Kelsie Whitmore has been a trailblazer throughout her playing days. She was one of the first women signed by the Sonoma Stompers in the independent Pacific Association, playing two years for the team. Whitmore pitched for the Portland Pickles in 2021, then signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks for 2022, making her one of the first women to sign in a league affiliated with Major League Baseball.
She made more history over the past few days. After getting a start in left, she made her debut on the mound on Wednesday in a pressure filled situation. She came in with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, with former major leaguer Ryan Jackson at the plate.
Kelsie Whitmore shattering baseball’s glass ceiling
If Whitmore was feeling any nerves, she certainly did not show them. After a first pitch ball, she was able to get two called strikes before Jackson flew out to right field to end the threat. Although her fastball may be in the 70s, if she is able to get outs and escape jams such as that one, she will continue to get chances on the mound.
She has not received too many chances yet. Whitmore has just three plate appearances on the season, having been hit by a pitch and scored a run while striking out once. She did handle both of her chances in left without an error. Chances are, she will get more of a look in the field as the season goes on as well.
Whitmore is also the latest female to be shattering the glass ceiling in baseball. San Francisco Giants coach Alyssa Nakken filled in as a first base coach, becoming the first woman to coach on the field in a major league game. Rachel Balkovec became the first woman to manage any affiliated team when she took the helm of the Tampa Tarpons in Low-A. These women are showing that they belong in the game as well.
Maybe Whitmore can take the next step. If she finds success in Staten Island, maybe she can attract the attention of a major league organization. Even if she is not the first woman to sign with a major league team, she is still setting the groundwork as a trailblazer for the next women to dream of playing in the majors.
Kelsie Whitmore is making history with the Staten Island FerryHawks. If she can find success in the Atlantic League, more opportunities could be coming.