There are things I rally love about my job… like profiling this outstanding freshman with a first name of Montana who’s from West Virginia, lives in Kentucky and plays for an Ohio-based club team.

This SEC-bound pitcher/infielder has the wildest eating habits of any player I’ve covered and you have to be old school to even know who her favorite musicians are!

Fun, fun read on one of the top 2018’s in the nation… Enjoy, I know I sure did!

Name: MONTANA FOUTS
Grad Year: 2018
Pos: pitcher/first baseman
High School: East Carter (Grayson, Ky.)
GPA: 4.0
Club: Beverly Bandits – DeMarini 14U                                
Stats: 30-5 with a 0.42 ERA in two varsity seasons with 333 K’s in 231 1/3 innings with 21 shutouts; also hitting .414 with 45 RBI in her high school career.
College: Alabama

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FullCountSoftball.com: You were the youngest player to ever commit to the Crimson Tide… what does that mean to you?
Montana Fouts: It means everything to me and my family.  It shows all my hard work is paying off.  This is a huge honor.  It means Coach (Patrick) Murphy and his staff have confidence in me and that means the world to me.

FCS.com: You’ve played varsity softball since you were in the 6^th grade, is that correct?  Assuming so, what was that like being with girls—and playing against opponents—up to six years older than you?
MF: Yes, I have played varsity since 6th grade.  I think it has made me a better player playing with and against girls that much older than me.   I never really thought about it while I was doing it.  It seems weird to me that most of them are graduating high school this year and I am just a freshman!

FCS.com:  You have played with some pretty successful programs including the Thunder Elite ’00 that finished 5^th at ASA 12U Nationals in 2013, with the Birmingham Bolts this year and you’re now with the Bandits… what have you learned from being with these prestigious teams and what has led to changing teams?
MF: I enjoyed playing for Thunder Elite and Coach Jeff Steiner at 12U.  We had a really good year, won a lot of tournaments and had a really strong finish at Nationals.  It was a really tough decision to leave Thunder Elite and go to The Bolts but I felt it was something I needed to do because The Bolts provided more national exposure at that time.  I enjoyed my time with The Bolts and made a lot of friends.  I loved playing for Coach Jay Roberson.  Then I had the opportunity to play with Coach Steiner and some the girls from Thunder Elite again on Beverly Bandits.  This is great organization run by Bill Conroy and it also allows me to practice with the team since practices are only two hours from my house in Ohio.  I think it is important to be able to practice as a Team.  Coach Tony, Coach Hill and also my Dad have been great to work with and I look forward to this summer and a long career with the Bandits.

FCS.com: In January of this year, you exploded onto the national scene at an OnDeck camp where you were clocked at 66 mph… what do you remember about that day?
MF: I remember all the colleges that were there and being excited about the opportunity.  I didn’t know I was throwing that fast.  I had not been clocked for a while and was excited to see the number.  I also remember meeting Derek and Joann Allister.  I remember every word Derek told me.  He had a lot of great advice.  I really appreciate everything the Allisters and OnDeck did for me that weekend.  It really started everything for me with the colleges.

FCS.com:  Was that where you were first seen by the Alabama coaches? When were you actually offered by the Tide?
MF: I was first seen by Alabama with the Bolts at a friendly in Birmingham that the Bolts were hosting this past summer.  They offered me on my visit there in October.

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
MF: I verbally committed on Halloween.  I decided on Alabama because of the family atmosphere and I love the coaches.  I know Alabama can help me with improvement, not only as a pitcher, but as a person.

FCS.com: Where were you when you committed and what do you remember from that moment?
MF: I committed before pitching practice and I remember a big weight was lifted of my shoulders and absolutely knowing that is where I want to go.

FCS.com:  You’re a tall pitcher who throws heat… what’s the highest you’ve been measured at and what other pitches do you throw? 
MF: I’m 6-foot-1 and the fastest I have been clocked is 67 mph.  I throw fastball, drop, curve and change.

FCS.com:  What else about your game do you think makes you an elite pitcher?
MF: I feel that I am mentally strong and that I field my position well.  I take pride in and work very hard on my defensive game.  I consider myself another infielder not just a pitcher.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
MF: My first World Series win at 10U and the year I played with Thunder Elite.  We won three major exposure tournaments and placed 5th in ASA Nationals.  I think this is the highest any 12U Ohio team has ever placed in Nationals.

Quick Hitters 

Other than softball, what gets your blood pumping and most excited in life?  
Music gets my blood pumping and excited before a game.

Fill in the blank… nothing makes me happier than: ________________
… winning and spending time with my family

You’re several months into your freshman year now… what’s the best and worst about being in high school?
Best: being one step closer to college and reaching my goals.  Worst: the food!

Favorite hobby:  
Fishing, camping and hanging out with friends.

Favorite item in your closet:  
Softball jerseys.

If you were handed a $1,000 bill, what would you spend it on (sorry, no saving it!)?  
Clothes, shoes, and a new bat.

If you weren’t putting all your time into softball, what would you be doing?  
I would be training to be a UFC cage fighter.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?  
My favorite food is alligator.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?  
A machete.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?  
Getting dressed a certain way and eating frosted flakes in the morning before games.  Not doing anything related to the number 3.  For example, I won’t pick up three softballs off the field.  It has to be either 2 or 4.

Best thing about being from Kentucky?  
I’m actually not from Kentucky, I’m from West Virginia, but live in Kentucky now.  If I had to pick something about Kentucky it would be bluegrass music and all my friends.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?  
Pickles and peanut butter.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?  
Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker and Lynard Skynard but I will listen to anything.

Celebrity/athlete you’d most like to hang out with:  
Joey Votto and John Cena.

What did you want to be when you were little?  
A pro softball player.

Nickname(s): 
Tana

Something on your “must do” list:  
Win a High School State Championship, an SEC Championship and a National Championship.  ROLL TIDE ROLL!

What’s the No. 1 request on your Santa gift list?  
Alabama clothes!