Softball Newcomer Q&A: Montana Fouts
1/30/2019 5:00:00 PM | Softball
We will be posting Q&A's with each of the seven newcomers on this year's Alabama softball team heading into the 2019 season. The seventh and final Q&A is with freshman pitcher Montana Fouts, the USA Today and MaxPreps National Player of the Year in 2018 and three-time Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year.
How did you get your start playing softball?
"I was around the field all the time when my dad was playing so I just grew up loving it. He played slowpitch but had played baseball before that. I played basketball my seventh and eighth grade years, but I wasn't very good. I was basically there for rebounds."
When did playing in college become a goal for you?
"I never really thought anything about it until I was 12 and early recruiting opened. That's when colleges started talking to my coaches. One of the big early moments was summer of my eighth-grade year. There was a big tournament and all the big schools were there. It was unreal seeing all the coaches there. Any school you could think of probably had someone there. Playing in college was always a goal, but it didn't seem like a reality until then."
When did you start putting together a list of potential colleges to attend?
"Probably late in my eighth-grade year, since I committed during my freshman year. I took my last visit here and committed about two weeks after that though. I just knew this was the place. I wanted somewhere that felt comfortable and had a family atmosphere. That was really important to me. I wanted a program with a winning mindset. I hate to lose, so I wanted a school with the same goals that won't settle for anything else."
What were your first impressions when you visited Alabama?
"I was in awe of everything. Everything is so new and pretty and the campus is beautiful. At that time, they were only a few years removed from winning the national championship, so it was unbelievable to be at a school that had just won. That was the dream. Things haven't changed here since then. It's still a family atmosphere."
Was it a relief to committing so early or was there added pressure being a high-profile commit?
"It was more of a sense of relief, but I also knew that I made that commitment, so I had to prepare to play at that high level. Everything prior to that was preparing just for those colleges to see me and now I wanted to work even harder to be as prepared as possible for Alabama when I eventually arrived. It was just a step up."
You first experience with the team was last summer's Japan trip. How was that?
"The trip was amazing and I'm very thankful I had the opportunity. It's crazy we even got the chance to make the trip, let alone the freshmen being able to join. It was easy to be around everybody honestly. The players and coaches did a good job of getting to know us before we even got here. We felt relaxed and it wasn't as overwhelming. The softball is more intense, but they help you with all of that."
What was it like putting on the Alabama uniform for the first time?
"It was great. I felt like I was five years old again. I couldn't believe the moment was actually here. It's a blessing to be able to do it."
With five pitchers on the staff, how has that dynamic worked so far this year?
"It has gone well so far in the fall and during the little scrimmages we've had. We're not just different in speed but in pitch type too. They all have great pitches and it's fun to watch them get better every day. Especially with a staff of five, seeing everyone next to you getting better every day is great."
How has the acclimation process been like for you so far?
"On the field, it wasn't too overwhelming. It's a lot more team-oriented practice than I've done before, which is really nice. All the practices are meant to get you better and more acquainted with the team. I love working with Coach Steph [VanBrakle Prothro] and the rest of the pitchers. We have a great mix and I think we're going to work well together.
"Time management is the biggest thing. You have class and practice but you also have work outside of that, not to mention needing to find a time to eat! You find a way to figure all of that in. I used to be more of a day-to-day person but now I need to look at things almost monthly. I have calendars and have to stick to them. I write down a lot more stuff for sure."
You and Skylar Wallace went to USA Junior National Team tryouts and made the squad. How was that experience?
"That was really fun. They're all so good, but it really is a different level. They make the hardest plays look so easy. Even better than that, they're all great to be around. I'm excited to play with them this summer because I think we'll mesh together well. It will be fun."
What are your individual and team goals for this season?
"Individually, I just want to fill my role on the team the best I can. As a team, we want to win it all. This team is committed to winning. Everybody on the team wants to play whatever role they can and help the person beside them. We talk about 'mudita' all the time and I think we've done a good job so far of being happy for each other's success."
What advice would you give to a young player who wants to play softball in college?
"Work hard and don't take a day for granted. If it's something you really want to do, you have to put in the time and make the sacrifices for it. Do anything you can to get better every day and never be satisfied. You also need to have fun too though. The days go by fast. It feels like yesterday I was putting on the cleats for my first freshman high school game."
