Genevieve Beacom becomes first woman to pitch for Australian professional baseball team
Teenager Genevieve Beacom became the first pitcher to play for an Australian professional baseball team.
The 17-year-old made her Melbourne Aces debut in the Melbourne Challenge Series, registering no hits or runs.
She signed for the Aces earlier this month as a developmental player and was replaced by Saturday’s game against the Adelaide Giants for the opponent’s final innings.
“When I got there, I just wanted to stop the tracks,” Beacom said. “They had some momentum so the goal was just to stop the scoring in the race.”
Despite his best efforts, Beacom was on the losing side. The Melbourne Aces lost 7-1 in the second of a three-game series against the Adelaide Giants.
Beacom already has a number of milestones under its belt. She became the first woman to pitch in a Division 1 match of the Victorian Summer League and represented Victoria and Australia at the youth level.
The star hopes to play college baseball in the United States.
Following his historic appearance for the Melbourne Aces, Beacom thanked his family and coaches for their support.
“If someone is trying to push you into doing something you don’t want to do, you’re pushing softball or playing a sport that you ‘should be playing’ don’t listen,” Beacom said.
“Do whatever you want to do and just know that if you work hard enough you can definitely get there somewhere, it’s not impossible. It can be done.”
Social media responded happily to Beacom’s debut, with one Twitter user posting, “THIS IS! STORY ! Genevieve Beacom, 17, takes the mound for her Melbourne Aces
debut – the first woman to play for a professional men’s baseball team in Australia.
“A pioneer in every sense of the word! “
Another wrote: “It’s 17-year-old Genevieve Beacom making her Australian League Melbourne Aces debut.
“These moments are a friendly reminder that a woman playing professional baseball is not as far-fetched as some might think. It will happen soon.”
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