LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Portolite has signed a multi-year deal as the NFCA’s newest Official Sponsor, the Association announced on Wednesday afternoon. The premier manufacturer of durable lightweight and portable pitching mounds and softball mats will be the title sponsor of the NFCA Pitcher of the Year award.

“We are thrilled to welcome Portolite as our newest Official Sponsor,” said NFCA CEO Carol Bruggeman. “Portolite has had a prominent presence at our Convention and Coaches Clinics over the years and we appreciate their investment in softball and the NFCA. Portolite products support pitchers, and starting with the 2026 season, they will be the title sponsor of the prestigious NFCA Pitcher of the Year awards. Chad Hoppe and the Portolite team are committed to the continued growth of the sport. We look forward to working with them over the next three years!”

The NFCA Pitcher of the Year Award recognizes the nation’s top pitchers, celebrating exceptional performance and competitive excellence across NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Cal JC and NWAC. Originally introduced in 2019 for the NCAA divisions and NAIA, the honor expanded in 2021 to include the junior college ranks (NJCAA, Cal JC and NWAC), evolving from a single Player of the Year distinction.

“The NFCA has been a tremendous supporter of Portolite’s line of spiked softball mats, which are helping revolutionize the way fields are protected while providing athletes with a consistent, game-ready surface,” said Portolite Owner Chad Hoppe. “We’re excited to formally share this partnership and its impact with the broader softball community.”

A recent mainstay of the NFCA Convention Exhibit Show, Portolite will continue its support of the Association’s largest annual gathering of softball coaches and vendors. The company has played a part in the Convention’s continued growth, which reached another milestone in 2025 with 2,025 attendees, 200 companies and more than 800 vendors in Las Vegas.

About Portolite

Portolite Pitching Mounds is a family-owned and operated business based in Minnesota. They have set the standard in lightweight, durable, portable pitching mounds since 1982. Portolite Pitching baseball mounds and softball mats are in use at thousands of high schools, colleges and parks and recreation departments across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.