Oklahoma-committed P/1B/OF Ella Parker is a dominant power pitcher, a power hitter, a multi-sport star and she’s extremely competitive on the softball diamond.
Her skills didn’t go unnoticed.
Parker, a standout at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, was the Mission League MVP, LA Times All-Star Team and she was a Cal-Hi All-State member as a sophomore. She’s also currently #3 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100.
Arizona-committed OF/MIF Regan Shockey, #20 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100 loves what Parker, the nice of LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, brings to Mike Stith’s OC Batbusters team.
“Ella is not only a one-of-a-kind athlete but also a great person and teammate,” Shockey said. “Her hitting ability is something that you do not see often. Not only is her swing so natural and powerful, but it’s the fact that she can run very well that just adds to her game. She tracks the ball great in the outfield while always being consistent and making those game-saving catches as well. What makes her so unique is how she is not phased with the challenges that the game brings her. She has a ton of confidence and excels when pressure is applied. Ella is a class act and is always super humble. “
OF/UT Maya Bland, #8 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, is a fellow Batbuster and future Oklahoma teammate of Parker.
“Ella is a powerful and very impactful player on the field,” Bland said. “Offensively she is a powerhouse and shows no sign of weakness at bat. She attacks the plate with everything she’s got and gives it her all every time. When she’s up to bat, all of the girls, including myself, are so excited to see what she’s going to do. She brings joy and a wow factor in offense. Defensively, she is versatile and again balls out. Ella gives 110 percent every time all the time whether she’s on the mound or in the grass. She makes phenomenal plays in the outfield and communicates well with her teammates. Ella’s also a great team player and is there to uplift a teammate that is struggling or beating themselves up. Several times Ella has comforted me on and off the field, showing that her character exceeds off the field as well. Ella is an outstanding softball player and an amazing teammate.”
Here’s more on the future Sooner…
EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: ELLA PARKER
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
High School: Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, CA
Club Team: OC Batbusters-Stith 18U
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: P/OF
Honors: Freshman Athlete of the Year (2020), Mission League MVP (2021), All-CIF (2021), LA Times All-Team (2021), OC Register All-Team (2021), Cal-High All-State Team (2021) and Alliance Fastpitch All-Tournament team (2021).
Tell us about the Batbusters and how you became involved with them…
I started playing with the Batbusters organization my first year of 12U. I was on Toni Mascarenas’ team for two years before I moved up to Mark Campbell’s 14U team. Sadly, he passed away before our season was over. I then moved up to Batbusters-Stith/Maroon 18U my freshman year and as a sophomore I played on Mike Stith’s 18U team.
What were some of the training methods and workouts you did to stay busy during the stay-at-home orders because of the COVID situation?
During the stay-at-home order, I kept in shape by working out with a trainer over Zoom or Facetime a few times a week. I would also do the same with my pitching coach. My Dad had a pitching mound installed in our backyard that I would use daily as well. When things eased up a little, I would meet up with a few friends/teammates to throw live and bat.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
I used to run track and my season was cut short due to a foot injury. I also suffered a knee injury the summer before my freshman year of high school that kept me from playing for months. Having been forced to not participate in two sports that I loved was difficult. The uncertainty of the amount of time I would have to sit out was also frustrating. I realized that in life there is always going to be uncertainty. I can’t control all the situations I am faced with, but I can control how I respond to situations. I learned that a positive outlook and patience can go a long way. This is a helpful perspective to have in the game of softball especially during times where I may be struggling.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
Sadly, the most memorable softball experience I can think of was the day my coach, Mark Campbell, passed away. It was such an honor to play for him and to lose him as suddenly as we did, my teammates and I came together and really wanted to finish the season strong to honor him. We hadn’t realized that he was so sick. He never showed us that he was in any pain because he always showed up to practices and games ready to push us to be the best players we could be. He ended up having to be rushed to the hospital during our game and eventually passed away the next day. He always wanted the best out of us and we wanted to be the best for him.
*** Scroll down to read more about Ella and why she started playing water polo and the off-field artistic talent she has…
