THE LEADOFF INITIATIVE

WELCOME to the leadoff Initiative

Since the very first time I picked up a bat, I've been in love with the game of baseball.
I see you. I hear you. I'm with you.

Established in 2020, The Leadoff Initiative serves as a safe space and resource for girls who have a passion for the game of baseball. Here at TLOI, we know that the journey in the game is tough, and the feeling of solitarily navigating your way through isn't easy. We are here to tell you that you are not alone, because we, along with lots and lots of other girls across the globe, see you, hear you, and are with you.

Our initial objective is to raise money and materials for those who need it, with our Scholarship Campaign. By distributing gift cards and/or equipment itself to them, we hope to make the game available to everyone who loves it, regardless of their gender and the resources they have.

You belong in this game. We all do, and that's what makes baseball the greatest game on Earth. I'm excited to start this journey with you, and know that we'll be cheering you on every step of the way. You got this.

Maggie Heaphy

Founder, The leadoff initiative

As a part of my Baseball for All Junior Captains and Captains Project, I decided to create The Leadoff Initiative, a website and resource page aimed towards girls who love the great game of baseball. I’ve been in love with the game for as long as I can remember, and although I am extremely lucky to say that my path as a ballplayer has been a lot easier than others, largely due to the support of my family & friends, some great coaches, some great teammates, and many others who have helped me get to this point, I can clearly say that, like every girl who is choosing this path, there have been some bumps in the road. I've been playing organized baseball since I was around the age of seven, and ever since then, I've just about always been the only girl on the field. And, I'm sure it's the same way for most girls. This is one of the many challenges that we, as female players, face, and, to be quite honest with you, it doesn't go away. When you find yourself sitting far away from the team on the bench, or are the last person chosen to throw with, resulting in warming up with the coach as your partner, how do you feel? Distant? Alone? I've been through it too, and believe me, it hasn't been easy. I play on a highly competitive travel team in my area, as well as my high school team, where just about all of my teammates are a foot and a half taller and sixty pounds heavier than I. I know how it is to feel like you don't belong there, but the reason I founded The Leadoff Initiative is to tell you all that you DO belong. If you want to take part of this crazy journey and go down the path of a female baseball player, it won't be easy. But you can do it. I know you can. We all have those hard practices, the snarky comments said to you, making you, once again, feel alone. However, I hope that this site will help unite us. The biggest issue for me growing up in the sport was that I never really had anyone to go through it all with, and so I hope that I can offer a bit of wisdom, companionship, and support through your darkest as well as your brightest moments. Thank you so much for your support, and I hope you can help through this journey.

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