Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Thursday, June 22, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: GRACIE CICCARELLO
Eckerd College-bound MIF Gracie Ciccarello recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Tampa Mustangs-Rene, Plant High, dealing with her size, Lily Holtje, Eckerd College, coaching, English, Derek Jeter, “Heads-Up Baseball,” Tory Lanez, “The Office,” “Pitch Perfect” and glovework.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Gracie Ciccarello
Hometown: Tampa, FL
High School: Plant High
Club Team: Tampa Mustangs 18U-Rene
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-0
Position: MIF
Nickname: “Peanut.” One of my Mustang coaches, Coach (Derrick) Brooks, has called me Peanut ever since I could remember.
Twitter/Instagram: @ciccarello2023
Honors: National Honors Society; selected for the FACA Seniors All-Star Game; High School Defensive Player of the Year (2021); 2nd Team All-Western Conference (2022); and 1st Team All-Western Conference (2023).
High School Stats: .341 AVG, .406 OBP and .961 fielding percentage with over 100 attempts.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have played for Tampa Mustangs-Rene since 10U when the team first started.
Tell us about your time at Plant High and your journey to reach the state championship game as a senior? During my freshman and sophomore years playing for Plant softball, we weren’t very good, but by my junior year a change started to occur in the atmosphere and culture within the players. By my senior year, our team grew closer than it’s ever been. We became not only teammates but sisters and best friends. The culture became that of a family just like it is on Tampa Mustangs-Rene. Our success this past high school season truly came when we played for one another and trusted each other, but most importantly we were having fun together. Each game leading up to states, we fought as a team believing and trusting in the girls and coaches around us. We won districts, regionals and made it to the state championship, which hadn’t been done at Plant in over 20 years. Although our season didn’t end how we would have liked, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Have you overcome/faced something in your life that has made you the person you are today? My biggest challenge growing up has been dealing with my size. I was always the smallest on the teams I’ve been on and was constantly doubted by coaches. Although being told I was too small or wasn’t big enough hurt, I only used that as motivation to work harder and prove others wrong. Now. as I’m older, I understand I don’t need to try and prove people wrong. All that matters is that I am having fun and playing the game that makes me happy. I overcame my challenges with my size by believing in myself no matter what others thought of me.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I would say during this past year playing for Plant our toughest opponent was Lily Holtje. She’s one of the best hitters I know and I’m pretty sure every time we played her this past year she hit a home run off of us. She’s just a great batter in the box and you really have to be careful on what you’re throwing her.
So excited to become a Triton!! #thankful #committed #gotritons @EckerdSoftball @MustangsRene pic.twitter.com/6rNy5u6mn9
— Gracie Ciccarello (@ciccarello2023) March 14, 2022
Why did you choose to commit to Eckerd College (in St. Petersburg, FL)? I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at Eckerd College because I believe that’s where I will be the happiest and thrive in my softball career the most. I also absolutely love Coach Katie (Profitt) and the culture she has created with the players there.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? When it comes to my future occupations, I’m not really sure what I want to do, but I do know I want to become a grad assistant for a softball program while I’m getting my Master’s (Degree). Coaching runs in my family and I’ve always felt drawn to it, so having the ability to coach softball after I have played is the plan.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject to study in school would probably have to be English. I’ll admit I’m not always a fan of writing essays, but something about writing I love. I also find it extremely interesting to look for the deeper meaning within poems or books.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Derek Jeter. Ever since I could remember he has been my favorite all-time player. He’s not only one of the best hitters in the game, but one of the best fielders. When I first had the ability to pick a number for myself in little league, I picked number 2 after my favorite player, Derek Jeter, and I’ve been 2 ever since.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? I’m not a big reader, but the book I like to read is “Heads-Up Baseball (by Tom Hanson & Ken Ravizza). It’s all about a player’s mentality, which I believe is the most important aspect of the game. This book was actually mentioned at a camp I went to by one of the coaches and that’s what led me to purchase it and begin reading it.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song right now would have to be “Stupid Again” by Tory Lanez.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “The Office.” It’s just one of those shows that always makes me laugh.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Pitch Perfect.” I don’t really know why, but I just love it.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I don’t really have a secret talent or skill, but I’ve always been really good at glovework. It’s kinda like my craft or art that I’m always aiming to get better at.
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NEWS & NOTES
***Top Club Nationals is Wednesday-Saturday, June 21-24, in OKC. Follow the tournament online HERE.
OC Batbusters-Stith is the defending 18U champion, Hotshots National-Jones is the defending 16U champion, Texas Glory 2K26 and Texas Glory-Naudin shared the 14U title last summer and Hotshots National 09 is the defending 12U champion.
***The inaugural Patriot Games Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, in Windsor, CO, features teams in 14U, 16U and 18U competing for championships.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The 2023 Scenic City Summer is Thursday-Sunday, June 22-25, in Chattanooga, TN. Teams in 14U, 16U and 18U will compete for championships.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song Of The Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Here are the opening credits for #SecretInvasion, made up of all AI art.#marvelstudios pic.twitter.com/QZvx8REchJ
— MCU Portal (@MCU_Portal) June 22, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
