The562’s coverage of Vikings athletics is sponsored in part by Long Beach City College.
Despite wrapping up her time as a player, Bella Alonso knew her time with softball wasn’t over just yet. After spending her collegiate career between Northridge and Long Beach State, Alonso has now joined the coaching staff at Long Beach City College.
Alonso is a product of the Long Beach softball scene. From her recreation ball days at Heartwell to shining in the circle for the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits before wrapping up her collegiate career at Long Beach State, Alonso is proud to continue representing her city.
Joining the Vikings’ team, Alonso has been brought on as a pitching coach. As a former pitcher herself, Alonso said it was easy to say ‘yes’ to LBCC.
“I’ve always had a great experience in Long Beach sports, so when this opportunity presented itself, it was a no-brainer,” Alonso said. “Now being a pitching coach, it’s a different lifestyle and a different groove of a player. Being able to say that I was a player for so long and being able to give back to the community is really why I’m doing this.”
While most coaches are focused on settling in and earning the respect of their team, Alonso has a different goal: recovery. After her career as a player came to an end at Long Beach State in the spring, Alonso underwent surgery to repair one of her two torn hips.
Alonso’s collegiate career was riddled with the effects of these injuries. She said she was not able to reach a point of stability until her senior year at Long Beach State, where she collected 44 strikeouts on 27 starts.
Now, stability looks different than the numbers she can put on the stat sheet. While she is in recovery, stability looks like connecting with her players and sharpening their craft — something that became extremely important to her in the midst of recovery.
“The hips and everything else became small because I was playing for something bigger,” Alonso said of her transition into coaching. “This sport gives so much to you as a person, so giving back to the game is my biggest mindset.”
The switch to coaching has been easy with such a supportive program behind her, Alonso said in reference to LBCC. She is also leaning on her years of experience as a player to help guide her approach as a coach.
“My favorite words throughout my entire softball journey were ‘fierce and grit mentality.’” Alonso said. “I want these pitchers and catchers that I’m working with to be able to fulfill their goals and feel like they gave their entire heart out to softball.”
Alonso said bringing her perspective as a player into her new role as a coach has been immensely helpful. She is able to connect with players and communicate with them in an effective manner.
With these experiences comes mutual understanding. Alonso recognizes some of the stress that her players can be under, so her goal for them is simple.
“My biggest goal is just for them to get 1% better every day,” Alonso said. “I want to put my 110% into them and that program.”
As Alonso settles into her new role, she is staying focused and rooted in her coaching style. For her this is bigger than just a job — this is for her community.
“Long Beach is that community that always wants to give back because we are a family,” Alonso said. “When I came back to Long Beach City College, that was more so of finding my roots and being able to have that community where they’re always there for you. Living here is just a different energy that I experienced and coming back was the most fulfilling journey that I could have had.”
