At 30 years old, Yusef Davis Jr. is entering the 2025 season as a key outfielder for Bear Creek Express , bringing with him a lethal mix of speed, power, and leadership. After playing for San Antonio Glow Worm in 2024, Yusef joins a new chapter with Bear Creek, aiming to be the spark at the top of the lineup—and a threat every time he steps on the basepaths. Late Start, Fast Rise Yusef’s journey into fastpitch began later than most. “I started in late 2015,” he says. “My dad got me into a league in Whittier, California, and I took a liking to it right away.” The intensity, speed, and chess-like quality of fastpitch instantly hooked him. Growing up in Long Beach, CA, Yusef looked up to fastpitch veterans like Kevin Castillo and Lumar Goss , both of whom inspired him through their leadership and talent. "They’ve helped mold me into the player I am today,” he explains. Overcoming Early Challenges Transitioning from baseball to fastpitch wasn’t easy. “Hitting consistently was tough—especially against guys like Folkard , Cleary , and Kirkpatrick . I started out as a slapper just to make contact, then adjusted over time.” He credits those challenges with shaping his current approach: “Now, it’s all about getting on base and causing problems. My goal this season is consistency—be a spark plug and produce every game.”