Student Bella Nesbeth Publishes Children’s Book on Sports and Diplomacy
Drawing on her personal life and experiences as a student athlete at Grinnell, Bella Nesbeth ’26, an international relations major from Morrisville, North Carolina, has authored a book that blends her passions for political science, softball, literature, and diplomacy.
Titled Diplomat Up to Bat: Sports Diplomacy in Action!, the book centers on Lily, a 12-year-old softball star from Central Iowa Middle School who has the opportunity to play softball in Botswana through the Sports Envoy Program. Throughout her journey, Lily overcomes challenges, makes new friends, and discovers the power of sports to bridge cultures and changes lives.
The book also features contributions from Emma DiGiacomo Zahller ’24, a former teammate who served as editor. “As a good friend and an editor, she was very helpful in the process of writing the book,” says Nesbeth.
A Passion for Diplomacy and Sports
Nesbeth’s motivation for writing Diplomat Up to Bat stems from her deep interest in how sports can serve as a bridge between diverse cultures and political landscapes. “Growing up, I was always fascinated by how sports could unite people from different backgrounds and create diplomatic dialogues,” Nesbeth explains.
Nesbeth experienced this firsthand in 2023 on a summer trip to Rwanda where she connected with local children while playing soccer. “I was inspired by the way we were able to make connections and have fun through sports even when we did not speak the same language,” she says.
This past summer, Nesbeth was a Charles B. Rangel Undergraduate Scholar, which allowed her to further explore careers in International Affairs. “We visited the State Department and I learned they have a whole department dedicated to sports diplomacy,” she explains. “My hope is that the book will introduce a young audience to sports diplomacy and the field of International Relations.”
Involvement, Exploration, and Growth
Nesbeth credits much of her success to the experiences at Grinnell that have reinforced her passions and allowed her to pursue opportunities to explore them further. “Grinnell’s open curriculum has given me the freedom to explore my passions and connect different fields of study,” she says.
In addition to her role as an outfielder on the softball team, Nesbeth has served as a Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) leader and a member of Student Athletes Leading Social Change (SALSC). She was also awarded first prize in the McClenon Clark Playwriting Award in the theatre department in 2023 and 2024, and is currently a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a LINK mentor.
Nesbeth is studying abroad in Tallinn, Estonia, this semester as a Benjamin A. Gillman Critical Language Scholar. “I will also have the opportunity to practice with a team in Helsinki, Finland, including some members of the Finnish National Softball Team,” she adds. “When I return to Grinnell, I’m excited for another season of Grinnell Softball!”