Softball is No. 1 in the heart of Providence’s Bella Olszta. But it wasn’t always that way for the senior second baseman.
When she was in seventh grade, she told her summer coach — and mom, Stephanie — that she couldn’t wait for the season to end.
Daresay, she had more fun playing … with dolls?
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“I don’t know,” Olszta said, laughing. “Softball just wasn’t my thing at the time. I didn’t like practicing. And yeah, I’d rather go play dolls and play with my friends.”
Mom convinced her to continue playing. Today, her passion for the game is stronger than ever.
She had a big day Monday, going 3-for-4 with a sacrifice and two stolen bases as the Celtics posted a 10-2 nonconference win over host Andrew in Tinley Park.
Olivia Vittori added two hits for Providence (7-0), while Sophia Fratantion and Angelina Cole both homered. Sophomore right-hander Macie Robbins struck out 10.
Gianna Spano tallied two hits and an RBI for Andrew (4-3). Ana Cisek contributed a base hit and a sacrifice fly.
Going back to Olszta’s pep talk in seventh grade from her mom, it came in the form of a letter.
“Mom wrote it for me at the end of the season,” Olszta said. “She wrote personalized letters to me and all of my teammates. But mine was special. She told me she really wanted me to play and asked me to give it another year.
“That letter is the one thing I can look back on and say I wouldn’t be here without it. I’m glad I stuck with it because now it’s my favorite thing and I’ve made some of my best friends here.”
To say Olszta is living out a family tradition is no understatement.
Her dad and grandfather, both named Ed, are members of the Providence Hall of Fame and played baseball in the minor leagues. Her mom was a softball standout at Naperville Central and in college at Butler.
It’s quite a legacy.
“Those are definitely big shoes to fill,” Olszta said. “But I’m grateful I can look up to them and have them as examples. And since they know the game so well, they can help me with what I’m doing.”
Olszta is batting .345 with two doubles, 10 runs and 13 steals. Last season, she earned all-area, all-conference and all-state honors in helping lead the Celtics to their first appearance in the Class 3A state championship game.
The leading goes beyond hits and putouts.
“Bella is the most selfless person that I know,” Cole said. “She’s confident, and she always makes sure to be there for us. When we get down or anything, she’s seriously the best person to go to.
“And she’s driven. She’s at the gym every single day after school. She’s constantly working out, constantly stretching to be better for us and better for herself.
Providence coach Jim Holba
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bats her out of the leadoff spot. She can drop down a bunt, but it’s not a good idea for corner defenders to play up.“It’s funny,” Holba said. “Two years ago, one of her travel coaches said, ‘You should slap. You’re never going to be strong enough.’ Her dad said, ‘Yeah, that’s not going to happen. You’re going to get strong.’ She told me about it, and I said the same thing. And she hits the ball hard.
“We brought Bella up as a freshman, and every year she has gotten progressively better. She fell into our leadoff role last season. She helps things get going. When she gets on, she runs the bases. She’s gotten so fast through the years. She’s fun to have around.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.