Ricky Bumgardner Jr. brings new professional team into the Fastpitch United Pro Series model for 2026
Florida Heat Joins Fastpitch United Pro Series
Today Fastpitch United announced more developments, as a brand-new professional team has been added. The Florida Heat, owned by Ricky Bumgardner Jr., will join the Fastpitch United Pro Series beginning in 2026, becoming the latest addition to a growing model designed to bring the game directly to fans.
I spoke with Heat owner Ricky Bumgardner Jr. about his excitement for the new development and what he is looking forward to in joining the Fastpitch United Pro Series.
“I love what Fastpitch United is doing to grow the professional softball world. I’ve been able to work with Ryan and Caylan, and their passion is something that motivates me to want to be a part of the game so that athletes can continue to play past college, all the while giving back and helping the next generation of athletes grow and be inspired,” said Bumgardner.
He went on to explain the mission of the Florida Heat, a team that believes there is more than just softball and sees a greater cause.
“The Florida Heat is well beyond just the game. We are on the professional side that wants to be involved with not just the youth side but athletes paving a way through faith and athletics,” he explained. “We are that safe spot for sharing and spreading the word of Jesus at local travel tournaments, clinics, Night of Faith, as well as gameday.”
That mission fits right in with the Fastpitch United model, which is about more than putting games on the field. It’s about meeting people where they are, inspiring the next generation, and showing that the sport can reach well beyond the lines of play.
Fastpitch United founder Ryan Moore has a clear vision for the series, one that centers on putting professional softball in front of fans of all ages, especially young players. In my opinion, Moore likes to bring the game straight to you, and the Pro Series is a good example of that. The lineup now includes the Florida Vibe, New York Rise, Kansas City Diamonds, and the Florida Heat, with more possibly to come.
The Fastpitch United Pro Series will play a large portion of its 2026 season at and around major travel softball tournaments. Ryan Moore explained the reasoning to me directly.
“This is really about playing in front of major youth tournaments throughout the country in the summertime. That’s the whole point of Fastpitch United is working with big tournament directors,” said Moore.
Moore also shared that the Pro Series will operate in a tour-style setup. Five locations are already confirmed for next summer: Kansas City, Kansas, Tyger River Park in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Clearwater, Florida, and Orlando, Florida.
The season will conclude with the Fastpitch United Tour Championship Series scheduled for July 14-17, with the exact location still to be announced.
Outside of the official Pro Series, teams will still have flexibility to schedule independently. But to qualify for the championship, each team will need to play a certain number of series games under the Fastpitch United model.
“So independent teams can play anybody they want to play in a schedule, but for our particular pro series model, they’ll all have to play a qualifying number of games within the series model to qualify for the tournament,” Moore explained.
The goal is not only to bring games to these locations but to also connect with the youth players competing in the tournaments. Plans are already in place for camps, clinics, and even home run derbies, with Pro Cup teams assisting wherever they are scheduled to play.
The Fastpitch United model is about being where the kids are. That means professional softball players and athletes will be front and center at these tournaments, giving everyone involved the chance to watch great softball while taking part in their own events.
Stay tuned for more developments, as Fastpitch United continues to evolve into bigger and greater things.
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