Line Drive Media

Throwback Thursday: 2030 Standout Daniella Neve Update...“Softball Is My Passion… & My Dad Is My Strength” (Jan. 23, 2025)

By Brentt Eads

January 23, 2025

Ryan and Daniella Neve... given a second chance to grow together on and off the field.

Throwback Thursday: 2030 Standout Daniella Neve Update...“Softball Is My Passion… & My Dad Is My Strength” (Jan. 23, 2025)

I once estimated that I’ve done over 10,000 softball-related articles and the one today featured below has to be in my Top 10 of favorites in my career.

Daniella at the Duke Camp earlier in January.

Following the love between dad & daughter — Ryan and Daniella Neve–has been inspirational and uplifting over the past several years and, today, all is right in the world when it comes to their family.

Two years ago, however, it didn’t look so promising Ryan became ill and it was a scary ride culminating with him needing a kidney transplant.

It was a scary time for the family but things are going great currently and, as we launch the 2023 Line Drive Hot 100 next week, it’s not revealing too much to say that Daniella will be listed as one of the top prospects in her class after a tremendous 2024 year with the Texas Bombers Gold Futures 14U team coached by Kristi Malpass.

This week, Daniella updated us on her father’s health and where they are today. You can also read below the original stories done on their journey…

She wrote:

As I reflect upon the two-year anniversary of my dad getting a kidney transplant, I am forever grateful for every day.

My passion is and always will be softball, but life throws everyone curves. It is up to each and every one of us to lean on our passions to help us get through the hardest of times. For me, softball helped me do just that.

My dad was always healthy and energetic, until he was not.

The 2030 grad at the plate for the Texas Bombers Gold 14U Futures team.

Two years ago, he had trouble walking up steps without getting out of breath, he had trouble playing catch with me and my brother and he was always so tired. He pushed through every day, but something was off, so he went to the emergency room and we found out the horrific news: my dad was in kidney failure and he needed a kidney transplant.

I will always remember that day… the day my life changed.

Now, I had to be healthy and strong for my dad as he sat through dialysis three times a week for a year and eventually had a kidney transplant.

Fast forward to now, as I am writing this, I just got home from attending Duke University softball camp with my dad and my family. My dad is healthy, energetic and back pushing me to do my best.

For the first time in a long time, I could breathe and let myself go and enjoy my dad being healthy. He is back to throwing me batting practice and playing catch for a long time with me.

He is now my strength and support as I chase and work hard for my dreams and goals!

— Daniella Neve, Class of 2030, written Jan. 2025

*****

From the Heart: Standout 2030 Daniella Neve Writes “Softball Is My Passion… & My Dad Is My Strength” 

Originally posted March 27, 2024

Daniella and her father Ryan, who received a kidney for a transplant after the sixth grader used her massive TikTok following to get word out.

This is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Softball

If I had to pinpoint one specific thing I love most about what I do for a living—working in fastpitch softball media—it’s getting to meet and interact with the wonderful people that are the players, coaches, and family members that drive the sport.

Daniella Neve smiles after a big hit for her Impact Gold club team out of Alabama.

A year ago, I was blessed to write and produce what has become one of my all-time favorite stories: the amazing journey of 2030 grad Daniella Neve.

Today (March 27, 2024), she’s a flourishing member of the Impact Gold 12U team in Alabama, but two years ago she used her off-field skills with massive Tik Tok following of over 118,000 followers to help find a kidney and save the life of her loving father and biggest fan, Ryan Neve.

Recognized for her loving diligence in helping her father, Daniella received the “18 Under-Eighteen Award” as awarded by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania on Feb. 6, 2024.

Per the Junior Achievement website: 

“‘18 Under Eighteen’ presented by EQT’ recognizes and celebrates these young trailblazers by providing nationally recognized leadership training, local media recognition, and real-world opportunities like mentorships, scholarships and internships.” 

One of the top players in her class, Daniella kindly agreed to update us on where she and her father are today and what the experience taught her.

Here, in her own words, is the young athlete’s beautiful tribute to her father and the wonderful ways she appreciates him.

*** Warning, though: you may want to have some tissues nearby; just in case your allergies might happen to act up while reading this…

Daniella's table at the 18 Under Eighteen ceremony in February.

*****

From the Heart               

In 2022, Mr. Eads wrote an amazing article featuring myself and my dad and his journey to get a kidney. Well, it has been over a year and here is my current take written from the heart

The world in which we are currently growing up can be tough.

As young athletes, we are pushed more and more every day, being constantly compared to others and thrown out there on social media, but it is up to us to realize what we want and what is truly important. 

Daniella & Dad enjoy some time together off the softball fields.

For me, my young life completely changed in an instant when my dad’s kidneys failed and he needed a life-saving kidney transplant. I was shocked, angry, sad, and mad, but eventually knew that this was happening… and this was real life now for me. 

I had to do something to help and so I leaned on my favorite sport, softball, to get me through. 

For a year and a half, I watched my dad—my throwing partner and my hero—become weak and very sick after his three-times-per-week dialysis treatments. 

Every single day, I rushed home from school to make sure my dad was still there and that I could still give him a huge hug. And every single day, I knew that he was struggling and not feeling well, but he still worked hard and never missed a beat. 

My dad never missed training with me, never missed a hitting or fielding lesson and never missed a tournament. 

I saw this strength in him to never give up and I modeled that strength even more.

I pushed myself even harder and I loved it and continue to love it. I was healthy and I could move my body, I could hit, I could throw, I could field and, now, I was his strength on his toughest days. 

So, I took it a step further and used my @bucktiktok platform to help spread the word about my dad and how he needed a kidney. 

These videos “blew up” and went viral!

Seemingly every local and national news channel picked up my dad’s story as well. We were everywhere… and it worked!

Daniella poses proudly after receiving the 18 Under Eighteen Award.

My dad received the call that a complete stranger was giving him a kidney. His transplant happened on January 5, 2023, and it was a success! 

Now, just over a year later I have my dad back! He is stronger and pretty much back to normal and we get to train everyday together, just like before. 

For me, softball is not only a sport that I love, but also a passion.

I love how the dirt feels in my hand when I step out onto that field and the game of softball and all of the training that I love helped me through the hardest time of my life so far. 

Every one of us has gone through something, is going through something or will go through something, but you need to find your passion and it will get you through the darkest of days. 

So, thank you softball, l for always being my passion and thank you, Dad, for being my strength.              

Daniella Neve (Class of 2030)

*****

Be sure to watch this video produced by CBS Pittsburgh spotlighting dad and daughter:

Check out our other LINE DRIVE MEDIA links:

Get access to even more Line Drive Media content!

Follow us on social media

MORE
ARTICLES

Friday action between TN Mojo and AZ Rising (01.24.25) GOOD
Event News: Day 1 at the AZ Last Blast Includes Great Performances on the Field, Fun Stories Off It! (Jan. 25, 2025)
January 25, 2025
Epic_National_Smith_18U_Elite_8_AFCS_2024
Club Organization Spotlight: Epic Fastpitch (Jan. 25, 2025)
January 25, 2025
Abby_Stenerson_CO_Batbusters_swing
Club News: The Final Pitch (Jan. 24, 2025): Spotlighting Team USA's Abby Stenerson, 'Walk The Line' & Positive Vibes
January 24, 2025

GET THE LATEST UPDATES

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Sign up to receive immediate, daily, or weekly news updates!

Search