Junior Abby Moore is making history again. Two years ago as a freshman, she was the first female player on the baseball team, and this year, she is one of the youngest players to join the top 60 women baseball players in the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic.
The Classic will be hosted by the Durham Bulls October 10-13. It will feature four teams named for the early clubs of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the ‘40s and ‘50s.
The Colt sat down with Moore to find out more about the upcoming event and her experience as a female baseball player.
The Colt: How did you feel when you found out you had been chosen to play in the Classic?
Abby Moore: I felt very honored, and it felt good to know that there are other women who play baseball. At first when I got recognized for the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic I had no idea that there was a league full of women playing baseball.
TC: In addition to playing in the Classic, you had the opportunity to meet Gloria McCloskey Rogers, a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, what was that like?
AM: Meeting and getting to hang around Gloria was an incredible privilege. I’ve gained so much insight into her journey and how she’s helped pave the way for women like me.
TC: What got you into baseball as opposed to softball, which is typically thought of as the alternative for girls?
AM: I first started playing at a young age where everyone would just play baseball for fun so I never felt intimidated. I never even heard of softball until I was older.
TC: You play catcher for the Colts and you will be playing catcher in the All-American Women’s Classic, what do you like about playing catcher?
AM: Catchers are the captains of the field and not just included but in charge of every play. The intensity keeps my head in the game and keeps me focused on the task at hand.
TC: Do you think playing with boys instead of girls makes you more competitive or more motivated?
AM: Playing with boys instead of girls motivates me to be better than all of the boys. I physically cannot go to sleep at night knowing a guy beat me at something.
TC: Our boys are used to having a girl on the team but do you ever get negativity from other teams?
AM: I have received many negative comments when I’m out on the field from many other teams but I keep my head up and block it out. And my teammates always have my back and are ready to stick up for me.
TC: What would you tell young girls who are interested in baseball?
AM: Don’t let negativity get to you and surround yourself with people who will support you and lift you up.
TC: Who would you say have supported you?
AM: I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents and the sacrifices they have made for example, time, money, and work days to drop me off at practices.
TC: How are you feeling about the upcoming season?
AM: I am playing on the second of our two varsity teams this fall and I’m very excited. I tore my ACL last year and was out for the whole season, so I’m ready to be back and playing again.
TC: In addition to baseball you are also on the varsity basketball team and are currently ranked #2 in the junior class, how do you balance sports and school?
AM: School will always come first, but if I ever have even a second of free time I’ll focus on sports and will have no free time for anything else.
TC: If you were to choose baseball or basketball which one would it be?
AM: If I were to pick between baseball or basketball I would 100% choose baseball. It is my dream to be able to sign and play college baseball at A&M.
