Ella Bruning, the star player and only girl in her team among 13 boys, is the 20th girl to play in the Little League World Baseball series – a championship baseball tournament for little league players. Nicknamed the “studette” catcher, Ella has managed to help her team win again and again, proving that gender doesn’t determine your talent.
In the past, Ella has played multiple sports, including softball and basketball, and is starting volleyball this fall. She played on the 10-year-old All-Star team two years ago with only boys, hence her nickname “Ella and the Fellas.” She grew up in a sports family, following in her mother’s footsteps who had also played sports. Though she is the only girl on the team, she is treated the same as the others. “On-the-field, they don’t treat me any differently,” she said. “Off-the-field, it’s a little different because I can’t stay with them in a room. I have to stay in my own room.”
Ella has helped her team become nearly impossible to beat. She went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run in Texas’s win against Washington. She has also earned multiple compliments. After qualifying for the Southwest regional championship game, Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras complimented her on her quick reaction speed. She also received a video from softball Olympian, Jennie Finch.
It is easy for Ella to be both a catcher and a pitcher, especially due to her ability to see what each pitch looks like and make in-game adjustments to improve her pitches. If she pitches in this tournament, she could become the only second woman to ever pitch a shutout (Mo’ne Davis being the first).
Ella hopes she can be an inspiration and positive influence towards younger girls, telling them, “Don’t worry about what other people think. Just do what you think is best!”
In the past, Ella has played multiple sports, including softball and basketball, and is starting volleyball this fall. She played on the 10-year-old All-Star team two years ago with only boys, hence her nickname “Ella and the Fellas.” She grew up in a sports family, following in her mother’s footsteps who had also played sports. Though she is the only girl on the team, she is treated the same as the others. “On-the-field, they don’t treat me any differently,” she said. “Off-the-field, it’s a little different because I can’t stay with them in a room. I have to stay in my own room.”
Ella has helped her team become nearly impossible to beat. She went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run in Texas’s win against Washington. She has also earned multiple compliments. After qualifying for the Southwest regional championship game, Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras complimented her on her quick reaction speed. She also received a video from softball Olympian, Jennie Finch.
It is easy for Ella to be both a catcher and a pitcher, especially due to her ability to see what each pitch looks like and make in-game adjustments to improve her pitches. If she pitches in this tournament, she could become the only second woman to ever pitch a shutout (Mo’ne Davis being the first).
Ella hopes she can be an inspiration and positive influence towards younger girls, telling them, “Don’t worry about what other people think. Just do what you think is best!”
