Meet the Managers: Al Davis

STARKVILLE – While Mississippi State's softball team prepared to face Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final this spring, Bulldog fans everywhere were introduced to a new face.

Al Davis became a sort of good luck charm when she placed two batting helmets on her head simultaneously and smiled to the camera. "It's not weird if it works," read the caption, and sure enough, it worked.

"I was sitting down, and I saw two helmets, so I just put them on my head," the first-year manager said. "At first, I did not know he was taking a picture. I get the softball Twitter notifications, and I received a notification that a picture had been posted. I looked, and it was me. I was like 'What?'."

It was a full-circle moment for Davis, who has followed the team's account since she was in high school.

Davis' introduction to the Bulldogs began as an opponent. You could start with her time at East Mississippi Community College, or you could go back even further to her playing days at Philadelphia High School.

There, Davis's biggest rival was someone who would years later be her fellow Bulldog in Starkville – Aspen Wesley.

"I played against Aspen twice a year. The last time we won, but other than that they beat us every single year," Davis said. "We did not like Aspen. I only liked Aspen after the game we won, and then I started becoming friends with Aspen."

Al Davis

That friendship didn't truly start growing until Davis got to Starkville though. First, she made a stop at junior college where she stayed involved in the game as a manager. When her team traveled to Nusz Park for a fall game with MSU, Davis decided to see if she could continue managing in Maroon and White.

"I knew that I was going to go to State," Davis remembered. "In December of my sophomore year, I emailed Coach Ricketts and asked her about becoming a manager. She said yes if I planned to come to Mississippi State in the fall."

From her very first practice, Davis attached herself to Ricketts and tried to soak up as much knowledge as she could. She wants to coach one day, and she credits Ricketts for teaching her by example how to manage a group of personalities and lead a team. Davis made sure she locked down a role feeding Ricketts balls during infield drills and stayed with the infield throughout her first season.

"Al has been an absolute light to our program, and we love having her around," Ricketts said. "She's done a great job learning what needs to be done and helping out in many different areas of practice and at games. Her investment in our program is genuine and appreciated."

Over time her role grew. By the time of the Tallahassee Regional, she was responsible for charting MSU's pitchers and earned a spot on the team bus.

"Al is the hype man nobody knew they needed," director of operations Jamie Desporte said. "She was a non-traveling manager until the postseason this past year. Let's just say I don't think it's by coincidence that we went on a hot streak. She's developed relationships with our girls that go beyond the softball field, and she is a joy to have at practice and on the sidelines during games. Al loves Mississippi State softball, and I can assure you Mississippi State softball loves her back."

Al Davis

Davis wants to continue growing, and she already has a goal for next season.

"I am going to face my fear and catch bullpens," she said.

She's caught before, but that was in slowpitch games in high school. In fastpitch games she only ever played first base and right field. The speed at this level won't even be recognizable.

"The ball comes so quick," Davis said. "You have to keep your eye on the ball. I know it's the same thing with hitting, but catching is a little different. You can stick your bat out there and swing and miss. Catching is different."

She plans to start with just a mask and her mitt, but admits she'll have to adjust to wearing the full gear if she takes too many off the shins. And as for her old yet new friend Aspen?

"I think I could probably hit off her a little better than catching her."

For those who know Al, they wouldn't be surprised. A little talk never hurt anyone, right?

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