Mia Valcke looking to make Canadian baseball history
Mia Valcke is looking to make her mark on Canadian baseball history, as she aims to be the first female to play for the national baseball and softball teams.
In theory, there are a lot of similarities to baseball and softball, at least to the casual observer. The diamond is set up the same way, and the defense lines up the same. However, with the underhand motion of softball pitchers, and the overhand throwing motion of baseball pitchers, the balls react in different ways. Add in the difference in the distance from the mound, and it can be difficult to adjust from one sport to the other.
That is, it can be difficult for everyone but Mia Valcke. The 17 year old Canadian high school senior has become a standout on both the baseball and softball diamond, catching the eyes of colleges up north. Come September, she will be heading to the University of British Columbia on a softball scholarship, joining her brother Jaxon, a scholarship athlete in baseball.
However, Valcke is not content to just be known for her exploits on the softball field. She is also looking to become the first female to be a part of the Canadian national baseball and softball teams. Interestingly, Valcke is halfway there due to her prowess on the baseball diamond, capturing a silver medal in the 2016 World Cup in South Korea. She had originally been a shortstop in baseball, before an arm injury led to her moving to first base.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Depending on how her softball career continues, Valcke may well achieve that goal. She has already made her mark in softball in high school, and is aiming to do the same in college in just a few more months.
It will also be interesting to watch as she continues her journey in both sports. We already saw French shortstop Melissa Mayeux become the first female player to be added to the international signing list in 2015. Another Canadian, Claire Eccels, was the first female to play in the collegiate West Coast League. Perhaps Valcke will be able to follow in Eccels’ footsteps and be a part of the WCL in the coming years.
At some point in time, there may be a female player in professional baseball. As players continue to develop, and teams are finding viable prospects in every corner of the globe, it just seems inevitable that the prospects will cross gender lines as well. Perhaps Valcke can make history there as well.
Next: Mariners own longest postseason drought
Mia Valcke is looking to make history in Canada. If she continues playing baseball, maybe she can make history professionally as well.