RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
It’s been a pretty strong year for sensational outfielder Bella Foran, one of the top high school juniors in the country, and she’s capped it off by just announcing today that she has committed to the Florida Atlantic Owls and new head coach Jordan Clark.
In the spring, Bella was the starting shortstop for Hoover (Ala.) High and earned 1st Team All-Metro honors after hitting .471.
In September, she was ranked as a Top 15 player in the 2024 Extra Elite 100 as her bio read in part:
“Bella has developed into a true triple threat putting herself squarely on the radar of a number of Power 5 schools. Offensively, she is hard to defend—though she throws right-handed, the junior bats left-handed and can bunt, slap, and hit gap-to-gap with power… In the classroom, Bella takes all advanced classes maintaining a GPA well above 4.0.”
And that same month, she was selected to the Extra Inning Softball 16U All-Summer Team after the club outfielder batted .425 with 54 hits and scored 40 runs while compiling a .507 on-base percentage.
Her club coach, Justin Kaplan with the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2024 team, feels that his star talent found a great fit for her skills to showcase at the next level.
“FAU is getting an absolute gem in Bella,” he told Extra Inning Softball. “I truly believe Bella is one of the best all-around players in the 2024 class. She really caught fire down the stretch this summer and continued to dominate all fall.”
“Even with the pressure of the recruiting process going on, and with a great deal of attention on us this fall, Bella consistently came up huge. Each week more coaches came to watch her. One weekend she hit three home runs, and she really showed off the power she has been developing.”
The underclassman has a lot of options including many Power 5 schools that wanted her because, as one scout said: “She’s the complete package.”
Another DI coach raved about Bella’s energy and competitiveness when she takes the field.
“Her calmness in the box but triple threat approach makes her hard to defend,” the coach explained. “She has something unique to this class in her speed and athleticism that will be a true game changer from Day 1 in a lineup.”
Her Bolts coaches and teammates feel she will light it up in Boca Raton when she takes the field for her future Conference USA program.
“I was very excited when she told me she was committing to FAU,” Coach Kaplan said. “I could tell from the first visit there that she felt at home. The coaching staff there truly wanted her there and believe in her, and I believe she will have the opportunity to really show the world what she is capable of there. Bella is good enough to make an impact on any campus in the country and I’m excited she gets to do it in Paradise!”
Here’s more on the awesome underclass talent from Alabama…
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Name: BELLA FORAN
Hometown/ST: Hoover, Ala.
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s): OF/MIF
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2024 – Kaplan
High School (City/ST): Hoover (Ala.)
GPA: 4.3
College: FAU
Top Honors/Accomplishments: National Honor Society, Birmingham Terrific 20, All Over the Mountain, All Metro, Extra Inning Softball All Summer 14U (2021) and 16U (2022), Colorado Sparkler 14U champions, PGF Premier 16U 3rd place, TCS International World Team, TCS Team Japan bronze 2021
Preferred College Major: Exercise Science with a minor in Sports Management
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Why did you decide to continue your athletic and academic future at FAU?
The coaches truly wanted me, and I feel like I can succeed on and off the field. They will help me grow as a player and a person. The school is a good size, not too big and not too small, a true college campus, in a safe city and my grandparents are two hours away!
When and how did you know it was the right place for you?
After my second-to-last tournament in freezing cold weather, I knew in my Puerto Rican heart that I belonged in the sun and paradise (laughs)
What are you most looking forward to in being part of the FAU program?
Helping FAU win a conference championship and get to Oklahoma City
What factors played the most important parts of your decision?
Coaching staff, location, and scholarship.
Did you feel pressure playing this fall because of recruiting?
Yes, walking up to bat sometimes with 15 coaches behind the plate watching me was a bit nerve racking.
What did you like about the recruiting process?
Getting the opportunity to visit different campuses.
And what did you dislike about the recruiting process?
It’s stressful. Also, the unknown.
What advice would you give to your 2025 and 2026 teammates about the process?
Come to Paradise LOL!! But seriously – Go where you are loved, wanted, and choose the best fit for YOU.
What are you most proud of yourself for this fall?
Showcasing my full swing power including three bombs in one weekend, getting ready for #bombsoverpalms!
When did you visit the campus and what impacted you most from your visit there?
I visited in October. The coaches spent their whole day with me and made me feel part of the program. I was even able to participate with the team volunteering at the Miracle League Field.
What did the college coaches recruiting you say they liked most about your play on the field?
My swagger! They liked the way I carried myself on the field.
What’s been your most memorable softball experience so far in your career?
Wow! So many to choose from! One that stands out is hitting a walk-off double to win the game against Helena (Miss.) breaking their 84 game winning streak. I was also the winning pitcher! Another good one being the only freshman selected to the World Team in the TCS International Challenge. I represented Team Japan playing against Team USA.
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year? Or in general?
Yes, to help my high school team win a state championship, help my travel ball team win PGF Nationals and maintain straight A’s.
Do you have any softball superstitions?
Yes, I have to eat Chick-n-Minis Saturday mornings and a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit on Sunday mornings.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Hakuna Matata!
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
On the field: Warrior.
Off the field: Reserved.
What do you want to do once your playing career is over?
I would like to be a physical therapist or a physician assistant.
We understand you’re an outstanding student-athlete… what has been a key to your academic success, do you believe?
One of the keys to my success is time management… being able to balance everything is essential. And my mom helps keep me in line!
What do you feel makes softball such a wonderful sport? And how can it be improved?
The people you meet all over the country and the teammates I play softball with are what make it feel so special. I feel like it has gained so much momentum…I wish there was more for after college to keep playing like there is for men.
What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
Puerto Rico.
What’s been your favorite place to have played fastpitch?
Colorado.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
Fear of failure.
Who would you say is a role model or someone you look up to in life?
My dad, he played college baseball and minor league baseball
If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
Jimmy Fallon.
EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item (like preferred bat, glove, etc.)?
I don’t use it anymore but for all of 8U and 10U I used my dad’s old minor league baseball glove.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
My gray Hoover sweatshirt.
Favorite school subject:
Science.
Best way to unwind is…
Binge watching Netflix.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
7 Summers by Morgan Wallen.
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Noah Schnapp.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Mac and cheese.
What drives you in life?
Hard work and wanting to be the best version of me everyday
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
That failure is OK.
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: Tim Tebow.
Non-athletically: My grandma.
When you leave the sport, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered as someone who gave it my all and always played the game with passion and a smile on my face. Hopefully, when I am done playing the game, I will continue to give lessons to young girls and possibly coach my little sister’s team.