Baseball has long been a male-dominated sport, but in Cleveland, a local organization is making significant strides in growing the game for girls and young women. Baseball for All is a nonprofit dedicated to building gender equity by providing opportunities for girls to play, coach, and lead in baseball.

Motivation and Inspiration

Justine Siegal, the founder of Baseball for All, shared her own story. "So many girls are told they shouldn't play because they're girls. When I was about 13 years old, I was told I should quit baseball because I'm a girl, and from that day on, I knew I had to keep playing." It was this personal experience that motivated her to create a better future for other female players.17-year-old Shaker Heights student Molly Milligan has been playing baseball for most of her life. She plays on an all-boys team and is used to it now. "Those guys are my friends," she said.Today, Baseball for All hosted a girls' baseball clinic in Cleveland, and they plan to host them monthly at various locations across Northeast Ohio. "It always warms my heart when I see a girl playing baseball, but then to get that girl to meet other girls who love baseball and play baseball. To me, that's what it's all about," Siegal said.

Opportunity and Expectation

With the recent announcement of a women's professional baseball league set to start in 2026 in the United States, 14-year-old Alexia Van Snick is excited about the future. "I was very excited to hear that there's a lot of women who didn't get the chance to play when they're younger because they were told not to, but now they'll have the opportunity to shine."At 14, Van Snick plays on an all-boys travel team in Akron and spends time helping younger girls learn the game. She believes that Cleveland needs more diversity in sports and baseball in general.Women's sports are on the rise, and Cleveland is looking to become a part of the women's sports industry. Cleveland has already submitted a bid to bring a national women's soccer league team and is working to bring a WNBA expansion team. This makes women baseball players wonder if a team could ever come to Cleveland.In conclusion, Baseball for All is making a real impact in Cleveland by giving girls and young women the chance to pursue their love for baseball. With the upcoming professional league and the city's efforts in other women's sports, the future looks bright for baseball players of all genders in Cleveland.