One week ago, Isabella Carling was playing alongside her Berlin Little League Softball 12-year-old All-Star teammates as the team chased a state championship.
Once the squad was ousted from the state’s final four, however, Carling, a catcher and outfielder, returned to her Tribe—well specifically the CT Tribe 14U travel softball team she plays for.
This past weekend, The Tribe took on a series of 16U teams in the Battle of the Bats in East Hartford.
Before that tournament, though, Carling, a rising eighth grader who also plays basketball, took time out to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog.
FIRST INNING: How did you become a softball player? What led you to a softball field and why do you enjoy it so much?
ISABELLA CARLING: I was encouraged to play by my dad and by watching my older brother playing baseball. I started with the Berlin softies and loved being able to play the game with my friends.
SECOND INNING: What has been the best part of your team’s Little League season?
IC: The best part was playing with my teammates/friends and enjoying the last year of Little League. I loved watching the younger girls get better.
THIRD INNING: If you could get the game-winning hit in the bottom of the last inning to give your team a win, or make a spectacular defensive play to clinch a win for your team, which would you chose and why?
IC: Last year I was able to get a game-winning hit in All-Stars in the eighth, so I would do that again. I think the reason why I would be I was happy to help my team win with a big hit and to celebrate with a lot of fun.
FOURTH INNING: Who is your favorite softball player, or favorite athlete, and why do you like them so much?
IC: I like (Boston Red Sox player) Jared Duran because he’s a great player and gives 100 percent effort.
FIFTH INNING: If you could learn to play any other position other than your own, what would it be, and why?
IC: I think I would try to play pitcher as I tried it and it’s very tough and challenging. I watch my friend and teammate, Alexis, and see how tough it is, and I like challenges.
SIXTH INNING: If you could give your glove a name, what would it be?
IC: I like “Clutch” since it always comes through when I need it.
SEVENTH INNING: What is the biggest off-the-field “life lesson” you have learned from being a softball player?
IC: To respect everyone—teammates, opponents, coaches, and umpires—and never stop improving. The walk-off hit was against a lot of my travel friends and teammates. After celebrating, I went over to them and hugged them because they played so good, and they were upset about losing.
EIGHTH INNING: What is your most favorite thing to do at a softball practice and why?
IC: Infield/outfield fielding because it helps us, as a team, build a solid defense and make sure we know what to do in different situations.
NINTH INNING: What’s the best part about being 12 years old?
IC: Playing my last year of Little League softball and helping the younger girls get better.
TENTH INNING: Who is your favorite teacher that you’ve ever had and why?
IC: My 5th grade teacher, Ms. Mitchell, because she was a fun teacher that cared about us all.
ELEVENTH INNING: What is the best thing about your school?
IC: Playing sports with my friends.
TWELFTH INNING: If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?
IC: Not taking “World Regions!”
THIRTEENTH INNING: What is your favorite home-cooked meal? And who cooks it? Your mom or dad?
IC: Chicken and Polenta, an Italian recipe passed down from my grandma to my dad. My dad is the chef at my house.
FOURTEENTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
IC: Rainbow Goldfish.
FIFTEENTH INNING: What is the one television show you that you always like to watch over and over again?
IC: “High School Musical”
SIXTEENTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
IC: A veterinarian
SEVENTEENTH INNING: Are you a dog person, a cat person, or a reptile person? And why?
IC: I’m a dog person. My dog Diana is a good dog and my first dog, Lilo, was the best.
EIGHTEENTH INNING: Other than softball, what is something that you’re really good at?
IC: Basketball
NINETEENTH INNING: What is a fun-fact about you that your teammates might not know?
IC: Although I play hard, I’m a girly girl who likes to wear make-up and get dressed up.
TWENTIETH INNING: What one word best describes you?
IC: Competitive.
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