DECEMBER 2020
CARLY AND MCKENZIE
@_carly.nelson_
@case_batbusters_miller
Carly and Mckenzie were nominated and voted by their teammates, on Case Batbusters Miller 10u and 12u to be Bellalete Players of the month.
Read more about Carly and Mckenzie in our Bellalete Journal!
November 2020
SAI SAI
Her mission is to work hard everyday while surrounding herself with family, teammates, coaches, and mentors that lift her up in the pursuit of her softball goal: to play college softball.
OCTOBER 2020
SAMAYA JINNA
Samaya is a 9-year-old travel ball pitcher and centerfielder. She says her favorite part of the game is hitting.
Why hitting?
She loves running the bases, RBI's, helping her team, and walk-off home runs!
Samaya is a little bit shy but you can see that competitive spirit come out when it's ball time.
(We know so many softballers who can relate to that!)
Samaya first caught our attention back in March, her dad was posting her daily drills and we saw the look in her eye, the focus, the competitive edge that takes a player far...like as far as UCLA Softball, which is one of her goals!
She admires Aaliyah Jordan (UCLA's Position Outfielder and big hitter) and Samaya said that if she could ask her anything she would want to know how she balanced school and softball because that's what she has to do now and it's hard!
SEPTEMBER 2020
RILEY SHUBB
Introducing, Riley Shubb, 16-year-old middle infielder, whose favorite part of softball is "laying out" AKA making a diving catch and then the quick throw.
We tried something new this month, we asked our April 2019, first-ever POTM, Kaia Glickman. to nominate our September 2020 POTM and she really knows how to pick 'em!
We heard from a couple of sources that Riley is the first one to pick up a teammate when she is down. She likes to cheer a lot and loudly, and she is a positive force for the team and her teammates.
Kaia said, about Riley, "I nominated Riley because over the past four years she's been such a positive influence, and had a great impact on our team. I know I can always go to her when I need support. I admire her willingness to step in on the field wherever and whenever she is needed."
AUGUST 2020
JUJU MOFFET
“We started softball five years ago and we just never stopped!”
Say hello to Juju Moffett, Bellalete Player of the Month for August!
Juju is a 9 year old Rec League Pitcher who took to softball immediately, naturally and intensely. In fact, one of the things that caught our eye was her focused athleticism. She is a tough, skilled pitcher and batter with precision form and a work ethic to match.
During COVID19, she is really missing softball games and being with her teammates and can’t wait to get back at it.
JULY 2020
IMANI FERRIS
Imani Ferris, a 14-year-old pitcher and centerfielder travel ball player.
We have had Imani on our minds for a year and after we found out that she was Valedictorian of her 8th-grade graduating class we knew we had to know more about her.
Here's the quick scoop: she believes that school comes before softball, but she says that it is the same focus that helps her excel at both.
She says that she sometimes gets too much in her head and she has to just let go, say "you got this" and just do the thing, whether it's a pivotal moment on the rubber or a Math Decathlon (which she won, BTW).
She is BRIGHT, both in spirit and in intellect and her radiance is contagious. You leave your time with Imani with a sense of lightness and a big smile.
JUNE 2020
HANNAH SOUTHWICK
"My favorite part of the game is the pressure. It's challenging...and I like being challenged...when there's a really good hitter, I can push harder (as a pitcher) for my teammates and it's a lot of fun."
Hannah is a pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder from Belfast NY.
Hannah, Bellalete's June 2020 Player of the Month, jumped off the social media page at us with her positivity, respect for her coaches and teammates, and her determination to get better.⠀
Last year she was nominated for All-American but she wasn't ready as an athlete...yet. After putting in a lot of time and work during the off-season this year she gets to go to Maryland and play in the All-American games!
We love that kind of FOCUS on a long view goal.
MAY 2020
SIENA AND EMMA GREENLINGER
“It’s disappointing because we didn’t get to have our season together, but at the same time we have to be grateful for what we have. Not everyone has a sister they can play with.” - Siena
Meet Siena, 11 year old pitcher & centerfielder, and Emma, 8 year old pitcher & catcher!
These two positive and thoughtful softball sisters are Bellalete’s May 2020 Players of the Month!
We’ve been watching these two train together, play together, and continue to work just as hard during the downtime as they do on the field.
They also know well enough to not take anything for granted.
Emma says she is thankful for the equipment they have in their backyard so they can keep training!
MARCH 2020
ARIAH CAMARILLO
Meet Ariah, 8-year-old pitcher, and first baseman.
Ariah is another player who caught our eye with her hard work and her confidence to go after what she wants.
This girl plays on three teams and practices every day, and she says that is still not enough.
Good thing she has a supportive family to help her out, her mom is her mental supporter and her dad is her coach, along with some help from big sister.
What motivates her?
She wants to be the best, play in college, and be on TV!
FEBRUARY 2020
KATE TRUDGEN
We like to call her Hermosa Kate!
Meet Kate, 13-year-old shortstop and center-fielder, travel ball player, all-around great gal AND the Bellalete Player of the Month for February!
Kate is an Athlete, yes with a capitol A!
She plays soccer, basketball and does Jr Guards just to stay in shape for softball which is her true love sport.
Kate is a smart player, she knows the game well and she likes to be helpful.
Kate knows (and we see it in her) that being an athlete, and a teammate is more than just being physically skilled, it's being willing to work together, and be there 100% for everyone on the team.
JANUARY 2020
AUDREY
This 10 year old is one of the hardest working players we know, and when it is time to work, she is all business.
She runs drills at home and on the field daily and is an amazing teammate to her fellow Ohana Tigers. Visit her Instagram to get to know her!
DECEMBER 2019
AYANNA GAMBLE
We asked Ayanna where she gets her inspiration from.
First off, she said her parents because they always made her work hard even after a big accomplishment. Growing up she said her room was plastered with John Wooden quotes.
Ayanna has inspired us with her talent, humility, confidence and work ethic.
November 2019
MACEY KIM
Pitcher, outfielder, supportive teammate, travel ball player, and a player who is always working on her physical and mental game!
Macey, you are an inspiration!
October
SERENA HOPKINS
Serena is a catcher and outfielder for West High and also plays for SoCal Athletics, 18U travel ball team.⠀
This young woman is a beast, balancing two teams, school work, extracurricular activities like ASB, and putting in extra strength work on the side. 🙌
When Bellalete went to interview her, she talked a LOT about teamwork, camaraderie and the support she has had from her coaches. Serena is one of the most POSITIVE players we have met. She is loaded with great advice and you can tell that she has put thought into how she conducts herself and how she wants to move forward in the world of softball and beyond. We are looking forward to telling you more about this confident, mindful, hardworking and inspiring young woman.
SEPTEMBER
Sisters, Maha & Jordy
Softball sisters...Jordy & Maha! 🙌🏾
Why two? The sister bond is universal & the softball bond is undeniable, put them together and you have a recipe for a lifetime of success. We know this is going to inspire you to find your own softball sister, related or not, to support each other in your softball journey.
Jordy is 13, she is currently in transition mode, about to try out for her high school team and is practicing with a travel ball team in hopes of securing a permanent position. She has been playing since she was 8 and is a pitcher & a center fielder.
Speedy is her middle name! She is quiet and focused, sometimes goofy and funny. Jordy is an awesome big sister to Maha!
Maha is 9, and has been playing softball since she was 5! Her big sister is the sole reason she started playing softball, she would go to games and watch her play and pitch and decided she wanted to play too. Maha is sassy, bubbly, energetic and this young lady loves to chat! She loves talking about softball and going through pitches with Jordy.
AUGUST
MADDIE MCALLISTER
We have had our eye on Maddie for almost a year now, and have watched her, work hard, be passed over at All-stars and travel ball tryouts, work even harder everydayand commit herself to tryout again at the next one. This determination and can’t-get-me-down attitude is why she has been selected to be our August POTM. Maddie is now 10 years old and has great coaches who have allowed her to try different positions (she loves being catcher). Keep scrolling to read what her mom has to say about Maddie’s softball journey so far.
“She had tried many sports (soccer, dance, gymnastics, cheer) but has fallen in love with softball. She looks at tryouts as opportunities to find out weaknesses that she can work on. At the beginning of the season she was unable to hit or throw very well, but with strong coaches and supportive teammates she has improved greatly. She is coachable and puts forth tremendous effort.
She isn't looking to be better than everyone else. She wants to be better than herself last season.”
July
SAM FISCHER
Professional softball player, Sam Fischer caught our attention with her hardcore work ethic, her steady athletic skills that get the job done and her never-ending sense of humor.
"This has been a crazy journey and I sometimes can’t believe I’m where I am in my life. Softball has been the LOVE of my life for as long as I can remember and everything I’ve ever done is to make sure I can play for as long as possible. I love getting out on the field and doing anything that has to do with the game. I’ve never shied away from EXTRA PRACTICE and I’ve never felt burnt out from playing too much. If I could, I’d play every single day. My DAD (Rick) and I have been out to the field on every major holiday because I always wanted to work hard and get better at this sport. The main goal I have for myself is to play the game with PASSION and at 100% every time I step on the field. I want to be remembered as someone who went out and had FUN and loved the game as much as possible."
Passion, effort, consistency and a commitment to making it fun. We would say that's a great recipe for success.
June
TAYLOR PEACOCK
Taylor is a softball pitcher and first baseman. She plays for her local middle school team and is also on a 12u all star team. Taylor was one of 360 softball players from around the country who was selected to play at the USA Softball All-American Tournament at Hall of Fame Stadium. Taylor is determined, strong, and kind. Taylors Mom, Brandy played softball and now coaches Taylor!
MAY
KAMAILE HO
Kamaile has been a part of Bellalete since day one and she represents all that Bellalete stands for. Her work ethic is STRONG, which leads her to her talent and accomplishments on the field. As a pitcher she hits her spots, she gets in the zone and doesn’t let what others think phase her, she takes it one pitch at a time and one game at a time. Kamaile is focused on her DREAMS! - she is not afraid to set a big dream; she wants to pitch for the University of Texas! -She is a dedicated student in the classroom and a talented dancer! Her multi-discipline training adds to her athleticism, focus and ability to stay loose. Kamaile is a light hearted and supportive teammate and a dedicated SOFTBALL PLAYER!
APRIL
KAIA GLICKMAN
Kaia Glickman, has been playing softball since she was 6. She plays for her high school, Campbell Hall Vikings and for Firecrackers Travel Ball. Kaia gives a lot of credit to her teammates over the years for their friendships and support both on and off the field. She has played with many of them, including TJ and Litto, from the beginning and they have all followed each other through the progression of rec ball, high school, and travel, staying together on the same teams! A fun side fact: Wilshire Softball was the first rec league to order custom Bellalete all-stars pants...in PURPLE!
