Beverly Bandits Fastpitch :

Name: Daniella Neve

Nickname: D Money (D$$$)

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Grad Year: 2030

Travel Team: Beverly Bandits; Trains at Performance Velocity System (PVS) Baseball

Future High School: South Fayette High School

Positions: Middle Infield

Bat/Throw: Left/Right

Overhand Velocity: 56

Exit Velocity off Tee: 59

Intended Study Major: Medical/Doctor

Twitter: @RYBOB35

TikTok: @bucktiktok

Please Follow Daniella on TikTok to see her videos and Twitter.

Who are you?

I am an extremely self-motivated and self-disciplined young girl who takes pride in my training and trusting the process.

How did your softball journey begin?

My softball journey began at 18 months old when my dad would pitch wiffle balls to me before and after my older brothers games. I truly never went anywhere without a ball and glove in my hand. I always wanted to do everything my brother did.

At such a young age, you’ve already been identified as an elite Futures Prospect. You have a huge social media (Over 93.7K on TikTok) following and many say you have one of the most beautiful swings in the game. How does that make you feel and what do you attribute to your amazing success and achievements?

Being recognized as an Elite Futures Prospect makes me feel proud in my work ethic and attention to detail. At 18 months old my dad showed me the proper swing movements such as turning the barrel and moving the middle. We would watch videos of Ken Griffey Jr. all of the time. I also attribute my early years playing baseball to having success in softball.

How do you handle knowing other players are giving their best effort to win individual and team battles against you?

I take it is a compliment when others try to give their best to beat me. Personally, my mentality is that I am my biggest competitor and I only compete against myself each and ever day. When I am across the field from another girl trying to beat me, honestly it is all respect and they better pack a lunch because it is going to be a long day.

What is your greatest strengths as a softball player?

My greatest strengths as a softball player are: my work ethic, my attention to detail, and my leadership on and off the field.

“Danielle is a special talent. She has a strong arm, a powerful bat and her glove is as good as any I’ve seen at such a young age. But what sets Daniella apart, is that she truly loves to practice the smallest details of her craft constantly. She comes to my facility multiple times a week. When her formal work is done, she doesn’t sit around and wait for her brother like most kids do: on a device or spacing out in a chair… no…. I always see her out of the corner of my eye bouncing a ball to work on backhands or footwork. No matter what she has already done that day, she is constantly working on more small things. Her love for the game and her love for the pursuit of excellence stand out.”

Matt Pilewski, Founder Performance Velocity System

Can you tell us about your huge social media following and the attention it has brought you?

@bucktiktok was never meant to be as big as it is. The goal was to share my sports highlight videos to our family members and friends who could not attend games. I never expected that every tournament I travel to hundreds of girls come up to me and want a picture with me. This is truly amazing as these girls tell me I inspire them to play sports.

What kind of hitter are you?

I am a multi-talented hitter that can drive the ball for power, work the opposite field, hit the gaps and bunt for base hits. I am very present in the day and very mindful of the day.

Describe your Gameday mental preparation and your thought process and mindset on the field and/or in the batters box.

When I get to the field, I grab a handful of dirt and it grounds me and makes me aware of the environment. The day of my games is a dog fight, it is competition from beginning to end. After the game, I am happy to shake hands and share in a prayer if we are down south and be thankful for the opportunity and the day.

What is your favorite sports memory and greatest achievement?

My favorite sports memory was making my first double play at 6 years olds playing on an 8u team in the North American World Series. My greatest achievement was working for a year to make the USSSA All American Direct Select Northeast team for the All-American Games. I made this as a play-up, one year younger than the rest of the field. My dad and I worked over COVID to make this possible and when we received our medals, I put it around my dad’s neck.

How do you handle adversity and even failure?

I handle adversity and failure by going back into my training facility, PVS, and working with my dad and coaches on a game plan for the next game. For me, it has to be the next pitch/next game mentality. That game is over what can you do in the next game.

How would your teammates and friends describe you?

My teammates and friends would describe me as a leader and as someone they could look to for support. For example when one of my teammates was struggling in the circle, I called time, gave her a pep talk and she struck at the next three batters. My main position is shortstop and I feel a responsibility to take ownership of what happens on the field.

Who is your role-model and or idol and why?

My role model is my dad. He instilled the love of the game in me at a young age and currently he is fighting for his life as he needs a kidney transplant. Still to this day, my dad and I will always stop to watch a game baseball or softball weather we know the people or not.

If you could spend a day with any softball player, former or current, who would it be and why?

If a could spend a day with a current softball player it would be Jayda Coleman. She actually reached out to me through my TikTok and commented that I reminded her of how she played when she was young. She gave me so@w great advice and I feel like we have similar energy when we play.

What is your softball dream/goal?

My softball dream is to represent the USA in the Olympics.

Describe your perfect softball team.

My perfect softball team is one that plays minimal games, has a heavy importance on training and development and playing time/batting order and fielding positions are merit based.

What are some of your favorite college softball teams?

Some of my favorite college softball teams are Louisville, LSU, Florida, Florida State.

What is your favorite jersey number and why did you choose it?

My favorite jersey number is 24 and I chose it because of a private memory between me and my dad. Maybe one day that story will be told.

What other hobbies do you have to balance out softball and your personal life?

My other hobbies are playing basketball, gymnastics, fishing and fashion.

Who would you like to thank for your softball achievements and support?

I would like to thank my dad who is my biggest softball supporter and the one who made me love this game so much. Also Coach Matt Pilewski taught me that I can do anything the boys can do and better if I trust the process. Coach Matt has given me the mental tools that I need to fight any situation. In addition, Coach John Sangillo has transformed my swing into the next level by breaking the norm of what a swing should be. These people are my circle from the very beginning.

“Daniella has an incredible softball IQ with advanced bat to ball skills. Daniella has a very bright future ahead of her.” – Coach John Sangillo

ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT DANIELLA

Walk up Song: Icon

Favorite Food: Meatballs (I am Italian)

Favorite Song: Big Rings by Drake

Favorite Music Artist: Eminem

Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Favorite Sports Celebrity: Ken Griffey Jr. & Michael Jordan

Favorite Movie: Sandlot

Favorite TV Show: Bunked

Favorite Book: Kobe Bryant – Mamba Mentality

Favorite Travel Spot: Florida Keys

Favorite Quote: “You’ll never outwork me.”

End of Article. Thank you for reading and supporting our young aspiring ballplayers.

-- Legacy & Legends Softball, August 26th of 2022