On July 14, Caylee Barbe, also known as “KK,” was announced as a Top 25 player overall in the 2027 Line Drive HOT 100 player rankings as well as the No. 14 Pitcher in the class and the No. 18 player in the Southeast Region.

A two-way threat whose game in the circle and at the plate is based on POWER, Caylee smashed 14 home runs with a .404 batting average and a .506 OBP as a freshman for Trinity Catholic High in Ocala, Fla. and then shined for Dave Amsler’s Unity travel ball team in the summer, highlighted by a strong Top 5 finish at the Colorado Sparkler which included KK not giving up a run in bracket play.

Her fastball has been clocked as high as 66 mph and, just as batters look for that heat, she’ll have them lunging at a change-up in the low 40’s.

Line Drive Softball caught up with Caylee this week to learn more about her impressive accomplishments on and off the softball fields… here’s what she had to say:

Name: Caylee “KK” Barbe
Hometown/ST: Ocala, Florida
Grad Year: 2027
Position(s): Pitcher/DH
Club Team: Unity Amsler/Johnson 2027/2028
High School (City/ST): Trinity Catholic High School
GPA: 3.5
Preferred College Major: Sports Management

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In your eyes, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams?

I’ll break them down into my own personal accomplishments and those with my teams:

Individually:

• • Being nominated as an All Star and picked to play All American in Colorado.
  • My freshman year of high school, I was nominated for Pitcher of the Year at the MESPY Awards (county high school sports awards) and received runner up,
  • Freshman Rookie of the Year for Trinity Catholic,
  • Ranked 24 on the Line Drive HOT 100 list,
  • 1st team all-county (freshman year),
  • 1st team all-tournament PGF (Fla.),
  • Pitcher of the Tournament PGF (Fla.),
  • Two-time Select 30 Invite,
  • Two-time USSSA Direct Select.

Team:

• • Show Me the Money champions,
  • Arizona Last Blast co-champs,
  • PGF Nationals 3rd place (14U Premier, Unity – Johnson),
  • PGF Nationals 7th place (12U, CF Stars),
  • Atlanta Legacy 14U invitational 2nd place finish
  • Colorado National Power Pool 1 seed and Top 5 finish

What’s been your most memorable softball experience?

• having D1 coaches watch me pitch,
• helping my high school team beat teams that they have never been able to beat in school history,
• when I hit my first home run because I ended up hitting three in back-to-back-to-back plate appearances,
• starting the last game in Arizona in the circle and having to leave mid-game with the lead to catch a flight and watching my team finish the game winning while in the security line at the airport!

What would you say are your strengths on the field?
Being a good teammate and leader and also commanding the circle with my pitches, I also love to be a clean-up hitter and show my power in the box.

Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
I want to become more of leader for my team, increase my velocity and spin rates pitching, and work on better nutrition and exercise routines.

What would you say is your philosophy in life?
No one can write my story because I am holding the pen. Control the controllables and don’t let others to try to change you.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
“Beast” on the field; “Loving” off the field.

What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball? 
Tie between California & Colorado.

Do you have any softball superstitions?
Yes, left before right when putting my socks and batting gloves on and stretching with my bat before hitting.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
All of my “haters” along the way and being told I wouldn’t be good enough for anything.

What drives you to play the game of softball?
This is what I have looked forward to since I was a young girl (passion) and having my coaches and parents that I’ve been able to represent on the field who have always believed in me and helped me get to where I am.

Finally, what’s one thing or accomplishment about you that is unusual or unique which few know (until now)?
I have a big heart.

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OFF THE FIELD:

What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
My Bownet Pitching Spinner Set & my Shamrock glove.

Favorite item(s) in your closet: my shoe collection.

Favorite school subject: Spanish.

Best way to unwind is… Listen to music and relax in my room.

If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go? Play it Again Sports.

What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Chicken Fried by the Zack Brown Band.

Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with… the younger Justin Bieber.

Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of? Street corn.

Best talent off the field? Drawing.

What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
I had so much fun in Las Vegas last summer.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you (sorry: can’t be a phone as they’re no cell towers nearby!)
My Dad or, if it couldn’t be him, then music!

If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
My Grandma Linda.

Favorite college uniform (and why):
I never thought about this but probably the Gators white uniform because it is very sharp and clean.

Perhaps the cleanest #Gators uniform of all time, softball unveiled White and Anthracite uniforms ahead of their matchup with Auburn in March 2017 ❄

📸: Allison Curry pic.twitter.com/Njh2b6sD8e

— Gators Uniform Tracker (@GatorsUnis) March 18, 2020

What worries you most about what classmates your age are facing in the future?
Over population.

If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
I would buy a house, car, other necessities and help my immediate family members with their needs while also giving to charities and the homeless.

What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I can do anything I put my mind to if I never give up.

Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically)?
Athletically, Monica Abbott has always inspired me and, non-athletically, my Mom has always been my biggest inspiration.

When you leave the game of softball, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered for my achievements and also as a good role model for younger players. I want to continue to offer my knowledge of softball through either coaching or lessons like my coaches have done for me.