Kayla Corbett a White Sox All-Star, selected as AL rep for Ball Crew

CHICAGO -- Another All-Star selection for the White Sox has been made.

Unlike third baseman Miguel Vargas, this individual has not taken a swing or thrown a pitch for the 2026 squad that is sitting in a tie for first with Cleveland atop the American League Central. Nonetheless, this choice frequently has been on Rate Field in uniform over the past three months.

It’s Kayla Corbett, who was selected as the AL representative for the All-Star Ball Crew. She joins Genevieve Ortega-Alves from the Padres for the National League.

“Oh, my goodness. I’m so excited,” said Corbett prior to Thursday’s series finale between her White Sox and the Red Sox. “I can’t even express how much excitement and how much the Sox have showed up for me, truthfully.”

Corbett, 24, is from Chicago’s Canaryville neighborhood and joined the White Sox in 2018 as the organization’s first ball girl after graduating from Oak Lawn High School. The ball boy/girl program was launched by the White Sox in 2017, and currently there is one other ball girl with Corbett and eight in the program overall.

“We all rotate depending on our schedule,” Corbett said. “So, we try to get at least three to four games per month.

“Just assisting with players, with the equipment. If the relief pitcher comes in, we go and grab their stuff from the bullpen.”

So, there’s more to the role than tracking foul balls down the line, although as a softball player in travel ball and high school, Corbett is ready for that responsibility. She’s made many a nice catch but also missed a few, as would be expected.

“Oh, yes, yes. I missed a few grounders, actually,” a smiling Corbett said. “Just have to run and go after it.

“Being on the field in general with the players, the atmosphere, interacting with the kids, it’s truly amazing. Everybody in the bullpen area, coaching staff, the players, they all are very welcoming and very nice.”

As for the most creative request to get a foul ball?

“Usually, ‘It’s my birthday,’” Corbett said. “But they are adults.”

Michael Gomez, the White Sox director of game presentation, nominated Corbett for this All-Star honor, and she was “just so happy” for the opportunity. White Sox fans quickly came through for her across social media.

“I can’t thank them enough,” Corbett said. “It’s amazing.”

Corbett and her uncle, Michael, leave Friday for Philadelphia and return Wednesday. The employee of the City of Chicago, dealing with special events, will be in action for the All-Star Game on Tuesday but also will be attending Saturday’s MLB Draft. The born-and-raised White Sox fan would love to take a picture with the Yankees' Aaron Judge and, of course, Vargas, the White Sox organization’s other All-Star.

“He’s one of my favorite Sox players,” said Corbett. “Honestly all of them, but yeah, there’s a few.”