Softball hero gone, but not forgotten

July 13, 2022 by David Svien

Bella Whalen (right) rocks the crocs with teammate and friend Sofia Peters during her Coupeville days. (Photos courtesy Tiffani Blazek)

They never lost with her in the lineup.

The pandemic erased her freshman season, but Bella Whalen swung a big bat a year later for a Coupeville High School softball squad which went 12-0 in spring 2021.

That Wolf team outscored foes 154-41, trailing just once all season.

Unfortunately, as often happens, families move and Whalen and Co. were off to Maryland, where she now attends Leonardtown High School.

Whalen now lives (and attends prom) on the east coast.

As Whalen heads into her senior year — while still pining a bit for the idea of returning to Coupeville — the irrepressible one is busy crafting a new life.

She still swings a big bat on the softball diamond, playing first base and shortstop for Wagners 18U Gold, a travel ball team.

Whalen’s season highlight was leading her squad to the championship game in a tournament held in Pennsylvania.

While she plays softball and attends class on the other side of the country now, the former Wolf ace looks back fondly at her time wearing the red and black.

“My highlights were probably coming back during Covid and getting back into the swing of things,” Whalen said. “As an athlete, it was probably my sophomore year and being a part of the undefeated season.

“Although not being able to compete at state (with the pandemic erasing any playoffs), it still was an amazing accomplishment.”

“Don’t hurt the pitcher?? Too late!”

Whalen gave back to younger athletes during her time in Coupeville, working with Central Whidbey Little League players and helping them embrace the sport she loves.

“Coaching has always been my dream, and that was ever since I was little,” she said. “The idea of teaching what I knew to kids/young adults that will further the softball program in Coupeville and Whidbey as a whole.

“Growing up I had the opportunity to have a high school student as an assistant coach for little league,” Whalen added.

“That really helped me figure out fundamental problems, or changes in mindset that’ll help me further in games, especially tougher games, and I just wanted to pass that onto girls like Taylor Brotemarkle and Mia Farris.”

One thing she didn’t pass on — but which is still remembered by many — is her secret fear.

And that fear? That Mother Nature was coming for her every spring, one gentle creature at a time.

“Something that the public doesn’t know and probably shouldn’t know … but it’s that I’m deathly terrified of butterflies,” Whalen said.

“Like so terrified. I’m sure there is a video or a photo of me during practice or during a warmup sprinting away from a butterfly as a ball was coming at me,” she added with a laugh.

“My teammate and longtime friend since minors in little league, Sofia Peters, always made sure to torment me during bus rides or practices when a butterfly came my way by stopping me or getting in my way so that the butterfly could get as close as they could before I broke down and started freaking out.”

But Whalen is strong and promises to persevere.

Whalen forms part of a murder’s row of softball stars with Izzy (left) and Savina Wells.

She still has a year of high school life left but is already looking to the future.

“As a senior I would love to finish high school strong, with good grades and of course attending all the high school events I can before graduating,” she said.

Post-high school Whalen would like to attend the University of Alabama and “major in Secondary Special Education and possibly minor in Sports Media.”

Her time spent on Whidbey helped set her up for future success, and Whalen is quick to praise mentors such as CHS Principal Geoff Kappes and his wife Christie, an influential teacher.

“Although Mr. Kappes gave me a hard time in the hallways and announcing to the whole lunchroom that it was my birthday, he always brought a smile to my face every day with the godawful dad jokes and always made me feel at home,” Whalen said.

“And for Mrs. Kappes, oh Mrs. Kappes, I love her with my whole heart, and nothing will change that.

“She was the first teacher I had on my first day of freshman year, and I’m glad I could finish out my time there with her as my chemistry teacher.

“It felt like I was closing a chapter when I said goodbye to them after I moved and I’m glad they were in my life.

“They were like my school parents, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

While life moves on in both Coupeville and Maryland, Whalen hopes her former town doesn’t forget her.

“I hope Coupeville remembers me as an upbeat and loud softball player, someone who would put their teammates first before anything else,” she said.

“I hope that my legacy goes beyond the high school and ends up circling within the softball community and hope to positively influence future players.”