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 Tuesday, July 18, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: ISABELLA “BELLA” GONZALEZ
Uncommitted 2027 RHP/1B Isabella Gonzalez recently talked to Dugout Chatter about USA Athletics 2026-RML, Gahr High, the 14U National Pool at Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July, Beverly Bandits Premier-Norwood, being the youngest, future college, criminal psychology, writing, Justin Turner, “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Family Ties,” “On My Block,” “The Sandlot” and juggling.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Isabella Gonzalez
Hometown: Cerritos, CA
High School: Gahr High
Club Team: USA Athletics 2026-RML 14U
Graduation Year: 2027
Height: 5-foot-4
Position: RHP/1B
Nickname: My mom and dad gave me my nickname because “Bella” is short for Isabella.
Twitter/Instagram: @bellag2027/@bellag2027
Honors: Academic Award for Academic Excellence (4.0 GPA) for 1st and 2nd semester (1021-22); Academic Award for Academic Excellence (3.9 GPA) for 1st and 2nd semester (2022-23); Silver Medal High Honors; Presidential Academic Excellence; USSSA West Coast National Champions and named Most Outstanding Pitcher (2022); Triple Crown Memorial Day Classic co-champions (2023); and 5th in the 14U National Power Pool at Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July (2-23).
Travel Ball Fall 2022 Stats: 27 games, 1.247 ERA, 73.0 IP, 40 hits, 13 ER, 85 Ks, 0.096 WHIP and .156 batting average against.
Travel Ball Summer Stats (so far): 27 games, 2.066 ERA, 81.1 IP, 61 hits, 24 ER, 97 Ks, 1.205 WHIP and .199 batting average against.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started with USA Athletics in July 2020. Fastforward three years later and I’m still with Coach Michelle Lehr and USA Athletics. These past three years I have grown so much. I’ve played against top teams from all over the country. I love this team because we all have the desire to win and we all work hard. I’m thankful for this team and for my coaches because they expect a lot from us and want us to succeed. This team and organization have also given me opportunities to showcase my skills by playing up with 16s and believe in me during high-pressure situations.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? Will give you more information soon!
Can you tell us about your experience and 5th-place finish in the recent 14U National Power Pool at the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July? Playing in Colorado was a very tough, but yet amazing experience. There were a lot of very tough teams and they pushed me to limits that I thought I would never get pushed to. I’m very proud of my team. Our team may be small, but when we step onto that field, just know that we are going to give it our all. Playing in the Sparkler National Power Pool tournament made me realize that I needed my speed, spin and movement to be on point in order to compete against these elite hitters. I needed to be both physically and mentally strong.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I’ve faced very tough teams! One of my toughest opponents was Beverly Bandits (Premier)-Norwood 14U. We played them during PGF summer 2022. They are strong both defensively and offensively.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Something that I have faced/overcome has been always being the youngest player on the team. Being the youngest player on the team has made me step up my game mentally and physically. Mentally, I tell myself that no matter how big or small or how good or bad a player/hitter is, you will always dominate when going up against them. Physically, it has pushed me to make sure that my spins, speed and movement are on point. Softball is a game of inches, and, as we all know, if you leave something over the plate, it will get smashed. But being the youngest on the team is a blessing in disguise because when people underestimate you, you get to show up and show those people who you really are what your game is about.
What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a college that will help me reach my career goals while also being able to play softball.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in criminal psychology because I think that it’s really cool to dig deep into a criminal’s brain and figure out why that person did the things that they did. I’m also interested in being a nurse because I really like being in stressful/pressured situations and helping people.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject to study in school is writing. I love writing because it is a way of letting your imagination run wild or express yourself.
Who is your sports hero and why? Justin Turner because he is an amazing baseball player and he doesn’t let money change the way he sees the world. He always gives back to his community and helps families/kids in need.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read is “The Fault In Our Stars” (by John Green). I love to read this book because it is funny, but also sad. It makes the reader realize that they should be thankful for what they have and not take time for granted.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is “Family Ties” by Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem because the beat makes you want to get up and play your best. For me personally, it helps me stay locked in before game time.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge on is “On My Block.” I love to binge this show because I feel that a lot of teens can relate to the content that it talks about and the characters make the show super funny.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “The Sandlot.” I love this movie because it is a classic and it’s very funny.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can juggle.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The USA Softball GOLD Nationals for 18U & 16U are July 17-23 in OKC. Wichita Mustangs (18U) and Oklahoma Pure Fastpitch 06 Premier-Melson (16U) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The PGF Nationals for 18U Premier, 18U Platinum, 16U Premier & 16U Platinum are July 22-29 in Orange County, CA. Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier (18U Premier), Rock Gold-Manetta (18U Platinum), Georgia Impact-Caymol (16U Premier) and Breakers Labs-Carter (16U Platinum) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***Alliance Nationals for 14U & 12U from July 23-29 are at Grand Park, IN. Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass (14U) and Impact Gold 2K9 National (12U) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The Alliance Nationals for 18U & 16U from July 23-30 are at BLD Chino Hills/Rosetta Canyon/BLD Perris/BLD Riverside/La Puente Sports Complex, CA. OC Batbusters-Stith (18U) and Mojo 2023-Lunsford (16U) 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 …
#barbieheimer week pic.twitter.com/BadS0OHH0x
— better call saul spoilers (@odenhead) July 16, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
