Kelsie Whitmore becomes first woman to play in Atlantic League
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Kids worldwide dream of playing professional baseball daily. Some even hope to play in MLB. But there is one athlete who is close to fulfilling her baseball dream. Her name is Kelsie Whitmore.
Whitmore’s baseball journey begins
Whitmore first picked up a baseball at the age of 6. And right then and there, the relationship between her and the baseball diamond was formed. While the idea of girls playing baseball could be strange to some, Whitmore was out to prove that girls could have just as much success as boys do on the baseball diamond. For five years, Whitmore did just that.
From 2014-19 Whitmore competed with the Team USA women’s baseball team. With the team, she pitched 26⅔ innings and had an ERA of 1.35.
Whitmore also helped the team capture two gold medals at the 2015 COPABE Pan American Game qualifier in La Vega, Dominican Republic, and at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. Before winning two gold medals, Whitmore helped Team USA win a silver medal at the 2014 WBSC Women’s World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan.
Grateful for what I have learned from this coaching staff and the memories this group has given me. Wouldn’t have wanted to win gold with any other team! 🇺🇸🏆 #ForGlory pic.twitter.com/deLbfBiASK
— Kelsie Whitmore (@KelsieWhitmore) August 27, 2019
Before @KelsieWhitmore was making history with the @FerryHawks, she repped 🇺🇸 SIX TIMES on the international stage 💪
Whitmore has posted a 5-1 record with a 1.69 ERA and a .273 average so far with the @USABaseballWNT #ForGloryFacts🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tZKCNbSsnM
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) May 6, 2022
Success in softball
As she continued her dream of playing baseball, she also tried her hand at softball. In 2017, Whitmore committed to Cal State Fullerton to further her softball skill set. She’d quickly master the college softball diamond and finish her career with a batting average of .300, 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. She took home the 2021 Big West Player of the Year award.
Professional baseball
With her softball career closed, Whitmore still had an obsession with baseball. She’d do anything to have the opportunity to play. And thanks to the Staten Island FerryHawks, Whitmore’s dream of playing professional baseball came true.
“[There’s] a little bit of pressure,” Whitmore said in an interview with MLB Network. “For the most part, I’m very thankful to be here and using that pressure as fire to take whatever my skill set is and apply it to the game in any way I can.”
History made.
You’re a professional now @KelsieWhitmore. pic.twitter.com/54tRgOzSx3
— SI FerryHawks (@FerryHawks) April 22, 2022
The FerryHawks play in the Atlantic League, which in some people’s eyes is the last shot for many baseball players. But for Whitmore, it is a first chance to show she can excel at the professional level.
“Growing up [in] this game, you feel like there’s a lot of pressure that comes with it,” Whitmore said. “You just have to ask yourself, ‘How bad do you want?’ No matter how scared you are or how much pressure there is, and at the end of the day, you’re going to want to do it.”
Si 4
Along with her desire to succeed, Whitmore has received help from former MLB pitcher Nelson Figueroa.
“I’ve been [working] with Nelson Figueroa for a while now,” Whitmore said. “For me, as a player, I have to work with everything I got.”
Whitmore has excelled as a two-way player on the field, and one player she has drawn inspiration from is the best two-way player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, and fellow Cal. State Fullerton alumni Michael Lorenzen.
“Shoe Ohtani is a great player,” Whitmore said. “I love watching him play as well as Michael Lorenzen who went to Cal State Fullerton.”
However, Whitmore is still focusing on how she can further her career in baseball. And that is most likely going to be on the mound.
Three up three down in ten pithes for Kelsie Whitmore last night against the first place Blue Crabs! Swipe to see the final out!
In her three appearances in the month of June, Kelsie hasn't allowed a run or a hit against the opposition. #FerryHawks #StatenIsland #HawkCity pic.twitter.com/5k1TuWscuv
— SI FerryHawks (@FerryHawks) June 24, 2022
“I’ve been falling in love with pitching lately,” Whitmore said. “This past offseason, I’ve been focusing a lot on the pitching side of things. But I’m also going to have the position player skill set on the side and be able to hit if needed.”
Future inspiration
As the first woman to sign a contract with a professional league affiliate with MLB, Whitmore can be a figure of inspiration for girls who want to pursue a career in baseball.
“Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘How bad do you want it?’ Whitmore said. “There’s going to be times where you’re navigated into a different direction. Sometimes you have to find a way to get back on the field. Create a small group of people that support and that will help you a long way.”
With the summer in midswing, expect Whitmore to continue to carry a chip on her shoulder as she continues to chase her dream of playing in the big leagues. But regardless of what she accomplishes down the road, Whitmore will be remembered for her hard work and the inspiration she has become for many young athletes.
Kelsie Whitmore takes the field as the first woman to ever start a game in Atlantic League history. Make sure to send this to every little girl who thinks they can’t play professional baseball! Those days are over fans, Kelsie Whitmore has arrived and she’s here to stay! pic.twitter.com/9i7fiCwOYU
— SI FerryHawks (@FerryHawks) May 1, 2022
