WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
One Idea. A Bigger Purpose. Our Story.
When Fastpitch Masters was founded in 2014, fastpitch softball was experiencing tremendous growth. New teams and organizations were forming everywhere, and more young athletes than ever were being introduced to the game. Wanting to be part of this exciting time, business owner and entrepreneur Ron Ring and former collegiate softball player and coach Kristen Abernathy came together with a shared idea: to create a better way for young fastpitch players to learn the game from experienced college coaches. Kristen brought a strong fastpitch background to those early conversations as a former collegiate pitcher who competed at both the NCAA Division I and Division III levels. After beginning her career at UMKC, she transferred to East Texas Baptist University, where she became a three-time First-Team All-Conference selection and earned NFCA All-Region honors. Following college, she continued in the game as a coach and private instructor.
As their conversations continued, one concern kept coming to the forefront. While more girls were playing fastpitch than ever before, Ron and Kristen saw a growing need for greater emphasis on teaching the fundamentals, the everyday drills, techniques, and repetitions that help young athletes build a strong foundation and truly develop as players.
Many of the new teams were being coached by dads who genuinely wanted to help their daughters and often brought years of baseball experience with them. But while baseball and fastpitch softball may look similar, they are very different games. From pitching and hitting mechanics to defensive footwork, the short game, base running, field dimensions, and the overall speed of play, fastpitch requires its own techniques and teaching methods. We saw an opportunity to help bridge that gap by exposing young players, parents, and coaches to the fundamental drills and teaching methods being used by experienced fastpitch coaches.
"Every athlete deserves the opportunity to learn from the coaches who are shaping today's game."
That became the foundation of our idea. We wanted to create camps and clinics where experienced fastpitch coaches could share the same fundamental drills, techniques, and teaching methods they used every day with their own players.
The athletes would receive quality instruction, but we believed the impact could extend beyond the players attending the camp. Parents and youth coaches watching from outside the lines could see firsthand how experienced coaches taught the game, the drills they used, the terminology they emphasized, and the teaching points they considered important. They could then take that knowledge back to their own teams, practices, and players.
Initially, we considered experienced high school coaches. Then we began looking more closely at college softball coaches and that changed everything. Understanding the economics of college softball, we quickly realized that most college coaches are drawn to the profession by much more than a career opportunity. They have a genuine passion for the game, enjoy teaching it, and are committed to helping athletes learn, develop, and reach their potential.
Our thinking was simple: if we could fairly compensate college coaches for sharing their time and expertise, while giving young athletes access to the knowledge, fundamental drills, and teaching methods used inside college softball programs, we could create a true win-win for everyone. And that’s exactly what happened.
Since 2014, Fastpitch Masters has grown from that simple idea into a national program that has helped train more than 40,000 young athletes across the country. And while we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we believe there is still much more we can do to help develop young athletes and continue growing the game.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP
The People Behind Fastpitch Masters
Ron Ring
Founder & CEO
Ron Ring founded Fastpitch Masters in 2014 with a vision to provide young athletes with access to high-quality instruction from experienced college coaches. His leadership and entrepreneurial approach have guided Fastpitch Masters from its earliest camps into a nationwide organization focused on athlete development and growing the game of fastpitch softball.
Terry Harris
Director of Program Development
Terry Harris serves as Director of Program Development for Fastpitch Masters, helping shape and strengthen the programs that support the organization’s continued growth. He works closely with the leadership team to develop new opportunities while ensuring Fastpitch Masters continues to deliver high-quality experiences for athletes, coaches, and partners nationwide.
Jennifer Bock
Director of Coach Relations & Operations
Jennifer Bock leads the recruitment, orientation, and preparation of the college coaches who represent Fastpitch Masters nationwide. She works to ensure each camp is staffed with coaches whose expertise aligns with our specialized instructional areas and prepares them for the Fastpitch Masters camp format, while also serving as a Camp Director and supporting new programs and initiatives.
Kristen Abernathy
Founding Advisor
Kristen Abernathy played an essential role in shaping Fastpitch Masters from its earliest days, bringing her experience as a collegiate softball player, coach, and instructor to the development of the organization’s instructional philosophy. Today, she continues to support Fastpitch Masters as a Founding Advisor, providing insight and guidance as the organization continues to grow.
WHAT GUIDES US
The Principles Behind Every Camp
Players Always Come First
Every athlete deserves an encouraging, organized, and positive learning environment. While skills are important, we believe confidence, effort, and enjoyment create lasting success both on and off the field.
Learn From Today's Game
Our camps are led by current college coaches who teach the game every day. Their experience helps athletes learn modern techniques while reinforcing the timeless fundamentals every player needs.
Fundamentals Build Confidence
The strongest players aren't built through shortcuts. They are developed through repetition, attention to detail, and mastering the fundamentals that create confidence in every situation.
Stronger Together
Fastpitch continues to grow because of dedicated athletes, supportive families, committed coaches, outstanding facilities, and partners who believe in creating more opportunities for the next generation.
Every decision we make is measured by one question: Will this create a better experience for the athlete?
LOOKING AHEAD
The Future We're Building
While we've accomplished a great deal since 2014, we believe our greatest impact is still ahead. Every new partnership, every new community, and every athlete we serve brings us one step closer to strengthening the future of fastpitch softball.
Expanding Opportunities
As Fastpitch Masters continues to grow, our goal is to create more opportunities for athletes across the country to learn from current college coaches. By expanding into new communities and strengthening existing relationships, we're making high-quality instruction more accessible than ever before.
Building Strong Partnerships
Every decision we make is focused on long-term impact. From developing new resources for athletes to creating additional opportunities for college coaches and facility partners, we're committed to building an organization that continues to serve the fastpitch community for years to come.
Investing in the Future
Our future depends on strong relationships with facilities, college coaches, organizations, and corporate partners who share our commitment to growing the game. Together, we can create experiences that benefit athletes while strengthening softball communities nationwide.
The future of Fastpitch Masters isn't defined by how many camps we host; it's defined by the opportunities we create and the lives we impact along the way.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Be Part of Our Story
Whether you’re an athlete, current college coach, facility operator, or corporate partner, there’s a place for you in the future of Fastpitch Masters.
BE PART OF OUR STORY
Find Your Next Camp
Train with current college coaches, strengthen your fundamentals, and build confidence in a positive, professional camp environment.
COLLEGE COACHES
Teach. Mentor. Make an Impact.
Join a growing group of current college coaches creating meaningful experiences for athletes while sharing their knowledge beyond campus.
FACILITIES
Bring Fastpitch Masters to Your Facility
Partner with Fastpitch Masters to create professional camp experiences, reach more families, and strengthen your local softball community.
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Help Shape What Comes Next
Work with Fastpitch Masters to connect your brand with athletes, families, college coaches, facilities, and communities across the country.