Saturday morning kicked the start of the 2016 class of the Louisville Slugger Hit Club as the 11 talented batters gathered in Irvine, California to begin three days of education, fun, inspiration and recognition.

This year's honorees included:

• Elissa Brown (Birmingham Thunderbolts)--University of Alabama
• Nicole "Sis" Bates (Firecrackers-Rico)--University of Washington
• Nicole Mendes (Diamond Sports Hotshots)--University of Oklahoma
• Hannah Edwards (PA Chaos)--University of Pittsburgh
• Mackenzie Boesel (So Cal A's-Richardson)--University of South Carolina
• Kayla Konwent (Illinois Chill Gold)--University of Wisconsin
• Aaliyah Jordan (Corona Angels)--UCLA
• Amanda Doyle (So Cal Choppers-Fausett)--LSU
• Dejah Mulipola (OC Batbusters-Stith)--University of Arizona
• Shannon Rhodes (Texas Glory-Shelton)--University of Oregon
• Jessica Harper (So Cal Choppers-Fausett)--University of Arizona

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Here's a recap of the first day, Saturday July 30, and some of the highlights of the action and recognition these top 2016 grads received…

After playing in the PGF High School All-American Game, the players -- with assorted family members and coaches -- met at their Irvine hotel--home for the next three days--to get their Slugger Hit Club gear, have breakfast, learn of their itinerary for the trio of days and then say goodbye to family and friends.

First on the agenda was heading to Bill Barber Park, which just 12 hours before was the site for the PGF All-American game and where the PGF Clinic was being held for about 140 top young players.

Distinguished college coaches, including such elite head coaches as Patty Gasso (Oklahoma), Pat Murphy (Alabama) and Tim Walton (Florida), worked with the young players who got a chance to rub elbows and ask questions of the 11 Hit Clubbers.

Around noon, the Hit Club players returned to their hotel to listen to counsel and insights from Sue Enquist, the legendary player and coach who won 11 national championships at UCLA.

Among the former coach's teachings was the idea that players should be like a starfish, including the thought that the sea creature can lose an appendage and grow it back (like an athlete can overcome adversity to become stronger and better).

The rest of the day was playtime, as the athletes next were ushered to Boomers Park in Fountain Valley, an entertainment park where the softball players got to do everything from drive Go Karts to climb a Rock Wall.

The bulk of the afternoon and evening was then spent at Disneyland as the group got to play and ride attractions surrounding a dinner at Naples Restaurant in Downtown Disneyland.

Below are thoughts from the Hit Clubbers as to what they enjoyed the most from Day 1:

• "The highlight of my first day was hearing Sue Enquist talk. Being able to hear how much love and knowledge she has of the game was amazing to hear." - Aaliyah Jordan
• "My favorite part of yesterday would have to be Sue Enquist's talk. Everything that she said was very relatable to what's going to be happening in our lives and she helped prepare us for the mental part of college" -- Nicole Bates
• "My favorite part of the first day of hit club was listening to Sue Enquist talk! She is very motivational and gave good advice on how to deal with failure and how to get back to the player we really are. I also loved Disneyland and being to go on fun rides and get to know the girls better!" -- Mackenzie Boesel
• "I loved how we transitioned from an intense session about mentality with Sue Enquist to the excitement of Disneyland. I'm so glad I decided to participate in the Hit Club, because I've met some truly great people. It's been a blast!" -- Hannah Edwards
• "The first day was awesome! It's hard to pick the best moment, I personally loved Sue Enquist's speech as I found it helpful and insightful. I feel fortunate to have met her. And Disneyland was also pretty awesome; it was fun to get to know the girls and ride the awesome rides!" - Kayla Konwent
• "Saturday was so much fun and a great learning experience to hear from Sue Enquist! She is a great coach and even better person. I love how she is giving back to the game and encouraging young athletes to give back to the game as well!" -- Jessica Harper
• "The first day with the Hit Club was great. I learned from the one and only Sue Enquist and experienced my first Disney Land trip. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Hit Club." - Elissa Brown
• "The highlight of Day 1 was talking with Sue Enquist and having her share the knowledge she has of the game. She sees things from a different perspective, so it was an honor to listen to her speak." -- Amanda Doyle
• "The highlight of the first day was getting to bond with the other hit club girls at boomers and Disneyland because we got to relate and hang out with each other doing something other than softball." -- Dejah Mulipola
• "Saturday was filled with so many activities! The highlight was definitely Sue Enquist. Having the opportunity to be in such close quarters with a legend such as herself was amazing. There's nothing like getting your questions answered by a softball god! The Hit Club allowed me to explore the ins and outs out Coach Enquist's mind. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I'm beyond grateful to have experienced something of that caliber with this group of ladies." -- Shannon Rhodes

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Coming Sunday for the Hit Club: a tour of PGF HQ, an afternoon at a Red Sox / Angels game and a bonfire at the beach with current and former players like Shay Knighten and Amanda Lorenz…