Above, Mackenzie Schumaker of Westfield is pictured throwing a pitch during a little league softball game last summer. Both Schumaker and Jordan Lucas of Fredonia recently tried out for USSSA All American team. Schumaker and Lucas earned immediate roster spots after their successful tryouts.

On May 5, 2019, Mackenzie Schumaker of Westfield, N.Y. and Jordan Lucas of Fredonia, N.Y. traveled to Pittsburgh, P.A. to try out for the USSSA All American team.

They were chosen to represent the Northeastern states in the USSSA All American Games in Viera, Florida in July. They tried out with hundreds of girls showing skills in pitching, infield, batting, throwing, running, overhand velocity, footwork and athletic skills/ability.

The USSSA All American Fastpitch Program created an environment where athletes are evaluated by the top players and coaches in softball based on the athlete’s skill level and athleticism. Athletes who are selected to their regional teams will then compete against the other teams in the fifth annual USSSA All American Games.

The All American Fastpitch Program will host 20 tryouts throughout eight regions around the country. The top 26 athletes will be selected to represent their respective region to create two teams per age group (9u-14u) with 13 players on the rosters. The 14u age group will only have one team of 13 players selected per region.

Regions include: Atlantic, Central, Far West, Northeast, Northwest, Midwest, Great Lakes and Southeast.

Mackenzie and Jordan competed against girls from the whole Northeast region states including: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. At the conclusion of each tryout, evaluators identify the top performers in each age group to be named as the “Direct Select” players for the Futures All American Team, and are offered immediate roster spots. Mackenzie was chosen as a Direct Select Player for the position of pitcher and first base to represent the 10u Northeast region, and Jordan was chosen as a Direct Select Player for the 12u division for pitcher and shortstop. Only four girls are chosen in each age group to be a direct select.

Mackenzie and Jordan put in hours of dedication to perfecting their softball skills all year by attending pitching lessons with Tabatha Stenstrom, batting lessons, playing on travel teams, house leagues and for their schools.

Jordan Lucas is currently in 7th grade at Fredonia Middle School and plays on the Fredonia JV softball team. Jordan also plays for the Renegades 14u fastpitch softball team.

Mackenzie Schumaker is currently in 5th grade at Westfield Academy and plays on the USSSA NY Pride travel team, and 10 to 12 year old Little League Softball team.

The games will be held July 22-27, 2019 and will be located at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida. The games will be live on tv.