The Sandlot might have had it wrong all along. The insult of playing ball like a girl might not work anymore with the breakout of 16-year-old phenom Melissa Mayeux. Mayeux has become the first female added to Major League Baseball's international registration list. Major league teams are able to sign international players to contracts once they are put on the MLB international registration list. Mayeux's performance for the French U-18 junior national team as a short stop led to her becoming the first female on the registration list.
MLB Director of International Game Development Mike McClellan explained to MLB just one of many instances that Mayeux proved she belonged on the registration list:
"She was facing a 19-year-old Dominican pitcher who was throwing 91 mph, which is considerably harder than most pitchers in her age group can throw. She ripped a base hit off of him, just to the right of second base. She just went with the pitch, and she looked good doing it."
Being the first female added to the list, and to break in at such a young age, has caused excitement and speculation for sports fans. During a roundtable discussion at SB Nation, Emily Waldon of Bless You Boys expressed her reserved optimism:
"For me, I'm excited to watch Mayeux develop. I have to say I wasn't very aware of her activity until just recently, but watching her game tape shows a very intriguing individual. I truly hope she is about to break into the WBC. I, for one, will be watching. As far as what the future holds? Being 16, we all have a while before a solid answer can be provided."
Do you think Mayeux will become the first female to play in the major leagues? How long do you think it will take until MLB has a female player? We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts below.
