0403 - Ashton Lansdell
Ashton Lansdell is a member of the US Women’s National Baseball Team, helping to win the Gold medal at the 2019 COPABE Pan-American Games, and Silver at the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup. She has also played for the Savannah Bananas, and participated in MLB Home Run Derby X competitions all over the world. During our conversation, she referenced a handful of things and people upon which you may want to do more research. Consider this page to be your “liner notes” for the episode so you can follow along.
Ashton Lansdell and me after recording our interview in Kenosha, Wisconsin
KODA
KODA (Kreators of Divine Auras) is the new clothing line created by Ashton Lansdell.
Ashton designs every piece herself, and the font used on everything is her own handwriting.
Be The Energy
KODA’s sun logo symbolizes karmic energy, and is a symbol that Ashton even has tattooed on her.
An Early Start
Ashton started playing baseball at the age of 4, and continued to play baseball throughout her childhood, even when she was the only girl on her team.
Here she is in 2006, playing for the Lake Norman YMCA team.
Breaking Barriers
Ashton became the first woman to be a starting pitcher in a Georgia 7A regional game while playing at Wheeler High School. She helped guide the Wildcats to the 2019 Regional Title.
“Ashton Lansdell Set To Take Mound For Wheeler Baseball Team”
Team USA
At the age of 17, Ashton tried out for and landed a spot on the USA Women’s National Baseball Team, an elite 18-player group of professionals that represents the United States in international women's baseball competitions.
“Get To Know The USA Women’s National Baseball Team As They Go For Gold At The World Cup”
2019 COPABE Women's Pan-American Games
In 2019, Ashton helped lead the team to a gold medal victory at the COPABE Women's Pan-American Championships in Mexico, hitting .583 for Team USA. She was second on the US with 8 extra-base hits, and hit for the cycle against Cuba.
Georgia Highlands College
Ashton played one season of baseball at Georgia Highlands College, where she became the first female to play baseball at the NJCAA level.
Video of Ashton at the 2022 Home Run Derby X courtesy of mlb.com
Making The Switch
Ashton switched to softball for the first time in her life when she transferred to Florida International University for her sophomore year.
Ashton was FIU’s starting shortstop in 2023, ranking 4th in Conference USA and 40th nationally among the leaders in steals.
“She Developed Her Game Playing Baseball, But Could be FIU Softball Team’s Breakout Star”
Team USA
Ashton represented Team USA for the 2023-2024 Women's Baseball World Cup, acting as the team’s leadoff hitter.
#RTEFW
Team USA came just short of their goal to RTEFW, though they did win their first silver medal in a decade at the 2024 Women’s World Cup.
Ole Miss
In June of 2024, Ashton announced she was transferring again, this time to Ole Miss, where she will play for the Rebels during the 2025 softball season.
Savannah Bananas
In June of 2024, Ashton signed a three-week contract with the Savannah Bananas, and traveled around the country playing to sold out crowds in minor and major league ballparks.
Growing Up
Ashton was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but mostly grew up in Marietta, Georgia, which is where she considers home.
Here is Ashton’s 11U team which won the 2012 Georgia State Championship.
Natural Born Hitter
Ashton hit a home run in her very first tee ball game ever. Here she is, a couple years later, locked in at the plate.
Catcher
Ashton’s dad, Scott, was a catcher when he played college ball. Here she is trying the position for herself as a youngster.
Baseball Is Fun
Ashton was never pressured to play baseball, but she had fun doing it, and just happened to be very, very good at it.
Ashton’s Mom
Ashton’s mom, Dana, played volleyball when she was younger, and still works out every day.
Camden
Ashton actually wished for a younger brother when she was 5 or 6 years old and was blessed with her younger brother, Camden.
Outfield
Ashton started as an outfielder because of her speed. On her 12U team, the East Side Strikers, one of her teammates was a girl, as well.
Always Been Normal
There have been some teams where Ashton had female teammates, but it never felt strange to her to be the only girl on an otherwise all-boys team. That’s something she’s lived with her whole life.
High School
High school was the first time gender was something that really got considered, since Ashton had to be in locker rooms to change before and after games. But on the field, she was just another member of the team.
Part Of The Team
That mentality carried on into her college playing days, as well. Once she was in the dugout and on the field, Ashton was just another player on the team, and gender didn’t matter.
Making The Plays
Ashton made it easy for her coaches and teammates to think of her as any other member of the team, because she consistently made the plays on the field.
Braves Fan
Ashton has been an Atlanta Braves fan from an early age.
Tattoo
Ashton got the Braves’ throwback “A” logo tattooed on her after Atlanta won the World Series in 2021. This logo appeared on the team’s caps from 1972 through 1980.
Chipper Jones
Ashton’s favorite player growing up was Chipper Jones. The Atlanta Braves selected him as the No. 1 pick in the 1990 amateur draft and over the next two decades, he helped lead the franchise to its greatest heights, winning a World Series in his rookie season, earning the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, and becoming the face of a baseball dynasty.
The Pressure To Switch
From the time Ashton started playing on travel baseball teams, other parents and coaches would often tell her she should switch to softball.
Baseball vs. Softball
Ashton said she was surprised at just how different softball is than baseball, now that she has played both at a high level.
“Student Who Played Baseball On The U.S. Women’s National Team Now Shifts To Softball At FIU”
Wheeler High School
Ashton went to Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. On March 9, 2018, just two weeks after her 17th birthday, she became the first girl to start a varsity baseball game in Cobb County history when she took the mound, pitching 3 and 1/3 innings in a win against Pebblebrook.
Ashton has this video of her throwing in the bullpen before her first pitching appearance in high school, and scrolls past it often.
Dave McDonald Field
Ashton’s favorite memory playing at her home field in high school was clinching a spot to go to the playoffs for the first time in years.
The 2019 US Women’s National Team
Causing Trouble On The Basepaths
Ashton’s speed and fearless base running are an issue for opposing teams. She can even make what looks like a negative situation turn into a positive by running herself out of trouble, then immediately putting that play behind her to focus on the next one.
Japan’s Women’s Baseball Team
The Japan women's national baseball team won the 2018 Women's Baseball World Cup, which was their sixth consecutive title.
Limited Practice Time
While some countries have their women’s baseball teams together and practicing and playing together all year, the US Women’s National Team is usually only together for a very short time before they’re playing in games that count.
Trying to create team chemistry and get in a good rhythm on and off the field is a challenge for any team, but it’s even harder for a team which isn’t afforded the ability to be together a lot.
Veronica Alvarez
Veronica Alvarez made her managerial debut in 2019 when she became the first female recipient of the USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year award for her efforts in leading the Women’s National Team to a gold medal at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
Malaika Underwood
From her debut in 2006 to her final appearance in 2022, Malaika Underwood played on a Team USA-record 11 national teams and medaled at eight different international competitions. She won four total gold medals, including at the 2006 Women’s Baseball World Cup, the 2015 Pan American Games Qualifier and Pan American Games, and the 2019 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
Alex Oglesby
A key player for the inaugural Women’s National Team that won a gold medal at the IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup in 2004, Alex Oglesby batted .364 to earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team. She played in the Ladies Professional Baseball League before representing Team USA and was the league’s youngest player when it began in 1997.
At just 17 years old, Oglesby led the San Jose Spitfires to the league’s first World Series Championship and was named both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for her efforts. She also helped form the California Women’s Baseball League in 2002, where she earned MVP honors twice.
Reynol Mendoza
During the 2019 team’s run to a gold medal at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, Reynol Mendoza helped coach its pitchers to a collective 3.16 ERA and .255 batting average against in 37 innings of work.
Prior to coaching, Mendoza played seven seasons in the Miami Marlins’ minor league system after being drafted in the seventh round of the 1992 MLB Draft.
Laura Collins
In 2004, at the inaugural World Cup, Laura Collins led the team with a 1.00 ERA while tossing two complete games and allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings.
After winning her gold medal, Collins stepped aside to raise a family and earn a living working for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement near Hollywood, Florida.
After a 14-year break, she re-joined the team in 2018 as a 44-year-old and was teammates with Ashton, who was 17 years old at the time.
“The Future Of Women’s Baseball”
Ashton has been called “The Future Of Women’s Baseball” since she was 17 years old, which can be a lot of pressure to live up to, but Ashton knows that there are women all over the world who can help her carry that torch, not just her teammates on the US Women’s National Team.
“These Two High Schoolers Are The Future Of Women’s Baseball”
Making Team USA
USA Baseball announced the final 20-woman roster for the 2018 Women's National Team following the completion of a week-long identification process in Cary, North Carolina, which included the Women's National Open and Women's National Team Trials.
Ashton’s mom helped her celebrate the life-changing news.
Multi-Sport Star
Ashton also played basketball at Wheeler High School, which is how she tore her ACL during her sophomore year. If it hadn’t been for that injury, Ashton may have made Team USA as a 15-year-old.
222
Ashton tore her ACL with 2:22 on the clock, which was wild because that number already held such significance in her life. Ashton was born February 22, 2001, and has “222” tattooed on her.
First Real Injury
Ashton said the pain was intense, but that the sound of the injury was the scariest part, having never suffered an injury of that severity before.
Surgery
Within a few days after having her surgery, Ashton was already in physical therapy to regain movement and strength in her leg so she could get back on the field.
Georgia Highlands College
On July 18, 2019, Ashton announced her commitment to Georgia Highlands College. The Junior College team had won at least 29 games in the competitive Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association in each of their three previous seasons before Ashton became a part of the program.
Dash O’Neill
When Ashton met coach Dash O’Neill, she knew Georgia Highlands College was the right fit for her, and the place which would allow her to take the next step in her career.
2024 was a special season for O'Neill and the Chargers who led the nation in wins (56), won the Appalachian District Championship, and made the program's first ever trip to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Prior to taking the helm at GHC, O’Neill spent 12 years at NJCAA powerhouse Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, AL. At Chattahoochee Valley, O’Neill helped guide the Pirates to 493 wins, three consecutive appearances in the Alpine Bank JUCO World Series, and the #1 ranking in the NJCAA in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Being Someone’s Favorite Player
As soon as Ashton announced she would be playing at GHC, many people on the internet claimed her as their new favorite college baseball player.
“I Have A New Favorite Baseball Player And Her Name Is Ashton Lansdell”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The AJC came out to GHC to interview Ashton and write a story about her in October of 2019.
Haters
Unfortunately, as anyone who has ever used the internet before can attest, there are always going to be haters out there. How you deal with them and whether or not you allow them to affect you says a lot about you.
Quiet Confidence
Ashton has expectations for herself, which she does everything in her power to live up to. Her confidence is apparent when you watch her practice, play, and just go about life.
Okay… maybe she’s a little cocky, too. But that’s a good thing, sometimes.
Gold Medal
Ashton helped lead the US Women’s National Baseball team to a gold medal victory at the Women's Pan-American Championships in Mexico. The team went 7-0 in the tournament, out scoring their opponents 124-20.
In the gold medal game, Ashton hit a 2-RBI double to center field in the 3rd inning to break the tie and give the US a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Baseball Is Fun”
Ashton says “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”
When you watch her play, it’s very clear that Ashton is doing it right.
A Beloved Teammate
Ashton is always talking on the field, and always getting her teammates to join in on the fun.
Selfies
It’s clear as day that Ashton is the life of the party, and leads by example when it comes to building team chemistry, even if it’s something as simple as taking selfies in the dugout to loosen everyone up before a big game.
More Selfies
Listen, I’m telling you, it’s not for show. This is just who Ashton is, and her personality is undeniable. It’s awesome to watch.
It’s no coincidence who’s in the center of this photo, and why everyone around her is smiling, too.
“Be Present Where Your Feet Are”
Ashton’s mom’s voice is in her head all the time, reminding her to be grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves.
August 22, 2019 vs. Cuba
Ashton went 4-5 with 5 RBI, hitting a double in the 2nd inning, a single in the 3rd, a 2-RBI triple in the 4th, and a 400-foot 3-run home run to dead center in the 5th. Team USA won the game 23-1, thanks to Ashton’s first career cycle.
Working Out
Ashton’s love of the gym, and her desire to be strong (and, you know, to be able to walk and run) helped her mentally as she recovered from her second torn ACL.
Ashton In The Outfield
Ashton originally played outfield because she was so fast.
Pitching
Ashton’s coach knew she had a decent arm, so when the team needed some more pitchers, he brought her in from the outfield and taught her how to pitch.
Ashton on the East Side Heat, where she first learned how to pitch.
Second Base
After her knee injury in high school, Ashton switched her focus to second base. Thankfully, she has always loved infield.
A Dirty Uniform
Ashton’s uniform is literally always dirty once she gets to the field. Whether it be from making a diving play in the field…
Means You’re Hustling
… or sliding on the basepaths, it’s easy to pick Ashton out on the diamond because she’s the one covered in dirt.
Third Base
During her senior year of high school, Ashton continued pitching but also learned to play third base, which is one of her favorite positions to play to this day.
Ronald Acuña, Jr.
Let’s make a list of the things Ashton has in common with Ronald Acuña, Jr.:
Hits bombs
Steals bases
Tons of energy
Insane swag
Fun celebrations
Uniform is constantly dirty
Injury history which includes multiple torn ACLs
Debuted at a young age
Dad was a baseball player
It’s no wonder he’s Ashton’s current favorite player.
Speed & Strength
Ashton’s work in the gym builds her strength, but focused workouts thanks to her trainer help her maintain her speed and flexibility, especially after her injuries, so she can continue hitting triples and stealing bases.
Home Run Derby X
The Home Run Derby X field is limited by a 45-degree angle from home plate. There is a fence between 280-320 feet to centerfield and 260-300 feet down the lines. Both the pitchers mound and batters box are on a raised stage.
Additionally, there are fielders. Two from each team while on defense. Catches count as one point, the same as a home run does for the hitting team.
Alex Hugo
Alex Hugo has been a member of the US Women’s National Baseball Team since 2018. She is Team USA's everyday second baseman and hit at a .308 clip while leading the team in runs scored in 2024.
In 2019 at the 2019 COPABE Women's Pan-American Championships, Alex led Team USA offensively, hitting .652/.742/1.391 with a team-leading 15 hits, 20 runs scored, 18 RBIs and four home runs, while also recording five doubles. She went 6-6 to lead the team in stolen bases, and earned All-Tournament awards for best batter, most home runs and best second baseman. Alex was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and earned the 2019 USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year Award for her performance.
Ashton loves being able to participate in Home Run Derby X events with Alex.
On A Big Stage … Literally
Batters and pitchers are on a 10-foot stage off the ground during Home Run Derby X competitions.
A Winner
Ashton isn’t just there to mess around. She’s there to win. Here she is, celebrating with her Dodgers teammates (including Adrián González) after the 2022 event.
Home Run Derby X Family
It’s a tight knit group, so every time they get to see each other, it feels like a little family reunion.
London Series
Ashton was lucky enough to travel to London for Home Run Derby X in 2023 as part of the London Series fan festival when the Cardinals and Cubs played a two-game series at London Stadium.
Ashton has also traveled to Mexico City and Seoul for other international Home Run Derby X events.
London Tourist
After participating in the Home Run Derby X event in London, Ashton stuck around with her aunt and was able to be a tourist for a bit.
The Switch To Softball
It was a difficult decision for Ashton to switch over to softball, especially after years of being so adamant about playing baseball, but she says it’s a decision she doesn’t regret at all.
Aleimalee Lopez
A former four-year starter for Florida International University and a first-team All-Conference USA selection, Aleimalee Lopez served as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss (2020-21) and as a volunteer assistant at the University of Texas at San Antonio (2018-20) before becoming an assistant coach at her alma mater.
Prior to her return to FIU, Lopez held the position of assistant head coach for the Sarasota Circus, who claimed the 2021 championship in the Florida Gulf Coast Summer League.
Lopez has enjoyed a decorated international playing career as she has been a member of the Puerto Rico National Team for nearly 15 years. She helped the squad capture a gold medal at the 2018 Central American Games and earned a bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games – finishing behind only the United States and Canada.
She also competed professionally in Italy in the Italian Softball League during the summer of 2017.
Big Adjustment
Ashton said the toughest adjustment for her to make when switching from baseball to softball was at the plate, with the pitching motions of the two sports being so wildly different from one another.
First Home Run
On February 9, 2023, in her first EVER softball game at any level, Ashton started at shortstop and hit in the 3-spot against the 10th ranked team in the country, Clemson.
Clemson beat the Panthers 10-1, unfortunately, but FIU’s lone run came in the 3rd inning off of this solo home run Ashton hit to dead center.
Watch the video below to see the full clip.
“This Is Why You Brought Me Here”
Ashton’s teammates were in awe after her home run. She would hit 11 more over the course of her FIU career.
Wearing A Hat
The only question Ashton asked before committing to play softball at FIU was “can I wear a baseball cap on the field?” since that is what she had worn her entire life. When the answer came back “yeah, no problem,” it was a done deal.
Switching back and forth from baseball to softball depending on which sport is in season at the moment can be mentally difficult, so one way Ashton tries to stay focused is by keeping the same stretching routines before each game, no matter the sport.
Focus
Focusing on breathing and rhythm is another way Ashton has been trying to keep calm and in the moment.
Ashton’s Glove
While she doesn’t have many rituals, Ashton said she always likes to make sure that her glove is well taken care of, which is a good habit for players of any age, gender, or skill level to get into.
Routine
One way a player often calms their nerves and makes each at bat in a game feel familiar is by creating a ritual or routine when they’re in the batter’s box. That is something Ashton has been working on to help her succeed.
Playing In The Dirt
Ashton is always kicking around the dirt in the infield, smoothing it out. That’s something I did all the time as a player, too. Not just in the field, but on the pitcher’s mound and in the batter’s box.
Progress
It’s amazing to think how far women’s baseball in America has come since the 1940s, when the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League existed. Ashton says the progress she has personally seen since 2019 is incredible, too.
Social Media
Social media plays a huge part in the growth of the game, both nationally and internationally. Now, when a player makes a great play, hits a big home run, or has a great game, the whole world can not only know about it, but see it within minutes.
Players can have their own followings, earn their own sponsorships, and build their own fan bases. Those are opportunities which weren’t afforded to players in previous generations, and Ashton and her teammates are taking full advantage of those opportunities.
“Dream Until It’s Your Reality”
Ashton has already accomplished so much, but she continues to accomplish bigger and better things because she continues to set goals for herself, and then strives to achieve them.
Part Of The Team
Whether it’s Adrián González, Nick Swisher, Jonny Gomes, or any of her other teammates through Home Run Derby X or another team, Ashton feels like she belongs because she has proven that her skills measure up.
Alex Crosby
Alex Crosby’s love for his heritage first stemmed from being around his mother, who he says is ‘super British.’ Once he saw Great Britain’s support of its soccer team, he knew what country he wanted to eventually represent on the diamond.
Kelsie Whitmore
Kelsie Whitmore has been a member of the US Women’s National Baseball team since 2014. She was named USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year in 2022.
Kelsie played college softball for Cal State Fullerton and has also played professionally for the Sonoma Stompers of the Pacific Association, and the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League, becoming the first woman to appear in the starting lineup in an Atlantic League game.
On April 10, 2024, Kelsie signed with the Oakland Ballers of the Pioneer League. She became the first woman to play for that league, and on June 6, 2024, became the first female to start a Pioneer League game.
Denae Benites
Denae Benites has been a member of the US Women’s National Baseball team since 2019. She batted .364 while maintaining a perfect fielding percentage as a catcher for the team in 2024.
Ashton’s Advice For The Next Generation
Go after what you want.
Do your best doing what you love in life every single day.
Don’t let anyone take your happiness away from you.
If you say you’re going to do something, do it.
If someone says you can’t do something, prove them wrong.
Dream until it’s your reality.
Daily Sports History
On this day in sports history, something iconic, unique, and crazy happened.
That’s what the show Daily Sports History is here to bring you. Listen daily to re-live iconic moments, find out about unique situations, and learn how sports got from its beginning to where it is now.
Listen now at DailySportsHistory.com
“Float It”
If you’ve never seen Rookie Of The Year, don’t watch THIS CLIP.
Beyer Stadium in Rockford, Illinois was the home of the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Beyer Stadium
In 2004, the Rockford Park District approved a proposal to revamp Beyer Park, including a new baseball diamond, new lighting, and a track.
The brick ticket booth was designated a city historic landmark that same year.
August 3, 2023
Ashton Lansdell plays third base while Kelsie Whitmore pitches during an exhibition game at Beyer Stadium in Rockford, Illinois.
August 4, 2023
The following day, the USWNT played another exhibition game at Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Here, Ashton waits in the bullpen down the third base line after warming up during the game.
Dirty Uniform
Seriously. It’s always dirty. It’s awesome.
Young Ashton
Ashton got her start at an early age. She’s been tearing up the base paths ever since.
Freddie Freeman
In the moments after crossing home plate, after his 409-foot homer had crossed the right-field fence and a packed Dodger Stadium crowd erupted in the 10th inning of Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, Freddie Freeman sprinted over to the seats behind the batter’s box and celebrated with his father through the netting.
Supportive Family
Ashton’s entire family is incredibly supportive of her. Her mom and step dad hug her in this photo taken at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. while attending one of the Savannah Bananas games Ashton played in during the summer of 2024.
In Nashville
Ashton’s mom and brother came to see her in Nashville at the Home Run Derby X event at First Horizon Park on August 31, 2024.
Andruw Jones and Nick Swisher headlined two of the four squads, with former University of Oklahoma softball star Jocelyn Alo joining Ashton and her USWNT teammate Alex Hugo among the other participants.
Ole Miss
Ashton’s mom and brother were even a part of her photo shoot to announce her transfer to Ole Miss, where she will play softball in the upcoming 2025 season.
Home Run Derby X in Durham
Manny Ramirez, Andruw Jones, Jonny Gomes, Ian Desmond, Tiare Jennings, Ashton Lansdell, Amanda Lorenz, and Skylar Wallace paired with players from Duke, North Carolina, NC State and UNCW to make up the teams competing at the Home Run Derby X event at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on September 7, 2024.
June 29, 2024
Pretty cool to see your name on any lineup card, but to see it listed fifth in the batting order during the Savannah Bananas World Tour at Victory Field in Indianapolis must have been a truly special feeling.
All Smiles All The Time
This is seriously Ashton all game long. It’s such a pleasure to watch her play.
Very Appealing Jerseys
Get it? Cause it’s the Bananas? So the jerseys are … nevermind.
Ashton and the Bananas played in front of 42,000 fans at a sold out Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
The Differences Between Baseball…
… And Softball
They’re two totally different sports. From the size of the fields, to the size of the equipment, to the motions of the throws, and even the behavior of the dugouts during games. It takes skill to be able to so seamlessly transition between playing both at a high level.
Ange Armato
Ange Armato is a former player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League who spent time playing with the Rockford Peaches and the Kalamazoo Lassies.
She was our guest for Episode 7 of Season 3. You can listen to that episode HERE.
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League started out playing softball (left, 1943). By the time the league played its final season in 1954, they were playing baseball.
The Difference In Throws
When Ashton plays baseball, a throw from third base to first is a little over 127 feet, with a ball that has a 9-inch circumference.
When she plays softball, a throw from the second base bag is 60 feet, with a ball that has a 12-inch circumference. However, when she fields a routine grounder, the throw is closer to 30 feet.
Limited Time Together
Team USA spends so little time actually together as a team compared to some of the other top countries competing against them in international competitions.
Silver Medal
With that in mind, it’s even more remarkable how consistently great Team USA has been, winning the Gold Medal at the 2019 COPABE Pan-American Games, and winning the Silver Medal at the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup.
Playing With The Boys
It was no big deal to Ashton or her teammates for them to be on the same team, or to share a locker room in high school. That’s a huge cultural shift from when Title IX was enacted and signed into law.
Breaking Barriers
From becoming the first woman to play at the NJCAA level in 2021, to playing on a Major League field in front of 42,000 fans with the Savannah Bananas just three years later, it’s been a remarkable ascension for Ashton Lansdell. But she’s achieved everything she has because she’s worked for it all.
Join Our Email Newsletter
It’s free, and it’ll give you some bonus content throughout the month that you won’t get from the podcast episodes or by following any of our other social media platforms.
We put out new issues on the second Friday and the fourth Friday of every month. No more, no less.
Uganda
In December of 2023, four players from the US Women’s National Baseball Team went to East Africa to host baseball clinics which reached over 300 girls across five regions within the Republic of Uganda. Ashton was one of those four players, and she went with Meggie Meidlinger, Anna Kimbrell, and Kelsie Whitmore on a whirlwind tour of the country.
A Poor Nation
Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world. In 2012, 37.8 percent of the population lived on less than $1.25 a day. Families often cannot support their children at school, and in most cases, girls drop out of school to help out in domestic work or to get married.
Baseball At Heart
At Baseball at Heart, their mission is to create an infinite and enhanced baseball community in Africa with a strong focus on youth development and providing opportunities to youngsters from underprivileged communities.
They believe that through the sport of baseball, they can empower individuals, inspire positive change, and foster personal growth.
Grassroots Baseball
Grassroots Baseball celebrates the amateur game around the globe and promotes the benefits of sports in people’s lives, through baseball.
As Grassroots Baseball says, sports aren’t merely a diversion, and their influence doesn’t end at the chalk lines. Playing sports offers so much more than just the final score on the field, especially in historically underserved communities, where they can empower and transform the lives of youth, minorities, and women.
Day 1
Heavy rain flooded the field they planned to use in Kampala, but the resourceful team moved the action indoors. The kids had a blast, practicing base running and hitting before a game between the girls and boys.
Day 2
The second day in Lugazi saw a little more rain, but not enough to keep Ashton and her teammates from working with some girls who already had experience wielding bats in both baseball and softball.
Day 3
On the third day, the group embarked on an incredible journey from the banks of the Nile to the Kakira Sugar Factory. Many kids in the area come from hardworking, low-income families who work in the sugar plantations.
It was a day filled with fundamental skill-building — base running, hitting, fielding, and pitching.
Day 4
The fourth day saw the group travel to Luwero, where the pioneering Luwero Valley High School team became the first-ever champions of women’s baseball in Uganda. A significant number of girls, aged 10 and below, joined the group to delve into the world of baseball.
Day 5
The fifth and final day of the trip led the group to the north region. In the Kiryandongo refugee camp, where many South Sudanese have found refuge, over 40 Sudanese girls passionately embraced baseball.
Jean Fruth
Filmmaker and photographer Jean Fruth surrounds her work with purpose, using the power of images to tell stories and inspire change.
Jean is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization, Grassroots Baseball. Jean’s film debut came in 2024 as Director and Producer of SEE HER BE HER.
Jean is the author/photographer of three books in the Grassroots Baseball Series: Where Legends Begin (2019), Route 66 (2022), and See Her Be Her (2024). Jean is honored to be designated by Sony as one of its select Sony Artisans of Imagery.
See Her Be Her
See Her Be Her celebrates the girls and women of baseball, from the glorious past of the players made famous by Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own, to the ongoing exploits of the most talented females in the game today, to the very real possibility that a woman will one day make her major league debut.
Jean Fruth traveled the globe, shooting on three continents and assembling the over 250 strikingly beautiful photos that illustrate this book.
Buy the book HERE.
Baseball For All
Baseball For All started with one all-girls team playing against boys in Cooperstown, New York, and now has players in over 40 states and 5 countries competing on teams in tournaments all over the U.S.
The nonprofit was founded by Justine Siegal in 2010, and it’s one I’ve been volunteering with this year.
Justine Siegal
Justine Siegal is the first woman in baseball history to coach for a professional men’s baseball team (Brockton Rox - 2009), the first female to throw batting practice to a Major League Baseball team during Spring Training (Cleveland Indians - 2011), and the first woman to ever coach for a MLB organization (Oakland Athletics - 2015).
Since then, her jersey has been hung in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. She has also gone on to work with baseball teams around the world, including Team Israel at the MLB World Baseball Classic Qualifier, and as a guest coach in Japan and Mexico.
She founded Baseball For All in 2010 to provide opportunities for girls to play, coach, and lead in baseball.
Support My Baseball History
If you don’t have PayPal and want to send a donation through Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or any other platform, email me at shoelesspodcast@gmail.com and I’ll send you directions for whichever method you prefer.
We appreciate you being here.