The CT Softball Blog

Bella Tosto is a rising junior at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham. She started catching her freshman year, when Coginchaug was in need of a catcher. She shared some insight into what the transition was like from a third baseman into a catcher, one of the most difficult positions on the field. She struggled in the beginning, but it became something that she is working on and now loves. She also shared what it’s like to be a member of the Coginchaug Softball family and play beside her “sisters.” 

FIRST INNING: How did you find your way to the softball field?

BELLA TOSTO: When I was little, we all played Little League together and it was a group effort of wanting to try it out. My dad used to play. My mom used to play. I decided I’d give it a go. I haven’t really stopped since. 

SECOND INNING: What is your favorite memory from this past high school season? 

BT: Winning the HK game in the second round of states (Coginchaug the 21st seed upset Haddam-Killingworth, the 5th seed). 

THIRD INNING: Going into high school you played third base for most of your softball career, then you got turned into a catcher. What was the transition like?

BT: It was definitely difficult trying to stay persistent. The coach kind of just threw me in there, told me to give it a go, and obviously I did, and I loved it. It was definitely difficult freshman year. I was struggling behind the plate, but we had a really good pitcher and she kind of made me look good, and I’m pretty grateful for that.

FOURTH INNING: Now for your Wildcats travel team you play shortstop. What do you like best: Short, third, or catcher, and why? 

BT: I’ve grown to love being a catcher. I think I love being a leader in the field even as a younger player. I love being able to hear opinions from other people. I get to be closer with pitchers and I get a different view. 

FIFTH INNING: What is your favorite thing about your Coginchaug team? 

BT: I love that we’re all family. Coach John [Kelly] calls us sisters and I couldn’t relate even more. We’ve been playing together since Little League, and it’s basically like playing with family. The bonds are pretty unmatchable. 

SIXTH INNING: Let’s move away from softball. What is your favorite thing about Coginchaugn High School?

BT: I love how almost all the grades and people at Coginchaug participate in events in and out of school. I think we’re very put together when we involve ourselves in outside events. 

SEVENTH INNING: If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? 

BT: I would love to start a little later. I feel like some people in some schools in the district start like twenty minutes later and those twenty minutes can make a big difference. 

EIGHTH INNING: What is your favorite midnight snack? 

BT: I’m a big cheese and crackers kind of girl. It’s nice and simple.

NINTH INNING: What do you like to do in your free time? 

BT: I like to write. I am a big writer. 

TENTH INNING:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

BT: I want to go to Greece and Italy. 

ELEVENTH INNING: If you could spend the day with a celebrity, who would you choose and why? 

BT: I’m going to have to go with Ryan Reynolds. I’ve watched all of his movies. My dad and I have watched all his movies and he’s genuinely hilarious. I don’t think there’d be an awkward moment. 

TWELVETH INNING: Let’s move back to softball. If you had a walk-up song, what would it be and why? 

BT: My walk-up song this year was “Poison,” even though we didn’t use it. It’s a good hype song. I love a good hype song, but I also love the 80s, kind of like “dad music.” It definitely gets me hyped before games. I love it. It connects me back to my dad. 

THIRTEENTH INNING: Why do you wear number 14? 

BT: It was also my dad’s number, my mom’s number, and it’s my older sister’s number, who used to play softball. It’s a big number to me when it comes to family. 

FOURTEENTH INNING: What are your individual and team goals for next season? 

BT: Individual goals, I personally want to get better at catching. It will be my third year catching. Obviously, I’ve had a big change in between those times, but it’s little things like pop time, blocking, being more open with my pitchers, and communicating more. For team goals, I also think we could all work on communicating. I think this year was just a sneak peek at what the next two years have in store. 

FIFTHTEEN INNING: What is one word that describes you? 

BT: Persistent. 

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