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The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced today that Ava Ratliff of Bedford North Lawrence High School (Ind.) is the 2023 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year and Abigail Pikas of Pacheco High School (Calif.) captured the New Balance Golden Shoe Award.
Below are the bios of the recipients as well as past winners of the awards…
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Ava Ratliff – 2023 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year
Ratliff earns the distinction for the second straight year after being voted the 1st team All-America catcher. Over 32 games, Ratliff hit .538, with a state-high 22 home runs, 53 RBI and a .860 slugging percentage.
The sophomore recorded 57 base hits and 16 doubles, scored 23 runs and posted a .590 on-base percentage. Her hits, doubles and RBI are new program records.
Ratliff, a 1st team All-State selection, was stellar defensively, sporting a perfect fielding percentage in 250 chances and throwing out 35 percent (nine) of runners attempting to steal.
Previous NFCA/Diamond Sports High School Catchers of the Year
| Year | Name | School |
| 2022 | Ava Ratliff | Bedford North Lawrence High School (Ind.) |
| 2021 | Jacque Adams | Bryan High School (Texas) |
| 2020 | Award not Presented | Â ——— |
| 2019 | Emma Kauf | Lincoln Southwest High School (Neb.) |
| 2018 | Sophie Dunavant | Jackson Christian High School (Tenn.) |
| 2017 | Danielle Romanello | Canterbury School (Fla.) |
| 2016 | Bailey Hemphill | St. Thomas More Catholic High School (La.) |
| 2015 | Regan Hathaway | Olathe Northwest High School (Kan.) |
| 2014 | Reagan Hathaway | Olathe Northwest High School (Kan.) |
| 2013 | Jillian Ferraro | Bishop O’Connell High School (Va.) |
| 2012 | Taylore Fuller | Chiefland High School (Fla.) |
| 2011 | Sarah Mooney | North Mecklenburg High School (N.C.) |
| 2010 | Sarah Mooney | North Mecklenburg High School (N.C.) |
| 2009 | Brittany Marcet | Pearland High School (Texas) |
| 2008 | Calli Wood | Bryan High School (Texas) |
| 2007 | Staria Guffey | St. Amant High School (La.) |
| 2006 | Stacie Chambers | Cactus High School (Ariz.) |
| 2005 | Stacie Chambers | Cactus High School (Ariz.) |
| 2004 | Kristen Pocock | Mater Dei High School (Calif.) |
| 2003 | Nichole Willis | Clovis High School (Calif.) |
| 2002 | Kristin Gunter | Brenham High School (Texas) |
| 2001 | Annie Dell’Aria | Bishop O’Connell High School (Va.) |
| 2000 | Veronica Richardson | East Islip High School (N.Y.) |
| 1999 | Michelle Brander | Jenison High School (Miss.) |
| 1998 | Toria Auelua | Pacifica High School (Calif.) |
| 1997 | Christa Pfeninger | Horizon High School (Ariz.) |
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Abigail Pikas – 2023 New Balance Golden Shoe Award
Pikas, who earned 1st team All-Region (IV) honors at the utility/pitcher positions, was perfect on the base paths with a Northern California state-record 69 stolen bases (2.56 per game).
Setting eight school records during her career at Pacheco, Pikas hit .613 (57-for-93) in her senior season with 17 doubles, 48 runs scored and 20 RBI.
The 2023 Western Athletic Conference MVP and Merced Sun-Star Softball Player of the Year 1st team selection also helped the Panthers with her arm, posting a 13-7 record with a 2.97 ERA and 107 strikeouts over 119.2 innings of work.
Note: to be eligible for the NFCA/New Balance Golden Shoe Award, a student-athlete must have been nominated for All-Region.
The winner, voted by member head coaches, came from a list of the Top 5 most prolific base stealers (strength of schedule and other statistical categories accounted for) amongst those nominated for All-Region.
Previous NFCA/New Balance Golden Shoe High School Award Winners
| Year | Name | School |
| 2022 | Chelsea Mack | Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School (Ohio) |
| 2021 | Kayla Falterman | The Woodlands High School (Texas) |
| 2020 | Award Not Presented | —– |
| 2019 | Alexa Raphael | Mt. St. Dominic Academy (N.J.) |
| 2018 | Rachel Hammons | Bourgade Catholic High School (Ariz.) |
| 2017 | Kendall Beth Sides | Sumiton Christian High School (Ala.) |
| 2016 | Nicky Dawson | Parkview Baptist High School (La.) |
| 2015 | Rachel Hammons | Bourgade Catholic High School (Ariz.) |
| 2014 | Taylor Lockwood | Walker High School (La.) |
| 2013 | Vanessa Shippy | Lake City High School (Id.) |
| 2012 | Janae Langs | Climax-Scotts High School (Mich.) |
| 2011 | Jayda Carney | Baker High School (Ala.) |
| 2010 | Emily Albus | Brenham High School (Texas) |
| 2009 | Emily Albus | Brenham High School (Texas) |
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Awards Program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.