As part of the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program, we are excited to honor Pacific Coast Fastpitch League (PCFL) Pitcher KJ Pua of the OC Batbusters-Shumaker as the Junior Player of the Month for her exciting performance on the mound and at the plate in June.

KJ impressed her audience with 24.2 innings pitched and 13 strikeouts. Pua’s performance at the plate ended the month with .593 batting average including 7 RBI, 13 singles, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and an impressive 7 stolen bases.

Players Response

Tell us a bit about your softball story! How’d you get started in the sport?

I pretty much grew up on the softball field. I remember watching my older cousins and older sister playing softball for Fullerton Hills. Mom eventually signed me up at the age of 5 for the same rec league and my very first team we were called the “Pink Panthers”. I continued playing for Fullerton Hills and transitioned over to Travel after my 10U All Star Season.

What has been your favorite softball memory?

My favorite softball memory would be making it onto my very first All-Star team for 8U, that was so much fun!

Who is your favorite softball player?

My favorite softball players are between Tiare Jennings and Grace Turk (Lyons)

What do you like to do outside of softball?

Outside of softball I like to hang out with my family and/or relax at home. I also enjoy being part of change, and I am looking forward to being back in school. This past school year, I was part of the Mary Bragg Green Team and Sister School. With my Green Team, when I didnt have softball practice/ games over the weekend, my little sister and would volunteer for scheduled beach clean ups that are organized by our Green Team Teacher. We have organized We also have several projects that include raising money for our Sister School which is in Abuja, Nigeria. With the money our Sister School raised, we purchased a total of 278 pairs of shoes for the kids in Nigeria. We also were able to raise some money for desks and chairs as well.

What are some of your current goals – both on and off the field? (Softball, school, other athletics, related, etc. all welcomed!)

My goal for on the field is to work to get stronger and faster and to hopefully hit one OTF 🙂 Another on the field goal is to work on consistency on the mound. 😊 One of my goals for off the field is to be able to spend more time with my Nana & Papa when I can because they are always at my softball games. I also enjoy the many projects that I am a part of for Green Team outside of school, and my goal is to at least attend a couple of Tree Planting events and couple more Beach clean ups for this upcoming school year.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.