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Here’s our TLI for Friday, Feb. 24, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: LEELA LANGSTON
Uncommitted C Leela Langston, #60 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked about EC Bullets 05-Bilz, long toss, Alliance Nationals, Scenic City, Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy, baseball, future college, human behavior, Chipper Jones, Childish Gambino, “Schitt’s Creek” and juggling.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Leela Langston
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
High School: North Atlanta High
Club Team: EC Bullets 05-Bilz
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: C
Nickname: Never had one.
Twitter: @leelalangston21
Honors: Two-time 1st-Team All-State; two-time Region Player of the Year; #60 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100; #39 Catcher in the Class of 2024.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: 12 games, .481 AVG, .533 OBP and 8 runs.
High School Stats: .540 AVG, 55 runs, 63 percent caught stealing, 25-for-25 SBs and 5 HRs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I became involved with them (EC Bullets) when I was 13 (years old). It was my first year of travel softball after I played baseball. This upcoming season will be my third year with Coach Jess (Bilz).
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? My absolute favorite training method is long toss. I think it really helps making the short and harder throws easier, plus it builds arm strength!
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this past summer? This year, we played in the Alliance. It was such a cool experience to have a tournament that was laid out like the (Women’s) College World Series. Our team had a great run and we just came up one game short to make it to Sunday.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite fall tournament was definitely Scenic City! There was amazing competition there and our team was on fire at the plate!
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? I think the toughest opponent that we had to face was last year at (PGF) Show Me the Money when we played Beverly Bandits (Premier)-Conroy. It was back and forth all game and they would steal pretty much every time they got on base, so I really had to be on my toes behind the plate.
Can you talk about your experience with baseball? I played baseball from ages 7-13 (years old). I started playing at NYO (Northside Youth Organization) and would make the All-Star team every year. After NYO, I joined a travel baseball team and led my team hitting .556 while batting leadoff. I think playing baseball with the boys has helped me not only physically, but also shaping who I am as a competitor and team player today in softball.
What are you looking for in a future college? I’m looking for a place where I feel comfortable with both my coaches as well as my teammates. I want a home that will make me a better player and person!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m really interested in doing something that studies human behavior. I think it’s fascinating to learn about why people do what they do. I don’t know exactly what my dream job would be, but it would be something along those lines!
Who is your sports hero and why? I would have to say my sports hero is Chipper Jones because of his loyalty to the Braves. He was not only an amazing player, but he was also a great person and did incredible things for the Braves!
What’s the best hype song and why? I have a couple: “Me and Your Mama” (by) Childish Gambino, “Run This Town” (by) Rihanna, “DNA” (by) Kendrick Lamar and “Club Can’t Handle Me” (by) FloRida. I love these songs because they always get me pumped up to play!
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite show of all time is “Schitt’s Creek” because it’s hilarious, but I’m binging “Breaking Bad” at the moment!
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is that I can juggle. I don’t even remember ever practicing it, but I somehow learned how to do it one day!
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