Sometimes, young softball players demonstrate early signs of extraordinary talent and potential, appearing destined for stardom.

However, several factors can prevent them from reaching their full potential and achieving long-term success.

So here is a look at the 12 youngest WHAT? Sftbll players to make their debut…

Number One

Riley  Dixon

Debut: July 9th. 2011 - at age  15 years, and  159 days old.

Going  ( 1  for  3 ,  RBI )  vs.  Thunder Wolfs Club  at  Loggers Park - Richfield, WI.

Although infielder Riley Dixon had a memorable three weeks with the WHAT? Sftbll Club (in which he earned the honor of being the youngest ever to participate in Men’s Adult Softball for Tournament and Rec League play), his last game in a WHAT? Sftbll jersey might warrant a bit of forgetting…
Nonetheless: Riley Dixon toiled in the Gurnee Leagues for several years, but never again reaching the top majors.

Second Youngest

Jared  Yonke

Debut: July 5th. 2011 - at age  15 years, and  164 days old.

Going  ( 1  for  3 ,  RBI )  vs.  Outdoorsman Softball  at  SportsPark, C'

Outfielder Jared Yonke was a softball prodigy at a young age, made a strong impact at the big league level, earning 17 total plate appearances through the end of the 012’ season, but with limited playing time his career never developed…
Nonetheless: Jared Yonke is a ball player who never had enough seasoning to make it big as a player who personifies the question, "What if?".

Third Youngest

Jacob  Munson

Debut: May 11th. 2021 - at age  15 years, and  196 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  4 ,  2 RBIs / Run )  vs.  Wkgn Firefighters  at  SportsPark, B’

The Organization would end up making the right decision. Jake Munson would come out of the gate struggling, but became a phenomenal in his third season in the bigs at age 18.. It was only 50 RBI and a team-leading 10 home runs.. He instantly became one of the most feared right-handed hitters in the game and continues to be to this day…
Nonetheless: It is likely that Jake Munson place in the history books will remain safe for quite some time.

Fourth Youngest

Brent  Fitzgerald

Debut: May 13th. 2019 - at age  16 years, and  255 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  4 ,  RBI / Run )  vs.  BlackHawk Softball  at  SportsPark, A '

Infielder Brent Fitzgerald’s unlikely road to stardom was tumultuous, unprecedented and just plain impressive.. While Brent Fitzgerald debut was notable for his young age, he became the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the upper leagues at age 16 on May. 31, 2019, and he logged 26 career games before he turned 18…
Nonetheless: Though, Fitzgerald never did return to his team.. His, career potential would have made him on the cusp of the top-five overall in Lake County softball history.

Fifth Youngest

Drew  Recker

Debut: July 9th. 2011 - at age  16 years, and  269 days old.

Going  ( 1  for  3 ,  RBI )  vs.  Thunder Wolfs Club  at  Loggers Park, WI.

These extremely talented athlete kid plucked from Anytown, U.S.A, 16-year-old outfielder Drew Recker made his debut during a weekend tournament for the WHAT? Sftbll Club, knocking four base-hit and collecting one RBI in ten at-bats while only appearing in in four games in Richfield, WI…
Nonetheless: He had phenomenal athleticism—young at heart, but phenomenal.. He could really run, he could really throw, and he could drive the ball from the left side.. I loved the way he played,” Coach said.

Sixth Youngest

Andrew  Stein

Debut: August 3rd. 2006 - at age  16 years, and  284 days old.

Going  ( 1  for  3 )  vs.  Bally Muck Softball Club  at  Belvidere, South'

Outfielder Andrew Stein was signed when scouts were looking to fill out the WHAT? Sftbll’ depleted roster were originally considering Andrew’s father, in 2006.. However, the club quickly discovered that the elder Stein was too old to participate in the competitive leagues.. The scouts then became interested in Andy, who was only 16 at the time…
Nonetheless: Andrew Stein would quietly quit his team to never play adult softball again.. On his own, that hardly distinguishes him from other youngsters.. Nor was he the only WHAT? Sftbll rookie not to pan out.

Seventh Youngest

Dylan  Cartwright

Debut: June 20th. 2015 - at age  16 years, and  358 days old.

Going  ( 1  for  4 )  vs.  Ball Busters Softball  at  SportsPark, A'

Outfielder Dylan Cartwright ‘Claim to Fame’ came on Sunday August 2, 2015 vs. Bubba’s Softball in Game 6’ of the All-City playoffs series.. Dylan hammered a base clearing double off the left-center field fence in the bottom of the 7th, to catapult his team to victory, and eventual to an All-City Championship…
Nonetheless: Unlike most other players mentioned here, Dylan Cartwright career ended abruptly with personal issues that ultimately came to define his career.

Eighth Youngest

Sean  Bakkum

Debut: September 15th. 2011 - at age  17 years, and  53 days old.

Going  ( 3  for  6 ,  2 RBIs / Run )  vs.  Son of Pitch Softball  at  SportsPark, A'

Another youngster rushed to the upper leagues during the waning years of the 011’ youth movement, Sean Bakkum made his Club debut on Sept. 15th, 2011 vs. Son of Pitch Club.. He had a remarkable rookie start with the WHAT? club, but his performance declined in subsequent months..
Nonetheless: He ended his career with a .282 batting average in 35 games, with 4 extra base hits, but the kid now gets a shot to extend his softball career playing in the Nevada leagues.

Nineth Youngest

Noah  Sullivan

Debut: September 14th. 2010 - at age  17 years, and  95 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  4 )  vs.  In-Laws Softball  at  Belvidere, North'

The Prospect Who Walked Away.. Second Basemen, Noah Sullivan was a prodigy with lots of promise.. And with perhaps the best combination of defensive actions, intelligence, the makeup of any infielder in that era.. Earning a late-season promotion, Sullivan had a strong debut in the adult leagues in 2010, hitting .514…
Nonetheless: He quit because he found the game boring and the lifestyle decadent, and the whole experience reminded him constantly of his overbearing father.

Tenth Youngest

Nathan  DeRohan

Debut: June 6th. 2000 - at age  17 years, and  181 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  3 ,  RBI / 2 Runs )  vs.  Wining Ugly Squad  at  Webster, North'

A WHAT? Sftbll team favorite, Nathan DeRohan attended the United States Air Force Academy often missing significant portions of his softball career.. DeRohan managed to return to his team in 03’ and 2005, ending his three-year career as an All-Star infielder for the WHAT? Sftbll Organization…
Nonetheless: The 23-year-old infielder was coming off a resurgent 2005 season at the plate, in which he showed he had much more left in the tank by hitting .637 with 3 home runs in 28 games for WHAT? Sftbll.. Unfortunately, Military duty calls.

Eleventh Youngest

Matt  Dulaney

Debut: September 14th. 2010 - at age  17 years, and  212 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  4 ,  RBI / 3 Runs )  vs.  Dick's Carpet Squad  at  Belvidere, South'

Matt Dulaney is a softball player whose contribution is often overlooked.. Dulaney was a utility player who was originally signed by the Z-Force club then release to WHAT? Sftbll in 2007.. He made his debut on September 13th, 2007 and appeared in 18 games.. But that was his apex to his season – over the years, Dulaney played in 16 more games, and posted a .551 AVG for WHAT? Sftbll…
Nonetheless: Matt Dulaney was a forerunner to the youngest talent that graced the sport, and proved that it was possible to field young players in softball.. Unfortunately, Dulaney deepest passion was his family, particularly wanting to play with his brother.

Twelfth Youngest

Brandon  Tengler

Debut: March 18th. 2012 - at age  17 years, and  261 days old.

Going  ( 2  for  3 ,  HR , 3 RBIs / 2 Runs )  vs.  Chi Town Club  at  Lyboult Park - Lafayette, IN.

It was a clean sweep for the 2012 rookie on this roster, with infielder Brandon Tengler taking home the Utility Player of the Year, honors.. The 1.205 OPS he posted that year, as well as Tengler becoming the youngest player ever, to hit a first career Home Run during an out-of-state tournament on Sunday March 11th, 2012 in Lafayette, IN…
Nonetheless: Brandon Tengler wasn't altogether unproductive -- he ended up playing 2 seasons before being lured away from an opposing team with empty promises.. But he never did replicate that rookie season.

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