‘She pitched outstanding’: Oakland Ballers’ Kelsie Whitmore becomes first woman to start Pioneer League game
OAKLAND — For Kelsie Whitmore, Thursday was, in her own words, just another game. She became the first woman in Pioneer League history to start a contest, but nothing changed regarding how she went about her work. Her preparation the same. Her routine was the same. Her pitch mix was the same.
But for many in attendance, seeing Whitmore take the mound hit different.
“It’s cool to be a part of history and it’s a privilege to be a part of it,” Whitmore said following the B’s victory in the Knockout Round against the Yolo High Wheelers. “At the end of the day, when you do what you love, things happen. The opportunities come. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
Whitmore, who allowed three runs (two earned) over three innings with a strikeout, added to an already long list of firsts upon taking the mound.
In 2016, Whitmore and Anna Kimbrell, playing for the Sonoma Stompers, formed the first all-woman professional battery since the All American Professional Girls Baseball League during World War II. In 2022, Whitmore became the first woman to start a game in the Atlantic League, a partner league of MLB. This past April, Whitmore became the first woman to sign a contract with a Pioneer League team. Against the High Wheelers, checked another box.
“There have been a lot of firsts for her, but Kelsie doesn’t do this to be the first at anything. She does it because she loves the sport,” said father Scott Whitmore. “She loves baseball. For me, it’s cool seeing my kid accomplish her dreams. The firsts are just the icing on the cake.”
Whitmore began her evening by striking out leadoff batter Brayland Skinner, freezing the lefty with a backdoor curveball that caused the crowd to erupt. Bobby Lada followed up with a single, but Whitmore’s battery mate, Coleton Horner, threw out Lada as he tried to steal second. Whitmore ended the frame by getting Jose Gonzalez to fly out, receiving a raucous applause as she walked off the field.
Whitmore strikes out the first batter of the game looking with a back door curveball. Crowd is loving it. pic.twitter.com/nxgrfQaAsY
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) June 7, 2024
Following the 1-2-3 first inning, Whitmore allowed an unearned run in the second, then two earned runs in the third after surrendering a pair of solo homers. Whitmore’s three innings were the most she’s thrown in a single outing in her professional career.
“She pitched outstanding,” said Ballers manager Micah Franklin. “If not for a couple plays we didn’t make for her, it would’ve been an even longer outing.”
For many fans, the result of Whitmore’s outing was secondary to the impact she made. Several fans shared that they attended Thursday’s game specifically because Whitmore got the start.
Jeremey Wright, 34, attended the A’s game earlier in the day, then brought his daughter, Julianna, to Raimondi Park so she could witness history. As Whitmore went through her pregame routine, Julianna, ball and pen in hand, yelled out “Kelsie!” to get the pitcher’s attention. From the bullpen, Whitmore gave the young fan a wave.
“You have a lot of kids looking up to her saying, ‘You know what? It’s not just boys out there playing.’ You finally have girls out there playing, and it’s nice to know (my daughter) has a chance,” said Wright. “That’s the biggest thing; for her to have a role model who she can mirror and think, ‘I can do it too.’”
Jerome Atendido, 44, bought tickets to Thursday’s game as soon as he found out Whitmore was pitching. Atendido’s nine-year-old daughter, Audre, hoped to see Whitmore during the team’s packed home opener, but to no avail. On Thursday, Audre got that chance.
“For my daughter, being able to see (women) in baseball, but also women’s soccer and women’s basketball coming to town. Those are all things that show her that girls can play sports as well, as long as you really care,” said Atendido. “It’s huge for us. Whether (Audre) wants to go down that route or not, it’s up to her, but for her to know that that’s an option, I think that’s amazing.”
Matt Deems, 47, decided to attend the game with his daughters, 11-year-old Amara and eight-year-old Anya when he heard the news. Amara, like Whitmore, is the only girl on her baseball team, and has been following Whitmore for a number of years.
“It’s a privilege to be able to be that person for their daughters and hopefully provide a positive impact,” Whitmore said.
“(Parents) appreciate what Kelsie has done,” said Scott Whitmore. “They love the fact that she’s helping motivate their daughters to achieve. It’s not necessarily in baseball, but it’s how to empower young women to reach for their goals and continue to strive to be successful. More than anything, never give up on what you really set your heart on.”