Media: 2026 Extra Elite 100 Honoree Kaylee Goodpaster Featured in WMBB-TV (ABC) Segment in Panama City, Florida

Sometimes the story behind the story is as interesting as the subject being featured.

On Wednesday, Courtney Mims—the Sports Director at WMBB-TV News 13, an ABC affiliate, in Panama City, Florida—shot, edited, wrote the copy and produced a two minute video piece profiling rising softball standout Kaylee Goodpaster, a 2026 Extra Elite 100 selection.

Kaylee is a 7^th grader already starting on varsity for North Bay Haven High in Panama City and even played nine games on the Buccaneers high school varsity team as a 6^th grader.

On January 21, 2021, Extra Inning Softball posted Kaylee’s bio as she was announced at #26 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100 and the middle schooler’s national recognition was part of the video feature Courtney produced.

Click HERE to see the WMBB-TV video featuring Kaylee.

North Bay Haven's @goodpaster_88 is playing her second season with the @NBHBucsSoftball varsity squad.

Oh, and she's only in seventh-grade. Check out why she's a big deal here: https://t.co/dzFXN7GBgO

— Courtney Mims, WMBB (@MimsCourtney) February 18, 2021

Here is the text from the Extra Elite 100 write-up:

T-26—Kaylee Goodpaster, OF, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2025
Kaylee is an imposing (5-foot-10) and athletic utility player whose primary position is outfielder but she can play a shutdown third base as well. The Florida 7^th grader is strong and explosive—she has recorded a 7’10” broad jump and was clocked with a 71 mph exit velocity at the USA All American Games. In the outfield, Kaylee showcases a strong arm with good mechanics and recorded multiple outfield assists last Summer and Fall. Offensively, she has good power which leads to a lot of extras base hits and with her size and power it is expected these numbers will grow as she continues to develop. Kaylee has been selected to the USSSA Select 30 team and has already been selected to play for her high school varsity team, making her the youngest at her school in Lynn Haven, Florida.

North Bay Haven head softball coach Butch Bernard wrote to Extra Inning Softball in behalf of Kaylee as we were compiling the 2026 class info in January and raved about the talent and maturity of his youngest player:

“Kaylee takes over and competes at a level that I haven’t seen from many players in my career,” he said. “She started for my varsity high school team as a 6^th grader and, had our Florida rules allowed her to participate as a 5^th grader, she would have started as a 5^th grader.”

“Our high school team is pretty good,” the coach adds, “and she truly is a human highlight reel.  Just yesterday I was at our field doing some work and she was taking batting practice.  I heard some yelling, I looked up and she had just hit a pitch over our scoreboard, which is located in left center field about five foot off of the 200-foot outfield fence.  The scoreboard is huge and the top of the board is 20 feet off of the ground!”

In her time researching Kaylee, Courtney quickly saw the elements that earned the softball player national recognition.

“I think what impressed me most about Kaylee is how mature she is, not only in softball games, but also just at practice,” Courtney explains. “The team all respects her and she truly is a leader. Being a 7^th grader and having that kind of command on a varsity team is amazing. I think that is another reason why Kaylee will go far in the game and in life.”

And Courtney does know her softball.

She graduated from the University of Florida in 2018 with a Telecommunications—News degree and got a lot of experience covering many Gators teams, including Tim Walton’s highly successful SEC softball program.

“I do love the Gators,” Courtney admits, “and covered all sports while I was attending the school, but I was the main softball writer and enjoyed covering them the most. Coach Walton and the rest of the girls were awesome to me. I actually had a class with Amanda Lorenz and we were study partners… she was great! I also went with them to the College World Series and had an absolute blast.!”

Those experiences following the softball program aided in her story published this week… below is the text of her article:

Be sure to watch this video segment produced by Courtney for WMBB-TV (ABC) by clicking HERE.

*****

North Bay Haven seventh-grader earning national recognition on softball field

by Courtney Mims

Posted: Feb 17, 2021 / 11:05 PM CST

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – One North Bay Haven softball player is getting some national attention.

Kaylee Goodpaster was ranked the No. 26 player in the nation out of the Class of 2026 by Extra Inning Softball.

“I didn’t think I was going to, I thought I was going to be in the 50’s or somewhere, but being ranked really high, I got a little nervous at first, but then I was so excited,” Goodpaster said.

This is also her second season playing varsity for the Buccaneers and she’s only in seventh grade.

“Not only is she playing varsity but she’s holding down shortstop also, so she’s kinda like the captain of the field, so that brings a lot of responsibility as well, but she’s up for it. She’s legit,” North Bay Haven head softball coach Butch Bernard said.

She may be young, but she’s definitely impressive on the field. Last season, in just nine games played with the Buccaneers, she had a .419 batting average with three doubles and two triples.

“She’s got a good softball IQ, she’s got a good bat, as far as the athletic side of it goes, she brings a lot of defense, a lot of power, she’s a five-tool player without a doubt,” Bernard said.

Goodpaster said the attention she’s getting is a little nerve-wracking since it puts a bit of a target on her back from other teams in the area, but she sees the positive in it too.

“Cause then they are going to bring their best pitching and their best everything right to me and the competition is gonna be really good. It’s gonna put me and my team in a good spot this season,” Goodpaster said.

She’s also hoping to change some mindsets this season by showing that it doesn’t matter what age you are, you can make an impact at the high school level.

“I think that being young, you can still play on varsity, you can still do great things. If you are really young, you can still play varsity, you can play up, if you are good enough, you can do whatever you want to,” Goodpaster said.

The Buccaneers won their season opener against Bozeman 12-11 on Wednesday night. North Bay Haven plays Mosley on Friday at 6 p.m.