Women in baseball have taken huge strides to play in college, coach in MLB, and work in the highest levels of the game—and yet there are still girls in high school being told they can’t play baseball.
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In @lilyeverette_ ‘s case, it should be a no-brainer. After all, she’s already made Varsity as a sophomore (RHP/1B); her HS coach knows she deserves a spot; and her teammates, the parents, and the school’s AD all want her on the team.
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And yet, Lily, a 15-year old from North Carolina, is still not allowed to play for her HS baseball team.
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So, what’s the problem?
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The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) has made it clear that baseball is a sport for boys—and as such, Lily isn’t eligible to play.
Scott Groce posted this on Facebook
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“The state organization (@ncisaa) in which [Lily’s private school,] Carolina Day is a member still has the outdated protocols of softball and baseball being equivalent games that do not allow girls to play baseball,” says Brad, Lily’s dad.
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Over the past year, Lily’s friends and family have tried to go to bat for her to get the policy overturned, but so far, the NCISAA hasn’t budged.
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For now, Lily, unable to play in regular season games with the team, is helping to coach the team. She’s never missed a game in her life until this year, and is working out with the team so she can jump in the minute she becomes eligible.
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“The most frustrating part of this process is having to sit the bench during games,” she says. “Although, I have still been able to be involved by warming up the pitcher between innings, helping coach 1st base, and taking action photos of the team, I really want play in the game.”
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That’s all she wants: to play on the team where she’s already earned a spot to do so—and she’s not going to give up.
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“Long before i started playing there were trailblazers like Jackie Mitchell and Maria Pepe that proved to us we belong in baseball. “My message to girls experiencing the same thing is that you are not in this alone! People are fighting for you. Don’t lose courage. Girls belong in baseball.”
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We’ve got your back, Lily—and we’re ready to fight and stand with you, every step of the way 💯#baseballforall #letlilyplay
•
In @lilyeverette_ ‘s case, it should be a no-brainer. After all, she’s already made Varsity as a sophomore (RHP/1B); her HS coach knows she deserves a spot; and her teammates, the parents, and the school’s AD all want her on the team.
•
And yet, Lily, a 15-year old from North Carolina, is still not allowed to play for her HS baseball team.
•
So, what’s the problem?
•
The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) has made it clear that baseball is a sport for boys—and as such, Lily isn’t eligible to play.
Scott Groce posted this on Facebook
•
“The state organization (@ncisaa) in which [Lily’s private school,] Carolina Day is a member still has the outdated protocols of softball and baseball being equivalent games that do not allow girls to play baseball,” says Brad, Lily’s dad.
•
Over the past year, Lily’s friends and family have tried to go to bat for her to get the policy overturned, but so far, the NCISAA hasn’t budged.
•
For now, Lily, unable to play in regular season games with the team, is helping to coach the team. She’s never missed a game in her life until this year, and is working out with the team so she can jump in the minute she becomes eligible.
•
“The most frustrating part of this process is having to sit the bench during games,” she says. “Although, I have still been able to be involved by warming up the pitcher between innings, helping coach 1st base, and taking action photos of the team, I really want play in the game.”
•
That’s all she wants: to play on the team where she’s already earned a spot to do so—and she’s not going to give up.
•
“Long before i started playing there were trailblazers like Jackie Mitchell and Maria Pepe that proved to us we belong in baseball. “My message to girls experiencing the same thing is that you are not in this alone! People are fighting for you. Don’t lose courage. Girls belong in baseball.”
•
We’ve got your back, Lily—and we’re ready to fight and stand with you, every step of the way 💯#baseballforall #letlilyplay
