KG gets pumped after a big hit in an Impact Gold game.
KG, who has won PGF Nationals championships at 10U and 12U, is a tremendous pitcher and hitter who, as one National Team club coach noted in our bio in the Top 10:
“KG Favors is one of the hardest outs at the plate and an absolute bulldog in the circle. When she steps in the circle or up to the plate, you better be ready and have your ‘A’ game.”
She has certainly shown a work ethic and fire to do whatever it takes to succeed. One of six kids in the Favors family, she and her father, Robert, would drive three hours one way to practice with Gary Smith’s Impact Gold team ranked #1 by Extra Inning Softball for its age division.
As the cliché goes, it’s harder to stay on top than to get there so KG is doing something right—even in these crazy COVID-impacted times.
We asked her what it was like to be named #1 last year up through last week… here’s what she told us today…
*****
I would like to first start by taking you back to when I received the news of being chosen as #1 in the 2025 class last year (2020).
At that time, we were in the middle of the COVID pandemic. I was so honored to be chosen but was also a little difficult because I could not see my teammates to celebrate this phenomenal honor that had just happened in my life.
There were also no practices and no playing.
It was a whole new time for me and all my teammates; one of the hardest things to do was stay focused on practicing every day. I mean, let’s be real, we didn’t know if we were going to be playing the next week, in three months, or at all in the whole year after what had happened, the cancellation with the Women’s College World Series.
I was very surprised in being given the #1 (2025 Extra Elite 100) rating and knew that I had to dig deep because there was going to be pressure coming with the honor.
I started thinking of things like, “What if I miss a pitch? Will everyone look down on me? What if I strike out? will everyone be looking at me?
Thus I put a lot of pressure on myself. I kept working hard, not even knowing when or if we would start back.
The Texan used the down time last year to work out and work on her pitching and hitting.
And then the day came when Coach Gary sent a message saying: “We are practicing such and such weekend” and my heart was filled with so much excitement knowing that I could finally see my teammates who I had not seen since the beginning of March, 2020.
As a team, we were all working together as well as individually and, finally, the day came for us to start our Fall season. Coach Gary hit us with the news that our team would be moving straight up to 14U and the first thing I thought was , “I am going to be pitching to high schoolers!” I admit, it made me a little nervous!
We didn’t have a lot of time to sit around—we had our first tournament beginning in two weeks. I remember I went in with confidence but was still nervous; however, once I got in the circle and Coach Gary started calling those pitches, I felt right at home again.
I had really started working on my curve and rise ball during the down time and put more emphasis on those pitches knowing I would need them against the big girls.
I also had been hitting everyday (up to 400 balls a week) to up my game on the offensive side of the ball to help score more runs for my team’s offense. Additionally, I decided at the end of the fall season to start with a personal trainer to tone my body up and make me stronger.
So here I am once again amazed and appreciative to be thought highly enough to again rank #1 in the 2025 class… it is a true testament to my teammates and the Impact Gold organization of which I’m proud to be a member of!
— KG Favors
*****
One of the best parts of the rankings is letting the athletes know their hard work and talent has been recognized… here is the video of KG learning right before the release of the 2025 Extra Elite 100 that she would be named to the top spot for a second year in a row:
*****
Finally, we go back to the fun story we in 2020 when got to know more about this rising talent…
22 Things You Didn’t Know About 2025 Extra Elite 100 #1 KG Favors
Originally published June 1, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
KG Favors circles the bases after a home run when she was just 4-years-old!
Last Friday (May 29, 2020), we announced our Top 10 of the 2020 Extra Elite 100 and heading the list was Texas two-way standout KG Favors.
KG pitching the championship game at PGF Nationals last year.
KG is the latest in a long line of other #1-ranked top 100 players which includes Jenna Lilley (2014, Oregon), Amanda Lorenz (2015, Florida), 2016 Miranda Elish (2016, Texas) and many more… all the way down to the most recent selection, Sam Roe (2022, Florida).
To read about What It Takes to Be #1 in the Extra Elite 100 Rankings, click HERE
We’ve been a big fan of the young hurler/batter since seeing her dominate at last summer’s PGF Nationals where she led her Impact Gold team to the 12U Platinum National Championship by going 4-0 during bracket play with a 0.89 ERA and 25 K’s in 33.2 innings to earn All-PGF Tournament honors.
To see the complete list of the 2025 Extra Elite 100, click HERE.
Here are some fun facts about this championship-winning player that you may not have known about her on and off the field starting with a bonus one: “KG” stands for “Kaylee Grace!”
*****
1. I started playing softball when I was 4-years-old and still in day care. I would look forward to the games playing softball. I made the all-star team for my park West Mobile and played in the state tournament, still carrying my blankey with me and took naps between games. (but leaving it in the car).
The athlete and her canine friend Mr. Pickles enjoying some time on the water.
2. My favorite TV show is Greys Anatomy.
3. My uncle Michael played on the 1992 Alabama Championship team under Gene Stallings…. (Roll Tide)
4. I want to become an anesthesiologist.
5. I play volleyball, basketball and run track for my middle school.
6. I enjoy jet skiing and hanging out at the beach.
7. I love giving back to my sport. I often volunteer to work softball camps at the facility where I work out at Dbat in Waxahachie TX.
8. I am an animal lover I have two dogs: Bella Rose and Mr. Pickles (named after my favorite concession stand treat).
9. My favorite subject in school is science.
10. I am originally from Mobile, Alabama.
To read more about KG and what makes her unique, scroll down below!
Join Today to Get Unlimited Access to Extra Inning Softball
