Ellie Van Horn Name NWFL Player of the Month for January

The spotlight shines on Ellie Van Horn (2026) of the Northwest Fastpitch League (NWFL) as she is celebrated as the Player of the Month for her stellar performance with KB Fastpitch 16u in the month of January. Ellie, a versatile player at second base, third base, and pitcher, showcased remarkable skills that significantly contributed to her team’s success. This month, Van Horn boasted an outstanding .800 batting average and a remarkable .818 on-base percentage. Her contributions included 7 singles and a well-executed double.

Ellie’s softball journey began at the age of 9, inspired by her brother’s baseball games. Growing up attending his games, she decided to try softball, drawn to the challenges that pushed her to grow and strive for improvement. The sport not only captivates her with its challenges but also provides moments of joy and excitement, especially during cool plays and comeback wins. Ellie treasures the camaraderie and friendships built with her teammates during travel tournaments and team bonding activities, both on and off the field.

While softball is a significant part of Ellie’s life, she also excels in wrestling for her high school. This season, she achieved notable success by placing first in districts and fourth in regionals, earning her a spot at the state level. Outside of sports, Ellie enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in activities like puzzles and skiing.

Current goals for Ellie include playing softball at the collegiate level and helping her high school team reach the state level this season. She aspires to continue improving in both softball and wrestling.

Coaches describe Ellie as a strong, mature young woman who is a catalyst for positive change on the team. She is known for her ability to speak her mind, hold her teammates accountable, and quickly turn around the mindset of herself and her teammates. As a utility player, Ellie is versatile, able to move around the infield and corner outfield positions. Off the field, Ellie maintains a 4.0 GPA and gives back to the sport by volunteering as an assistant coach for her local middle school’s softball team.

A standout memory for the coaches was during an 18u tournament in the past fall when Ellie showcased her pitching prowess, executing three backdoor curves in a row to the same batter for three straight strikes, reminiscent of a memorable moment in baseball history.

Ellie Van Horn’s dedication, skill, and positive impact on and off the field make her a deserving recipient of the Player of the Month honor. She continues to inspire with her contributions, leaving a lasting mark on the sport of softball.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month.

To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.