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 Friday, June 30, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: KI’ELE HO-CHING
Uncommitted 2026 MIF/OF/3B/UT Ki’ele Ho-Ching recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Athletics Mercado-Hovermale, Long Beach Poly High, the Patriot Games, battling herself, include others, future college, business, Criminology, Jocelyn Alo, “The Giving Tree,” Island Reggae, “Criminal Minds,” Disney movies and baking cookies.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Ki’ele Ho-Ching
Hometown: Lakewood, CA
High School: Long Beach Poly High
Club Team: Athletics Mercado-Hovermale 16U
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: MIF/OF/3B/UT
Nickname: My Aunty Priscilla always had nicknames for us and she was the one who nicknamed me “Puka” (Pooka), which means fatso or chubby in Samoan. She also named me “Ele,” which is short for Ki’ele. Most people mispronounce my name and say “Keeley” and some will just call me “K” for short, but I like “Ele” better.
Twitter/Instagram: @_kielehoching2026/@kiele_hoching
Honors: Principal’s Honor Roll; Scholar Athlete; All-American champion (2021); Player(s) of the Game for Alliance (2021 & 2022); and Triple Crown All-Tournament (2022).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .386 AVG, 106 ABs, 42 hits, 11 doubles and 10 HRs.
High School Stats: League games — .500 AVG, 3 doubles, 3 triples and 3 HRs.
Travel Ball Summer Stats (so far): .500 AVG, 52 ABs, 27 hits, 8 doubles, 4 HRs and 22 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? (It’s a) long story but the short version is we have always heard of the Mercado Athletics teams and how good their teams were. We also played against them a few times and I always thought they were a team I would not mind being on because of their energy. At that time, I was 8 years old playing on a 10U team only playing outfield, but also wanted to play shortstop or second. My dad asked the coach if I could have some time at short or second and coach said no because I was the youngest on the team. At the same time, my cousin Sina’s Power Surge team was looking for a 2nd baseman and my Uncle Toalei (Uncle T) called my dad. It was a perfect situation, but the only problem was we were 2 hours away. I played that season and we did amazing. We actually were knocked out of PGF that year by an Athletics Mercado team, which my current teammate, Taelyn, played for back then. The next season Sina moved to Mercado and my uncle T wanted me to come along, however, it was another far drive for my parents so I stayed local. In the summer of 2021, my sister and I tried out for Mercado and I made the team for Coach (Brian) Tidd and my sister made the team for Coach (Rick) Hovermale. It was still far from us, but my parents felt it was for the best. My sister and I are both with Mercado and it’s been great. We’ve been to many showcases and played in many tournaments and there are so many colleges that attend just to watch us compete. The coaches know the game very well and they expect the best from everyone, including the parents. What I love the most about my organization is the type of girls I get to play with. They are all competitive and want to win. They all have high energy and I love it because I am the same way.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? My dad and uncle are legends at Poly High School, so for me, I have to carry on that legacy. My sister, Tiare (Ho-Ching), first experienced high school softball at Poly and she would say it was totally the opposite of competitive travel ball. Poly is a great academic school. It is also known for sports, except softball. My parents always told us to change the culture of any situation and make a positive impact. We want to make Poly known for softball so we are playing ball there and collaboratively making a positive impact. I love my Poly team and with my sister, Tiare, cousins — Emoni (Lam Sam) and Janelle (Morris) — playing there, we are definitely making an impact and changing the culture. I did exceptionally good this (year) with the second-highest batting average of .562, which was only second to my sister, Tiare, and was MVP for multiple games.
Can you talk about your recent experience at the Patriot Games in Colorado and how your team did? The Patriot Games were amazing. I loved playing by all my teammates sides and I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. All my teammates played huge roles in the victory whether they were on or off the field. I love our team’s energy, vibe and fight. Not to mention our chemistry is outstanding for it being our first year together. Thank you to my coaches and parents and all of my supporters, truly means the world to me that so many people show up and support us. It’s more than a game to me … it’s life. If we stay together as a team next year, it would be really tough to beat us.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Myself. I’ve always told myself no one will ever outwork or outplay me. I’m my biggest competitor and there’s always room for improvement. The game of softball can be mentally challenging, so picking myself up and challenging myself is what’s needed to get better.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? My parents have always encouraged me to include others and not make someone feel alone or not included in a group or team. There are times where I felt like I was the person my parents told me to look out for. Honestly, I used to get sad about it. Now, I am OK with it because people will be people and I will be me. I have to keep doing me. My mom says stay in my lane and I’ll be fine. My dad says, nose down and keep grinding. That’s what I’m doing.
What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a program that has an expectation of high academic achievement. The atmosphere or campus culture is something that’s also important to me. I come from a very diverse city. For softball, winning is a must and I have to be around people/athletes that feel the same way and expect nothing less from each other.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I like to be in control, so most likely own a business. Being around my coaches and seeing the success they have in their business and having the time or freedom to do things they want and time with their families is something I want to do as well.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Criminology and Forensic Science are my favorite subjects. I’ve taken a forensics class and I instantly fell in love with that field. Science ties into it a little when it comes to labs and autopsies and the mystery of it all is intriguing.
Who is your sports hero and why? Before they got to where they are at now, I watched my cousins Chloe (Malau’ulu), who plays for Mississippi State, and Thessa (Malau’ulu), (who plays) for UCLA, (and they) were my inspirations growing up. I also watch Zaida (Puni), who is currently at Tennessee, and Tiare (Jennings), (who plays) at Oklahoma. They have all made a major impact on me. Any one of them could’ve made the cut, but Jocelyn Alo takes the claim — the impact she’s made not only for her team, the game of softball, but the Polynesian community. I want to make a huge impact like her. (Mary Iakopo is another one of her heroes) I want to make my family and community proud and make noise for them.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? I love the book “The Giving Tree” (by Shel Silverstein). My mom made me read it when I was younger and I am glad she did. It’s short but impactful. The book’s message taught me not to be selfish and asking someone else for so much. I have to go get the things I want myself instead of depending on someone or something that cannot always give. This relates to my life because if I want to be the best, I have to work for it. It will not just come to me.
What’s the best hype song and why? That’s tough. My dad has always played Island Reggae on game days and that music has always been soothing.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Criminal Minds” or any crime-related shows because I absolutely love anything to do with criminology.
What’s your favorite movie and why? Any Disney movie. They remind me of my childhood and make me feel so good. Whenever I need to cheer up I watch a Disney movie.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I bake from scratch all the time and my family says I bake the best cookies.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July is June 26-July 2, Monday-Sunday, in the Denver Metro area, CO.
Athletics Mercado-Smith (18U Power Pool) and Hotshots National-Jones (16U Power Pool) are defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The Independence Day Tournament is Wednesday-Sunday, June 28-July 2, in Boulder, CO.
Hotshots National-Nelson (18U Boulder), Team NC-Eaton (18U Louisville), Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy (16U Longmont) and OC Batbusters-K. Stith (14U Broomfield) are the defending champions.
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 …
We’ve got our #ClarkKent / #Superman & #LoisLane OFFICIALLY cast in #JamesGunn’s #SupermanLegacy to kick off the new #DCU!
Here are some favorite #dccomics I think may inspire these takes on these iconic characters
(Plus some #LexLuthor recs because of all the casting rumors) pic.twitter.com/gFgQxXQhvb
— Coy Jandreau (@CoyJandreau) June 28, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
