Impact Gold coach Gary Smith didn’t pick Ella Kate Smith when she initially tried out for his 10U team.
He didn’t make that same mistake when he held 12U tryouts.
Smith ended up becoming a USSSA and USA Softball All-American and she’s currently #2 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100.
Impact Gold 14U National-Smith OF Madison “Maddie” Smith said EK’s personality is infectious.
“EK is probably the one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” Maddie Smith said. “She always has a positive attitude and works hard to improve no matter the setback or difficulties. She leads by an example for me and the rest of the team. And she develops real relationships with her teammates, including myself. She’s always there for me when I’m having a bad game or practice and somehow makes me laugh or smile.
“Her skills on the field are some of the best I’ve ever seen and that’s not biased. As one of the catchers, I can trust her to throw any pitch and know she will hit that spot. Not only is she a pitcher, but she’s a hitter. I mean, that girl has hit so many home runs I can’t even count them! I think what makes her unique is her willingness to fight and work. EK works harder then anyone I’ve ever met. She goes out to pitch and hit almost every day no matter if it’s raining or cold.”
Smith has had a big impact on Impact Gold National-Smith 2B/3B/SS/IF Landri Pick, #10 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100.
“EK is a great teammate,” Pick said. “She always has a smile on her face and is constantly making sure we do too. She is an outstanding pitcher, who always comes in clutch in tough situations. Outside of her pitching, she is also a great hitter who makes solid contact at the plate. EK had multiple game-winning home runs in the fall season. Just a great all-around player and an even better teammate and person.”
Impact Gold National-Smith C/IF Addisen Sheppard, #4 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, said Smith can change the outcome of a game with her skills and her attitude.
“I can always count on EK to give her best effort in every situation,” Sheppard said. “Her positive attitude and constant smile is such an encouragement on the field, and I’m so blessed to get to play with someone like her. She is one of the best pitchers I know, and gives 110 percent even after pitching four games in a row. Not to mention the the power she brings at the plate. Nothing can stop EK and I know that her optimism effects the team just as much as her game.”
EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: Ella Kate Smith
Hometown: Katy, TX
High School: Katy High
Club Team: Impact Gold 14U National-Smith
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: P/1B
Nickname: EK
Twitter: @Eksoftball2026
Honors:
USSSA Select 30 All-American; USA Softball 12U All-American; USA Softball 12U All-American champion; USA Softball High Performance Program; Softball Factory Preseason All-American; Select 30 National Training Camp invitee; and #2 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100.
Travel Ball Highlights/Fall Stats:
TFL Fall 14U champions; had 6 wins and 25 strikeouts and batted .667 with 2 home runs, 2 triples and 8 RBIs in the fall.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
I play for Impact Gold National-Smith. I actually tried out for Coach Gary (Smith’s) team at the start of 10U and did not make it. I shagged balls at the tryout. In 12U, I got involved with Impact Gold on another team. I went to a camp and it just so happened Coach Gary was holding a tryout next to it. He saw me out there when I was waiting for the camp to start. He asked if I would hit and pitch for him. He ended up offering me a spot on his team. I had a lot to learn in the beginning but Coach Gary had believed in me the whole time. With him, our team, and the great organization I grew as a player, not to mention, I play with some of the greatest teammates and players around. We all grow because we expect the best from each other and fight together till the end.
What were some of the training methods and workouts you did to stay busy during the stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus situation?
During Covid lockdown, it was tough at first trying to figure out what we could do. With the local park nearby, a group of girls on my team from the area would meet at the field for a few hours each day, just getting reps in. We would have fun and just work to be the best we could be even with everything going on.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
When I was younger, I was not always the first pick for positions and was very unsure about my role on a team. As I have grown, my confidence has grown a lot. I have learned to work hard and prove that on the field. I now know I deserve to be out there and take advantage of opportunities. Learning from when I was younger has helped me a lot, not to mention it taught me to have fun with it. You can still work hard while having a good time. You should not dread going to softball. It has definitely made me work harder when I am out there.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
One of the most memorable softball stories was when we were at PGF and we were in double overtime. I had just struck out the last batter and it was our turn to hit. We got a runner to third and we stole home to win the game. It was the craziest thing ever. No one had a clue what had just happened. I had no clue that she had stolen and just saw her hit home. You would have thought we just won the whole tournament. We went crazy. It was a moment I will never forget. To this day, some people just don’t even know what happened.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
Something that always shocks people when they talk to me is that I have heterochromia, which means I have two different colored eyes. One is brown and the other is green.
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
Something that I have learned this year is how to be confident out on the mound and up to bat just knowing that one game, one at bat or one pitch does not define what I can do with my team out on that field. I have learned how to learn from what has happened and come back, and knowing I have what it takes to help our team win.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
One thing that I have just recently found out is that I am good at building things. This year, I had decided to take a manufacturing class at school. I had never built anything completely from scratch. This year, I have learned how to use power tools and machines like lathes. I have made a chair, a corn hole game and even a wooden pen.
Who is the most underrated player on your team?
I feel like the most underrated player on our team is Hailey Gore. At TFL, we had so many players injuries including our pitching staff. Hailey stepped up. She came into the game and pitched, she played infield and did amazing things out in the outfield. She stepped in wherever Coach Gary asked and rocked it. Not to mention, Hailey always brings energy to the dugout and gets the job done at the plate.
If you could have dinner with four people dead or alive, who would it be?
I would have dinner with the Golden Girls because I feel like they would have such great stories and it would be such a great time.
What are you looking for in your future college?
In a future college, I am looking for somewhere that feels good to me. I want somewhere that feels like home. It has a good environment, is somewhere I can grow and learn academically, coaches I connect with and players who strive to be their best. I want a place that has a championship mindset because, honestly, it is what I am used to with Coach Gary and Impact Gold.
What do coaches say they like most about you and your game?
Coaches like the power I bring whether it is behind the plate or on the mound. I am coachable and work hard for my team. I also have fun and encourage my teammates to be their best.
What was the highlight of your summer season and/or fall season?
From the summer, PGF had lots of highlights such as the semifinal game that I had pitched. The energy in that game was unreal, we fought that whole game and never let off. My job was to get us to the championship and I accomplished it. Also, playing at TFL was a highlight. We had so many players hurt and it really tested the limits of our whole team, but we fought together and came out on top. Coach Gary asked if I wanted to pitch the championship game. He told me it was mine to win or lose if I wanted it. I wanted to win it. No better feeling.
EXTRA INSIGHTS
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Show up fully in situations, not to dwell on the past and what could happen in the future. Focus on what you can do now.
What’s your spirit animal? Golden Retriever.
Favorite athlete: Montana Fouts.
Favorite Movie: “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Favorite song/artist: “More Than My Hometown” by Morgan Wallen.
Favorite actor/actress: Leonardo DiCaprio.
Favorite TV show to binge: “Gilmore Girls.”
Favorite motto/philosophy on life: Be better, do better.
— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
