Athlete of the Week: Valentina Bovell-Seda, West Orange Girls Club

Second-grader Valentina Bovell-Seda began playing softball in March of this year with the 6U Batting Butterflies team at the West Orange Girls Club. In just a few months, she moved up to the 8U team and now plays with the Banana Ballers. 

Bovell-Seda showcased her softball talent and quick thinking when she recorded a triple-play Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the West Orange Girls Club home game against another Babe Ruth Softball league. She fielded a catch at shortstop, tagged the bag at second base which got the runner that was on second out and followed it up by tagging out the incoming runner on second base. This season she hit her first in-the-park home run. 

Outside of softball, Bovell-Seda is a part of Wesley’s Mile running club and spends her days learning in English and Spanish at Tildenville Elementary School’s Dual Language program. The 7 year old is on her way to becoming trilingual by learning French.

What do you enjoy the most about softball?  

I like playing shortstop and making plays for my team.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from softball?  

I’ve learned from my coaches that there is always something new to learn.

What is your favorite softball memory? 

My triple play and first in-the-park home run.

Who is your favorite athlete and why? 

My dad because he taught me how to play.

What is your go-to pre-game meal?

Egg wraps and juice.

What is your go-to pre-game hype song?

“Light Em Up” by the band Fall Out Boy. It’s also my walk-up song.

What is your favorite non-sports hobby?

I love to draw with my sister.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?  

I would take an umbrella, a bucket and food.

What is your favorite movie?               

“Hocus Pocus 2.”

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?  

My mom because she takes care of me.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?  

I would go back to the 1940s in New York so I could meet my grandpa, my mom’s dad.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?  

I would say to not be nervous, that I can do it (play softball).

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?   

Am I still in softball?

Who is your favorite superhero? Why? 

My dad because he taught me softball.

Who is your favorite supervillain? Why?  

The “Hocus Pocus” witches because they’re really cool.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 

Flying because I want to see the whole country and see who is in danger.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?  

I would go to Puerto Rico, Arizona and Paris. I would go to Puerto Rico because I’m Puerto Rican and I speak a lot of Spanish. I would go to Arizona because I want to see my best babysitter, Olga. I would go to Paris because I speak a little bit of French.

What is your most controversial food take?  

I like putting my vitamin gummies in my yogurt.

Does pineapple belong on pizza? 

Yes, it’s yummy.