Division I JapanYokota Panthers Coach — Kimberly Futrell, second season.Key performers — Ashley Montiel, Sr., SS; Deja Martinez, Jr., P; Morgan McMillan, So., CF; Bradyn Brownell, Sr., 2B (transferred from Seoul American); Anysia Torres, Fr., 1B-P; Courtney Sax, Jr., C.Outlook — Rebuilding. Team suffered a major setback losing Sr. IF Cora Argallon to a torn ACL. Panthers lost six starters from last season.

Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils Coach — Katrina Kemper, third season.Key performers — Elizabeth Farrelly, Sr., 1B (All-Far East); Grace Huezo, Jr., P; Kelly Osterbrink, Jr., P; Beverly Smithers, Jr., SS (All-Far East); Gabby Huezo, Jr., OF.Outlook — Contending. A team of mostly freshmen and sophomores a year ago is now a year older and a year wiser and more experienced. Osterbrink will be a huge addition on the mound; she pitched in American Samoa the last couple of years, posting some no-hitters. Losing Sr. SS Michayla Robinson to transfer to Italy leaves huge vacancy in lineup. Team won’t be as powerful, but should hit more consistently.

OkinawaKubasaki Dragons 2012 Far East Tournament finish — Second.Coach — Stephanie Davis, third season. Key performers — Kaitlyn Farley, Jr., C-IF (All-Far East); Adrienne Lee, Sr., C-OF; Madeline Mastriano, Sr., OF; Syvanna Ascencio, Sr., 3B; Lucy Santoyo, Jr., P; Makyla Herrera, So., P-3B.Outlook — Rebuilding-reloading. Scored a big find with Herrera moving up from JV; she clearly has played the game before. Finally broke through for that elusive first Okinawa Activities Council district championship a year ago; can they do it again? Team is hitting better top to bottom than it has. Two-time All-Far East pitcher Shuri Seamans transferred to California and All-Far East hurler Jackie Santoyo graduated; Lucy Santoyo will try to fill her sister’s shoes and Herrera could slide into Seamans’ P-3B position tandem.

Kadena Panthers 2012 Far East Tournament finish — Reigning champion.Coach — Kelli Wilson, second season.Key performers — Courtney Tomas, Jr., 2B; Jordyn Foster, Sr., OF; Peyton Lettkeman, Jr., P-1B; Maria Vaughan, Sr., C-1B-SS; Nia Rodriguez, Jr., OF (All-Far East); Meagan Beecher, Sr., UT-3B; Bailey Prince, Fr., P; Morgan Beecher, Fr., P; Asia Abdul, Fr., C.Outlook — Reloading-contending. After falling in the district finals, Kadena snatched the D-I title keys back from a Seoul American team that surprised the Panthers in the 2011 final. Plenty of pitching remains on the Panthers’ roster, though it’s freshmen Prince and Beecher, instead of the senior leadership Wilson counted on last year.

South KoreaSeoul American Falcons Coach — YunHui Danforth, second season.Key performers — Julia Ring, Jr., P-OF (All-Far East); Robin Galiano, So., P (transferred from States); Gabi Moreau, So., C; Jihye Rhodes, So., OF; Abbie Heckerl, Jr., 1B; Anjelica Sanders, Sr., OF; Raven Harrison, Sr., SS (back after two-year hiatus).Outlook — Contending. Galiano’s arrival gives Danforth – a 2004 Seoul American alumnus – the second pitching option she needs. Players demonstrate much growth from last year, plus some new players who give the team needed depth, experience and strength. Could be in line to take back the Far East title Kadena won last year.

Division II South KoreaOsan American Cougars 2011 Far East Tournament finish — Third.Coach — Bryan Morrisey, first season.Key performers — Kimberly Tadlock, Sr., SS-3B; Emily Cox, Jr., P-3B; Zoe Brown, Jr., 2B; Machala Swickard, Jr., 1B; Taylor Byrom, So., CF-P (All-Far East); Joanna Fisher, So., OF; Devon Morrisey, Jr., SS-OF; Neka Cox, Sr., OF-3B.Outlook — Contending. Father and daughter Bryan and Devon Morrisey bring softball backgrounds with them from the States, coupled with a solid group of returners who came up just short against Zama at Far East. Plenty of talent, though the team will lose Byrom to PCS after the season.

Daegu Warriors Coach — Ken Walter, first season.Key performers — Rachel Wyche, Jr., C; Celeste Gonzalez, Sr., P; Christina Henry, Jr., P-SS (all-Far East); Cynthia Walker, Sr., 2B; Danella Golden, Sr., OF (All-Far East); Christine Petrick, Jr., OF; Kaitlyn Nott, Jr., C-OF; Rheagan Wyche, Fr., 1B-OF; Aliya Scott, So., 3B-1B; Kristen Clippinger, Jr., IF; Ella Lavarette, Jr., P.Outlook — Contending. Warriors got fortunate in the transfer rounds with Clippinger and Lavarette, who’ve played stateside softball and baseball, and from other sports, with Wright and Nott moving over from soccer, to go with a returning veteran corps. And there’s only three seniors. A wealth of arms, to boot. Last time Walter took over coaching a Daegu girls team, the basketball team won a Far East D-II banner.

JapanE.J. King Cobras Coach — McKinzy Best, second season.Key performers — Pauline Champlin, Sr.; Deanna Austin, Jr.; Yasmine Weddle, Sr.; Tara Long, Sr.; Leann White, Jr., 3B; Katie Sparks, Jr., LF.Outlook — Rebuilding-reloading. Just four players back from last year, but they bring plenty of experience to the table. Sparks, with a powerful arm and bat, should bear plenty of watching. Best is hoping the Cobras can be that competitive force by Far East tournament time.

Robert D. Edgren Eagles Coach — Sarah Richardson, fifth season.Key performers — Amanda Williams, Sr., OF; Ashley Robinson, P; Hannah Bowden, 3B; Ashley Bravo, P; Johanna Keister, C (All-Far East); Sabrina Perez, OF.Outlook — Rebuilding. Plenty of potential, but the Eagles must always wait for the snow to melt before being able to practice somewhere other than a gym or an empty hangar to truly evaluate what they have.

Zama American Trojans Coach — Adele Collins, first season.Key performers — Silvia Dykstra, Sr., C-1B (All-Far East); Melissa Sybico, Sr., SS; Nicole Oquendo, Jr., 3B-SS; Brooklin McElhinney, So., P-CF (All-Far East, reigning D-II Tournament Most Valuable Player); Joelena Ragunton, Fr., P; Sheridane Salcido, Sr.; Felicia Salcido, Fr. (transferred from Texas); Kayla Nader, Jr.; Rachel Nader, Fr. (transferred from Nevada).Outlook — Contending. Collins becomes the team’s first new coach in seven years. Led by last year’s D-II tournament hero, McElhinney, the Trojans have players who know how to win now and plenty of talent to develop for the long haul.

Matthew C. Perry Samurai Coach — Kevin Peterson, first season.Key performers — Mandolyn Peterson, CF; Brittany Hill, 1B; Tyler Stevenson, SS-P; Tiarra Blanco, C-3B; Samantha Gilbert, RF; Tenacity Clayton, 3B; Saiya Gomes, LF-P; Marissa Martinez, C-LF.Outlook — Building. First year of playing softball as a school team in eight years.

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