Meet the President
Let Me Introduce Myself
I’m Mike Walters, President of the Northern Diamond Alliance of Illinois.
Softball has been a big part of my life for the past several years, not only as a coach, but also through serving on boards, leading programs, and working with different communities throughout Northern Illinois.
Over that time, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as President of Crystal Lake Girls Fastpitch Softball, Co-President of the Northern Illinois Softball Association, and as a board member and coach in Marengo. I also continue coaching today with the Harvard H.E.R.S. program at both the recreational and travel levels.
Those experiences showed me both the great things happening in recreational softball and the areas where we can do better. That is what led to the creation of the NDA.
My goal is not to take control away from local programs. It is to help bring communities together, improve communication, create more consistency, and give recreational players more opportunities to compete, develop, and enjoy the game.
I believe every town should be able to keep its own identity, traditions, and leadership while still being part of something bigger.
The NDA is being built around collaboration. I want member communities to have a voice, share ideas, and help shape the future of the Alliance together.
At the end of the day, this is about the players, the families, the volunteers, and the communities that make recreational softball possible.
I’m excited about what we’re building and even more excited about the towns and people we’ll get to work with along the way.
Why the NDA
Today, my full focus is on the Northern Diamond Alliance.
I’m no longer serving on any other softball boards, which allows me to put my time and energy into building something that can bring more communities together across Northern Illinois.
- Create greater consistency between recreational programs.
- Strengthen communication between communities.
- Build better partnerships.
- Support coaches, volunteers, officials, and families.
- Create more opportunities for players to learn, compete, and grow.
- Continue growing recreational softball for the next generation.
Strong Communities. One Shared Vision.
Every community should keep its own identity, traditions, leadership, and pride.
The NDA is not about replacing local programs. It is about connecting them and creating a stronger foundation that allows recreational softball organizations to work together.
- We want towns working together.
- We want programs supporting each other.
- We want families, coaches, volunteers, and officials to have a better overall experience.
- And above everything else, we want players to have opportunities to enjoy the game and develop a lifelong love for softball.
I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead and what the Northern Diamond Alliance can become for communities throughout Northern Illinois. We’re building something special — and we’re just getting started.
Who We Are
The Northern Diamond Alliance of Illinois was created with one goal in mind: Build a stronger future for recreational softball across Northern Illinois. We believe communities are stronger when they work together. The NDA provides oversight and coordination for participating recreational programs while establishing common standards in areas such as scheduling, league operations, sportsmanship, umpire expectations, player development, and competition. Each member town continues to operate its own recreational program. The NDA helps connect those programs so everyone can work toward the same goal — providing players and families with a safe, organized, positive, and memorable softball experience.
What We Do
Connect Communities
We bring recreational softball programs together so towns can communicate, collaborate, schedule, and compete as part of a larger network.
Create Consistency
Common league standards help coaches, players, families, and officials know what to expect regardless of where a game is played.
Support Recreational Programs
The NDA provides structure and oversight while allowing each town to maintain control of its local program.
Grow the Game
We work to create more opportunities for players, develop stronger programs, support coaches and officials, and build enthusiasm for recreational softball.
Our Mission & Vision
The Northern Diamond Alliance exists to unite communities through recreational softball by providing a safe, organized, and positive environment where every player has the opportunity to learn, compete, and grow. We are committed to developing character, promoting sportsmanship, supporting volunteers, respecting officials, and building strong partnerships that strengthen our communities and the game for future generations.
The NDA Difference
One Alliance. Many Communities.
What Towns Keep
- Member organizations continue to manage their own: Registration, Local teams, Coaches and volunteers, Fields and facilities, Local events, Community traditions.
What NDA Provides
- The NDA provides the framework that connects those organizations through: League scheduling, Common playing standards, Communication, Recreational program oversight, Sportsmanship standards, Umpire expectations, League tournaments and events, Collaboration between communities. The Alliance provides the structure. Our communities bring it to life.
Player First
Everything we build starts with the players. We want athletes to have opportunities to learn the game, develop their skills, build confidence, become great teammates, experience healthy competition, represent their communities, and develop a lifelong love for softball. Winning matters. But developing players, building character, and creating a positive experience matter more.
Member Communities
The Northern Diamond Alliance is building partnerships with recreational softball organizations throughout Northern Illinois. As the Alliance grows, participating communities will be featured here with direct links to their local recreational programs. Interested in bringing your community into the NDA?
League Resources
Constitution & Bylaws
The foundation and governance structure of the Northern Diamond Alliance.
League Handbook
Alliance-wide operating standards for participating organizations.
Official Playing Rules
Division-specific recreational softball rules and league modifications.
Code of Conduct
Expectations for players, coaches, families, spectators, volunteers, and officials.
Playing Rules Overview
League rules are based on a combined standard using IHSA Softball and USSSA Softball rules across all age groups.
Respect the Game
Players deserve great coaches. Coaches deserve supportive families. Families deserve organized programs. And officials deserve respect. The NDA is committed to creating an environment where sportsmanship is expected at every field and where youth umpires are protected, supported, and given the opportunity to develop. Respect the players. Respect the coaches. Respect the officials. Respect the game.