They say that catcher is one of the most difficult positions to learn, and nearly impossible to master. It's why Jeff Mathis and José Molina carved out such long big league careers.
Well, there's a new player who is turning the tools of ignorance into an art and drawing rave reviews for it: Wylie, Tex., Little Leaguer Ella Bruning.
"She hustles, she is all over the place, she is well-schooled and she frames the ball as well as anyone we've seen in this tournament," the announcer said right before Bruning then showed off her arm by nailing the runner at first base.
Her teammates agree with the assessment.
“She blocks everything and not all catchers can do that," Dylan Regala told Big Country Sports.
“Ella is just awesome! She’s a ‘stud-ette,’ as we call her," Reggie Regala added. "She’s just one of the guys and I’m telling you, I mean when we play these other teams, they’re shocked how good she is. She is just an awesome player and we’re just glad to have her on our team.”
Even big leaguers are getting in on the action. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras offered up some fire emojis on Instagram.
After defeating Colorado, 3-0, on Monday night, Bruning and her Texas West teammates lost to Louisiana, 6-2, in the finals of the Southwest region Tuesday night, but they will still be heading to Williamsport, where Bruning can show off her skills at the Little League World Series.