Ace Factory

In case you missed it, Ace Factory Fastpitch is officially here. 🙌🏽

We have worked hard to build something different. Over the last year, we’ve listened to players and families, and we’ve heard what many of you are looking for: bringing softball back to what it’s supposed to be. Real development. Quality coaching. Strong competition. Meaningful exposure. And a culture that truly serves the athlete.

We’re committed to that. And we’re just getting started. A bigger announcement is coming soon…👀

**But first, our Open Evaluation is officially set for July 6th for 12U, 16U, and 18U athletes.**

We want to be transparent: this is not a formality or a fundraiser. We have roster spots available and will be evaluating athletes fairly for those positions. Offers will be extended based on what we see on the field.

We also understand many athletes are still competing with their current teams, and we respect that commitment. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love the opportunity to meet you, introduce our staff, and share our vision for Ace Factory Fastpitch.

📅 July 6, 2026�⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM�📍 Freedom River Field, Brighton

FREE to attend. Please pre-register if possible so we can plan accordingly and ensure your athlete receives the correct shirt size.

Register here:�https://link.baselinepro.com/PZprazC

We can’t wait to meet the next generation of Ace Factory athletes!

On Saturday, three of our Strong Moms and their husbands (including Tanner!) took on their first Half Hyrox Simulation at Legacy Center. And now that the official results are posted, we can say…

🥇 TEAM ACE FACTORY DOMINATED! 🥇

Both the men’s team (Tanner and Jordan) AND the women’s team (Lauren and Sam) finished in FIRST PLACE!

And our third couple, Natalie and her husband Paul, brought home bronze in the MEN’S division. That’s right… Natalie earned a third-place finish while completing all of the men’s weights! 🙌🏽

If you’ve never heard of a Hyrox, it’s no joke. Competitors move through a series of functional fitness challenges and a whole lot of running, combining endurance, strength, and grit in a race designed to test both body and mind.

Congratulations to all six athletes on an incredible performance. We’re also incredibly proud of our Strong Moms who came out to cheer, support, and encourage our racers throughout the event, including showing up with signs featuring some of Tanner’s favorite quotes. 😂

And we have to give a special shoutout to Sam. Just 3 months postpartum, she signed up for her first Hyrox, showed up, competed, and WON.

We are so proud of all of you. The Ace Factory Strong Moms family is something special, and this weekend was a reminder of what can happen when good people commit to doing hard things together. Who’s doing the next one with us?! 💪🏽

We wanted to give you a quick update on what Ryan has been working on, as some of you have asked!

Of course, Ryan is here giving 💯 to his athletes in their lessons. He’s also been so happy to have so many new members join over the last few days! In addition, over the last few weeks, Ryan has taken the steps to bring USA Scout to East Michigan.

USA Scout is a nationally recognized organization with a long history of developing athletes and demonstrating success, and Ryan is very excited to help grow that opportunity here in Michigan. (Trust us, it’s been all he’s talked about for weeks. 😂)

So, no, there are no plans to have Ace Factory baseball teams. But, he’s assembled a very talented coaching staff and will be leading the 13U team himself as USA Scout East Michigan begins its inaugural season.

For more information, including try out info, follow their new Facebook here: USA Scout East Michigan.

The last coach announcement for the weekend! Ace Factory Fastpitch is proud to announce our 18U Coach, Gary Libkuman! 🥎

Gary brings years of travel softball experience and has spent many seasons developing and leading athletes through some of the most important years of their softball careers. His ability to lead, mentor, and develop young athletes makes him a tremendous fit for our organization.

Known for his calm presence and athlete-first approach, Gary has earned the respect of the players he coaches by building strong relationships, communicating effectively, and creating an environment where athletes can thrive. He understands the unique demands that come with the older age groups and does an outstanding job helping players balance the challenges of softball, school, recruiting, work, and life.

Gary is excited for the opportunity to work with athletes during some of their final seasons of travel ball and help create an experience that is competitive, memorable, and impactful.

We couldn’t be more excited to have him leading our 18U program. Welcome to Ace Factory Fastpitch, Coach Libkuman!

Thank you to all of those who came out to our trial Mat Pilates classes yesterday! It was so fun seeing the space used for something different! We also really appreciate everyone who took a moment to fill out the feedback questionnaire afterwards.

We’ll keep you posted on when and if we continue offering Pilates. Happy Saturday, friends!

Ace Factory Fastpitch is proud to announce our 16U Head Coach, Danielle Pizzo-Neumann.

As current Director of Softball at Ace Factory and Varsity Coach at Northville High School, Danielle brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of developing athletes at a high level.

With 20+ years of softball history, including five most recently with Tennessee Mojo, Danielle has helped countless players reach the next level, including 10 athletes on her most recent roster who are going on to play collegiate softball.

Beyond the game itself, Danielle is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, resilience, and mental strength. Her focus extends beyond physical development, helping players develop the mindset and foundation needed to succeed both on and off the field. She’s competitive, she has high expectations, and she’s a true leader and role model.

We couldn’t be more excited to have Coach Pizzo leading our 16U program.

🥎 Director of Softball, Ace Factory
🥎 Varsity Coach, Northville High School
🥎 5 Years Tennessee Mojo Experience
🥎 Proven Collegiate Development Track Record

16u is lucky to have you, Coach Pizzo! Let’s go!

We’re excited to announce Sam Benitez as the Head Coach of our 12U Ace Factory Fastpitch team!

Sam brings four years of coaching experience and a genuine passion for developing young athletes. Her philosophy aligns perfectly with what we’re building at Ace Factory. She says: “For me, coaching is about creating an environment where players can grow, be challenged, and enjoy the journey.”

While wins and losses matter, Sam understands that the foundation is built long before game day. “It's the practices, the hard work, learning the game, becoming a great teammate, building confidence, and watching young athletes truly fall in love with softball.”

As a former player and now a coach who has spent years helping young athletes grow, we’re excited for the impact she’ll have on our 12U program.

Please join us in welcoming Coach Sam Benitez to Ace Factory Fastpitch!