Since 2022, a spirited team of young girls has been turning heads, challenging norms, and causing spectators to sit up and take notice. Ball Girls Baseball, a 13-U all-female travel baseball team that’s leaving an indelible mark on the ballfields of Ballparks of America and beyond.
The premier baseball facility in Branson, Missouri, recently played host to this phenomenal group of young ladies hailing from seven different states and Canada. This team has been enriching America’s favorite pastime with an enviable flair.
“These girls have proven that they not only meet the playing requirements but surpass them, matching stride-for-stride with their male counterparts on a completely level playing field,” expressed Ballparks of America’s General Manager, Ryan Wolfe. “And if you thought the extraordinary ends there, think again. These girls aren’t just baseball players. They are advocates for change and uncompromising pioneers who refuse to be confined to stereotypes.”
Ball Girls Founder and this team’s Head Coach, Allie Lacey, a former collegiate softball player and coach, shared, “These girls play with the boys back home. They play with our girls back home. They really don’t want to touch that yellow ball.” It’s clear that these girls are dedicated not to softball or just any ball– but to baseball, and their tenacity to play the sport they love.
Allie understood the struggle young girls faced in finding an opportunity to play America’s pastime. This led her to lay the foundation for Ball Girls Baseball, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that offers girls from Canada to California the chance to play baseball and be part of a team that resonates with their passion.
“Seeing the look on these girls’ faces and hearing them say, ‘I’ve never been on a field playing with this many girls before,’ is really what it’s all about,” Lacey added.
The journey of Ball Girls Baseball symbolizes more than just baseball. It stands testament to the impact an organization like SFC has, providing a platform for these young athletes to break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and rewrite the narrative. By hosting the first all-girls travel baseball team, Ballparks of America is empowering these girls to step into their greatness, one home run at a time.
“Playing at these amazing facilities with fields that are replicas of major league stadiums is exactly what we want to give these girls–” said Lacey. “The opportunity to get as close as they can, so they continue to push toward their major-league dreams.”
In hosting the Ball Girls, Ballparks of America hasn’t just facilitated another sporting event. It has nurtured dreams, fueled ambitions, and reinforced the belief that the spirit of baseball extends beyond gender. It’s a game changer and a reminder that the future is not just open for us to shape– but for these inspiring young girls to rewrite, stronger, bolder, and fiercer.
