Any fan watching a Texas West Little League game would take notice of the catcher.
Yes, the person behind the plate is a girl named Ella Bruning, but the reason she turns heads is because she's one of the best catchers in the country. Or at least she's about to prove that.
We've seen girls dominate on the diamond with the boys before. Mo'ne Davis went viral for her shutting down batters at the 2014 Little League World Series. Softball pitcher Kendall Calloway struck out an entire football team for $20.
Bruning, who hails from Wylie, Texas, is the next in line of great female ball players, and she's set to take over Williamsport.
Ella Bruning Baseball
She can play ? #GirlsWithGame pic.twitter.com/HzuwdUnCcI
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 10, 2021
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Bruning is already one with the catcher position. She has phenomenal instincts, a rocket for an arm and blocks better than some offensive lineman. Bruning's most valuable skill is her motor. She always plays hard.
The Little League baseball catcher put all these skills to use in a play against Colorado in the semifinals of the Southwest Region Tournament.
A batter struck out swinging and Ella blocked the pitch in the dirt. The ball ended up going toward the third-base line. She whipped off her mask, pounced on the ball and fired a bullet to first base for the out.
The play, and her overall performance, caught the attention of some big leaguers on social media.
Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras reacted with some fire emojis.
"Keep it up Ella!!! Great job!!!?"??"??"?," said New York Yankees legend and five-time MLB All-Star Jorge Posada.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux responded with some clapping emojis.
Bruning's Texas West beat Colorado but lost to Louisiana in the championship game. However, the team is still heading to Williamsport. You might see her behind the dish. You might see her on the mound, because she pitches, too:
Ella Bruning on the bump #GirlsWithGame #LLWS pic.twitter.com/rv9OLbtx1e
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 11, 2021
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 Little League World Series will feature the top two finishers of the United States regions instead of the normal eight domestic and eight international teams.
Bruning is sure to be the talk of the town and a trending topic when she arrives in Pennsylvania.
