Originally created in 1943, women’s baseball in America sought to fill a hole in sports as a result of men serving in the military during World War II. Upon their return from war, women’s baseball lost its popularity.
However, over the last decade, it has begun to regain its prominence, attracting young talent like former Longwood All-American softball player Megan Baltzell.
Dating back to her childhood, Baltzell had a love for baseball.
“I was all baseball until high school, and I found out I could get a free education through softball,” said Baltzell.
Upon graduating from Longwood in 2015, the two-time Big South Player of the Year played for the national team at the 2016 World Baseball Softball Confederation Women’s Baseball World Cup.
However, the journey to the Women’s Baseball World Cup wasn’t exactly planned despite her long-time love of the game.
“I got an email from the director of women’s baseball, and she asked if I was interested in coming to the open tryout for the national team,” said Baltzell.
With the tryout about eight months away, Baltzell started to retrain for baseball. Despite its similarities to softball, the size of the ball and design of the diamond make a difference in the execution of the most basic aspects of the game - hitting and throwing.
As a slugger, Baltzell said she worked the most on adjusting her hand-eye coordination and the timing of baseball's overhand pitch.
“Coming off a mound that 60 feet away, and you have all kinds of different breaking balls that all break down. Whereas, my eyes were adjusted to screwballs, rise balls and drop balls from 43 feet,” she said.
On defense, Baltzell said the difference in size between a baseball and softball affected how players held the ball, in turn changing how they can throw. While throwing a baseball only requires three fingers, the size of softballs usually demand the whole hand. "Maybe minus your pinky finger," said Baltzell.
"You’re using completely different muscles in your elbow, forearm, and shoulder. Also, the release point is different,” said Baltzell.
Finally, the three-day tryout arrived, held at the USA baseball facility.
A month later, Baltzell was named to the team's trials roster alongside 37 other players. The trials team went to California State University-Fullerton for a week before the coaches released the final roster.
“They sat us in one room, and if they called your name, you made the national team and went to a separate room," said Baltzell. "If your name wasn’t called, you went on a flight back to where you came from."
After being one of the first names called, Baltzell said she had to hold back her excitement before she entered the next room and could celebrate the moment.
“It's everyone’s childhood dream to represent your country, and wear the USA on the front of your chest," said Baltzell.
From there, Baltzell hit third or fourth in every World Cup game, averaging .440 (11-25) with a home run, three doubles and 11 RBIs in the seven game tournament.
"It was just unbelievable, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Baltzell.
With the former All-American catcher in the heart of the lineup, the national team went 6-1, outscoring their opponents 77-13.
After the World Cup's completion in September 2016, Baltzell immediately set her gaze on the next tournament in 2018.
When looking at the future of her baseball career, Baltzell said, “I see myself playing until I’m 40 or my knees give up on me. Whichever comes first.”
Former All-American Longwood softball slugger Megan Baltzell shifted into women's baseball after graduating as a two-time Big South Conference player of the year. Baltzell earned a spot on the women's baseball national team, traveling to South Korea last year for the 2016 World Cup.
