Maggie McBrayer may be a rising pitching prospect and one of the names you will see in the 2021 Hot 100, but she initially had no interest in throwing strikes.



In fact, when the Calhoun, GA, native first had the option to pitch at age 9, it took a playful threat from her father for McBrayer to finally be persuaded to head to the circle.

"At first I didn't want to pitch because the wind up and delivery looked so strange that I didn't think I could do it," McBrayer said. "My dad told me if I didn't at least try it he was going to sign me up for cheerleading. Needless to say, I tried pitching."



While McBrayer's sights were initially set on playing first base, the position switch has paid off. 

The 6-foot righty finished her middle school softball career this year by going undefeated as a pitcher in region play and winning the region championship all three years as a pitcher.

She's headed to Calhoun High School and will join a team that's won state championships three years in a row.

McBrayer said she doesn't remember a time when she wasn't playing softball. After starting T-ball at 3 years old, she had to play baseball from 5 to 6 because softball didn't start until age 7. During her first year on a pitching machine at 8, her team won the GRPA State Championship.

She's eyeing even bigger accomplishments at Calhoun next year.

"My goal in every season is to win the championship. Now I'm ready to start winning championships in high school," McBrayer said. "My goal for this summer is to help my team win a PFG Championship.

"It's a team effort, but I want to step up and do my part as a pitcher and a leader to accomplish this goal as a team."

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Maggie McBrayer

Grad Year: 2021
Position: Pitcher
Club Team: Firecrackers-Sewell
High School: Calhoun
Hometown: Calhoun, GA

I know you have been on a couple college visits. How did those go?

The college visits are great! I have visited Oklahoma and Missouri. I have a prospect camp lined up for Duke next month. The coaches have been very nice and personable, and the facilities are excellent. People have always told me, "Keep working hard and you will get a college scholarship." As a young kid you really don't know what that meant, but when you go and visit a college campus, you get to see and experience what a college scholarship really means. I plan on visiting a few more colleges this year.

What is your greatest strength on the field?

My curveball is probably my best pitch, and my changeup is right behind. I'm working on my riseball. I spin the ball really well, and that helps me out a lot.

Do you play other sports?

I play basketball and plan to play that in high school as well.

How do you think basketball helps you in softball?

It helps me stay conditioned, and the mental toughness of it helps me a lot being that you have to work so hard for both sports.

What are your goals for this summer and going into high school?

My goals are to win championships in softball! We have a very good high school softball program, so I plan to help lead them to state championships. We also have a great travel team that I believe can win the PGF National Championship.

What are your ultimate dreams/goals?

After high school, I plan on attending a college that has the same goal as me -- winning the WCWS! My dreams are playing for the 2024 Olympic team and winning a gold medal. I hope that the National Pro Fastpitch League continues to grow because it would be a real dream to make a living playing softball.

What is your favorite college teams?

My favorite is Florida right now, and it has been for the past three years. I just enjoy watching them win and their pitching is awesome. and I love their pitching coach. I met her at a pitching camp about two years ago.

What is your family like?

My family is very supportive, and they are my biggest fans. They make sure that I have everything I need when it comes to softball. It takes a lot of time, effort, money, and sacrifice to play top-level softball. It's hard work every single day for both me and my parents. I couldn't do it without the support of my family. Thank you, mom, dad, and family for your support!

What is one of your favorite memories from club ball?

We make great memories every practice and every game. We are a tight-knit team and very supportive of each other. Having said that, the experience of PGF Nationals is hard to beat. The feeling of winning and going undefeated in Indiana and going to PGF in California was a really great.

Have you ever had in setbacks that kept you from playing? How did you get back?

In sixth grade, I broke my big toe a few days before the region championship game. I wasn't medically cleared for practice. On the morning of game day it was still unclear whether I could play. Finally, a few hours before game time I was cleared to play. I wasn't sure how I would do since I hadn't been able to practice for several days, and I didn't know how my foot would feel. We won the championship, and I had one of my best performances of the season.

How would your friends describe you?

Funny, I laugh all the time. I act kind of crazy around them, and I'm outgoing.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals?

I always have to have a ball in my glove, and my face mask has to be on top of my glove or it bothers me.

If you could travel anywhere right now where would it be?

Probably back to PGF Nationals because it's a great environment and the weather is beautiful and winning with your team and bonding is awesome.

What kind of movies do you like?

Disney movies. My favorite is probably "The Lion King."

What kind of music do you like?

I like country music a lot. My favorite is Luke Bryan.

What kind of food do you like?

I like ice cream a lot, it's my favorite. I could eat ice cream any day, any time. My favorite is birthday cake.

What do you like to do outside of school and softball?

I like to hang out with my friends and go out to eat and go to the movies. Just stuff I don't normally get to do.

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