PASS THE BAT: Thunder National Player, Gabby Ladd, represents her roots at Puerto Rico Fastpitch Cup

PASS THE BAT is a special section of the Thunder Blog that highlights exceptional Thunder player stories that impact the next generation of Thunder success. Passing the bat matters more than the home run itself. It’s about the hard work, dedication, and resilience it takes to be able to hit the ball over then fence, and then passing that momentum, opportunity, and lessons to the next teammate. If you can see her, you can be her.

Gabby Ladd (2027, uncommitted OF), member of Thunder National 16u Scarcella, spent Thanksgiving 2025 abroad in Puerto Rico competing in the Puerto Rico Fastpitch Cup with All-Boricuas, a program that brings together softball players of Puerto Rican descent from all over who share the same roots and love for the game.

Gabby brings real thunder to the softball field: an electric mix of confidence, fire, grit, and high-level game IQ; paired with a bubbly personality and a sense of humor that instantly lifts everyone around her. Gabby competes with edge, plays with intention, and understands the game beyond her years.

With Gabby’s extended family living in Puerto Rico, this opportunity is a no-brainer for her and her family. Gabby valued “having them see me doing what I love most, playing softball.” Despite the technology we have today allowing her to share her softball journey with her family from miles away, nothing beats the face-to-face interactions and thrill of seeing them on the sidelines at her games. For Gabby, this trip wasn’t just another tournament or typical team experience. “All-Boricuas felt like the perfect way to connect more deeply with my culture and family while competing on a beautiful island,” she shared. “Spending Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico still felt like Thanksgiving because my family was there with me. Having my extended family and both of my grandparents on the island made everything feel familiar and special, especially knowing that it’s where they’re from. Being able to compete while celebrating the holiday together in the place my family comes from made the experience feel full-circle and really meaningful.”

We spoke with Gabby’s dad, Robert, about it; he supported this opportunity for her “because it gave her the chance to embrace her Puerto Rican heritage while pushing herself as an athlete.” He saw his daughter “grow in confidence, and learn meaningful lessons about culture, pride, and teamwork”.

At Thunder, we believe youth softball is bigger than a single opportunity. Chances like this challenge players by new environments, coaching voices, and relationships to build beyond what is familiar. That’s where confidence compounds and perspective widens.

Gabby has extended the Thunder softball community beyond our fences; she brings “the Thunder Way” to a new space, and passes the bat to our younger Thunder players to learn about different ways to love the game we play. Exposure creates opportunity. It raises the standard, strengthens the network, and reinforces that Thunder Fastpitch is a platform, not a ceiling, that helps them mold their future vision of what their softball journey looks like.

“I brought back a stronger sense of teamwork and pride in representing where I come from. I learned a lot about playing with heart and representing something bigger than myself, and I want to share that energy with my Thunder National team and the rest of the Thunder community.”

We are proud of Gabby for passing the bat by seizing the chance to represent her roots, bringing Thunder visibility to this opportunity, and growing her game.

Want to join Thunder? Email info@njthunder.com to get started.