L'Épopée des héroïnes du baseball

During International Women’s Rights Week, we honor the contributions and achievements of women who defy established norms and pave the way for a new era of equality on the baseball field.

The beginning of a rich and diverse history

Starting in the 1860s, the sports landscape was enriched by the emergence of women’s teams, marking the beginning of a new era for women’s baseball. These teams, engaging in sporadic matches and local competitions, wrote the first lines of a history in the making. The first official women’s baseball game took place in 1875, in Springfield, Illinois, during a historic confrontation between two all-female teams.

The pivotal year of 1943, amidst a world war, saw the birth of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. This league was created to fill the void left by the departure of many male players to the front lines. Since then, women’s baseball has continued to gain popularity, giving rise to a gallery of notable personalities over the decades.

They made history in this sport

Edith Houghton, a dazzling star of baseball in the 1920s–30s, broke gender barriers by becoming the first woman drafted into Major League Baseball. Her role as a shortstop remains an indelible mark in baseball history, illustrating her pioneering impact and lasting legacy.

Alyssa Nakken, the first full-time female coach for the San Francisco Giants in MLB (Major League Baseball) since April 2022, embodies a historic turning point in professional baseball, symbolizing an era of inclusion and diversity in the sport. She was hired by the team to contribute to initiatives related to player health and well-being.

Despite her undeniable talent, Bérénice Gera, the first woman to officiate as an umpire in a baseball game in the United States in 1972, was forced into early retirement. This decision resulted from the persistent prejudices and dominant mindset in the baseball world of the time. Her journey highlights the inevitable obstacles women had to overcome in the 1970s to make their mark.

Melissa Mayeux, a talented shortstop, made history in French baseball by becoming the first woman to win the second division in France in 2014, thus opening new perspectives for women in French baseball. Today, she is writing her name in history by becoming the first Frenchwoman to play professionally in the United States.

Ra Kyung Kim began her professional baseball career with determination and excellence. By founding the JDB (Just DO Baseball) team, she paved new paths for women in sports in South Korea. As a pitcher for the national team, she proved her talent and commitment to the game.

Eri Yoshida, an icon of professional baseball, transcends the limits of her sport with her exceptional knuckleball pitching. Nicknamed the “Knuckle Princess,” she defies gender conventions by breaking stereotypes, becoming the first Japanese woman to join a professional men’s baseball team in the United States, the Chico Outlaws. This historic breakthrough in her career and in the history of baseball itself is a powerful testament to her dedication and determination.

Once rooted in a strictly male vision, baseball is gradually transforming, increasingly adopting mixed-gender teams as a fundamental pillar of its identity. A clear example of commitment to diversity and inclusion in the world of baseball is seen within the Storm de Lagny-Sur-Marne club. This commitment is particularly reflected in the youth team, especially in the under-15 category, where half of the roster is composed of motivated and courageous young girls. At the helm of this team, Sacha Gavinet Lassalle shines in her role as captain, perfectly embodying this legacy of women’s baseball.