Payton Ritter

Payton grew up in Adrian, Missouri, where she developed her love for softball as a standout athlete at Adrian High School.

 

She competed in travel softball with the Blue Springs Lightning (16A) and Kansas City Originals (18A), gaining invaluable experience at a high level of competition.

 

During her junior year, Payton led her high school team to conference and district championships, finishing her senior season with a state tournament appearance. Her impressive career earned her numerous accolades, including four-time All-Conference and All-District honors, as well as an All-Region selection. Payton credits much of her development to her mentor, Sam Fleeman, a former Missouri State and Mizzou pitcher and current collegiate coach, who instilled in her a passion for pitching.

 

After receiving multiple college offers, Payton decided to focus on academics, graduating with honors from the University of Missouri in 2022. Though she pursued a career as an assistant buyer for Dillard's, her love for softball never wavered.

 

Now, Payton is thrilled to return to the game as a Softball Pitching Instructor at Proformance. She is passionate about helping young athletes refine their pitching mechanics, build confidence, and achieve their goals on and off the field.