Addy Ballard Recognized as the National Jr. Player of the Month for April

By: Arielle Gordon

As part of the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program, we are excited to honor Heart of America (HFL) catcher, third baseman, and outfielder Addy Ballard as the National Jr. Player of the Month for her performance in April.

Ballard plays for the Iowa Premier 12U in Des Moines, IA. She’s in 8th grade and she started playing softball when she was just five years old.  

Her favorite softball memory is from the time she hit three home runs in one day. “I hit one in each bracket game,” Ballard said. “I love the energy it brings to the dugout and the celebrations I do with my teammates!”

This season, she’s hit six home runs and 48 hits. Ballard has a .471 batting average.  

“My favorite thing about Addy is not her impressive stats, instead it’s her drive and desire to get better each day,” head coach Paige Shannon said. “I have to tell the kid to take a break sometimes as she’s always itching to pick up a softball and go to work. She has a bright future ahead of her and I’m excited to watch it unfold.” 

From all of us at the Alliance and the HFL, congratulations to Addy Ballard for her achievements!

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.