As part of the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program, we are excited to honor Pacific Coast Fastpitch League (PCFL) catcher, Ava Gall of Firecrackers Brashear/Hicks  as the National Player of the Month for her performance in January.

Gall had an exciting month at the plate with a .824 batting average. The 2023 Stanford commit concluded with an impressive 2.217 OPS, 7 RBIS, 8 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple and 1 homerun.

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

I have had a bat and a ball in my hands almost my whole life. Before I started playing, I would go hit off of a metal pipe in the backyard with a plastic bat. My parents realized I was enjoying it, so they signed my up for a Rec Ball league when I was around 7 years old. I instantly fell in love and never looked back. I turned to travel ball in the spring of 2016 when I was 10 turning 11 and that’s when I began to love the competition, hustle, and grind of the game. I started taking softball seriously and it became addicting. Then I switched to my current team, Firecrackers Brashear/Hicks, and I knew I wanted to play in college because softball had become my true passion. In October of 2022 I committed to Stanford.

What has been your favorite softball memory?

In 2018 my team took 3rd at PGF Nationals after only being together for 4 months. It was the most fun I have ever had.

Who is your favorite softball player?

Kayla Kowalik from Kentucky or Aubree Munro.

What do you like to do outside of softball?

School: I am ASB Vice President and a member of Academic League which is like trivia against other schools. I love being involved in my community and showing off my school spirit. Personal: I love being outside, whether it’s in the mountains, at the desert, or paddle boarding at the bay, I love exploring what nature has to offer.

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

School: maintain straight A’s and my GPA. Softball: get faster and stronger and stay consistent in my good habits. Outside of softball: Stay consistent in the gym and gain more muscle. Life: spend more time with my family and friends, enjoy life, and prioritize self-love!

Coaches Feedback (Frank Waite)

Tell us a bit about your athlete? As a player, person, etc.

She is a strong, competitive leader who is also very compassionate and willing to help anyone.

Do you have a favorite memory or moment of this athlete?

My favorite moment of her is when we were at the Alliance championship last year in Indiana when she had the winning homerun.

Is there anything else you’d like to share, include, or that we should know?

She is a very dedicated individual. She works hard, plays hard, and give 100% in everything that she does.

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.