Mo’ne Davis, hundreds of women’s baseball players prepare for the pros

“I’ll be straight up about that. I didn’t want to go play college softball,” said Whitmore, who showed no ill will toward softball while on her way to becoming the 2021 Big West Conference Player of the Year. “There were no opportunities for women in baseball, so I had no choice. But I did it. I wouldn’t take it back; it’s part of my journey.”

Lauren Boden, 33, and her sister Susanne Boden, 30, dropped everything in their busy lives as doctors to train for these tryouts.

Even though they didn’t make the cut, both women said they were overjoyed just to compete in the sport they enjoyed playing as girls before transitioning to softball at Division III Pomona-Pitzer.

“It was just great to be back in a super competitive atmosphere,” said the younger Boden, who, along with her sister, hopes to try out again next year. “And honestly, every time you’re told ‘no,’ it lights a little spark under you. I’m leaving here even more motivated.”

League co-founder Justine Siegal said every woman who has ever picked up a baseball now has the chance to play without being the only woman in a dugout filled with men.