, Indiana. For more information, browse through the links and sections below!

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

SEEDING

Given the AFCS format, all qualifying teams are “seeded” for the national tournament, just like in college softball. The AFCS Seeding Committee reviews each team’s resume and then places the top 32 teams in Regionals for 14U-18U divisions.

Your team earns points through our Alliance Rating System all season to help with your AFCS seeding as well. Check your League Schedule (search “POINTS” under “event types”) to see which tournaments in your region award points based on your game results. If you regularly compete in a tournament that is not listed on your League Schedule, click here to have that tournament added.

TIERS

All teams will begin the AFCS in the Regional Bracket. Based on your performance in Regionals, teams will be seeded into a Tiered Super Regional Bracket. This Tiered System allows all teams to continue to compete for a National Championship in a balanced format. Teams who did not receive a top 32 seed have the opportunity to play their way into Tier I. Teams who did not play well in Regionals have an opportunity to reset and compete for a National Championship in Tier II or Tier III.

Tier I

Tier II

Tier III

EVENT FORMAT

Opening Day (Day 0):
- College Camps (14u, 16u, & 18u)
- Team Check-in & Coaches Meeting
- Player's Experience
  Skills Challenges
  Home Run Derby
- All-Star Game (played in front of 16u/18u AFCS)
AFCS Regionals (Day 1 & 2):
- 16 Seeded Brackets
- Double Elimination Format
- Top 2 finishing teams from each Regional move to Tier I Super Regional
- 3^rd and 4^th place teams from each Regional move to Tier II Super Regional
- Remaining places move to Tier III Super Regional
- All teams will advance to a Super Regional Bracket (Tier I, Tier II, & Tier III)
AFCS Super Regional (Day 3 & 4):
- 8 Brackets -- 4 teams per Super Regional Bracket
- Double elimination bracket
- Winner from each Super Regional advances to their respective Tier's Elite 8
AFCS Elite 8 (Day 5 & 6):
- 2 Brackets - 4 Teams per bracket determined by overall seeds
- Double Elimination Format
- Winner of each bracket advances to the AFCS National Championship Series
AFCS National Championship Series:
- Final 2 teams in each age division and Tier
- Best 2 out of 3 Series Format

AFCS EXPERIENCE

"…it’s really teaching these athletes who are about to go off to college what it means to play when every inning and every game really matters."

- Krista Stoker, Extreme Elite 18u

"The format is exciting. It’s like multiple tournaments within a tournament…what our organizations loves the most is we got into National Tournaments and we aren’t 100% sure where we stack up against the field and the format seeds everyone where they should be in the end."

- Joe Breer, ai Bandits 16u

"The AFCS format is second to none. It sets the girls up well for their future and what they’ll experience at the next level, whether they go on to play DI, DII or DIII….this format sets the kids up for success."

- Richele Hall, Team Pennsylvania 18u

"We love playing the NCAA format….win or lose we came here to play the best competition."

- Randy Boyd, Wisconsin Lightning 18U

"This past summer at Alliance Nationals was an incredible experience! Competing against some of the best teams from across the country really pushed me to elevate my game. The atmosphere was intense with a lot of talented players showcasing their skills. My Texas Glory summer team had some of the best athletes and coaches which led us to the Elite 8. I learned so much from each game, both in terms of strategy and teamwork. It was also a great opportunity to bond with my teammates, celebrating our wins and supporting each other through the tough moments. The overall experience really solidified my love for the game and motivated me to keep improving."

- , Texas Glory