Women in Baseball Interview - Carol Sheldon

Carol Sheldon is a modern-day counterpart to the players of the AAGPBL. She was inducted into the National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. She took the time to answer some of our questions.

1) How did you get interested in playing baseball and where did you play before you turned pro?

I was playing slo pitch and one of my teammates was a player/manager of the Michigan Stars. They needed players and I thought I would give it a try, I always loved baseball. I had played major slopitch for 25 yrs and I was also a former college fastpitch player (WMU). In 1995 I was inducted into the Michigan USSSA HOF.

2) What position(s) did you play? Which teams did you play for?

I currently play for the So. Bend Blue Sox in the GLWBL. I have also played for the following teams:

1997-99 Lansing/Michigan Stars
2000-03 Detroit Danger
2004 Motown Magic

I play mostly 1st base and 3rd base. I have also pitched a little.

3) What was the best thing about playing pro ball?

What I have played is considered semipro. The best thing about playing is the traveling and the people that I've met. Just getting a chance to play.

4) What was the worst thing about playing ball?

Most everything has been great. Negative attitudes would be one of the problems but the most discouraging problem is the lack of sponsorship. Most players have to pay to play. I've had to pay for transportation, uniforms, hotels and even umpires.

5) What was the highlight of your career?

  • Playing in Tiger Stadium (2001) as part of the first ever all women's game.
  • Playing in Colveleski Field, SB, in front of about a dozen former AAGPBL players. Also signing my first autograph for a young boy.
  • Being inducted into the National Women's Baseball HOF in 2003.
  • Finally, any day I get to put on a uniform and play.

6) Who were the best players you played with or faced? Comments?

  • Brenda Davis (Stars), she could do it all, pitch, catch, throw and hit.
  • Keri Lemasters (Stars), current USA player, very good pitcher with a great pick off move and a fine second baseman. Excellent base runner and hitter.
  • Kris Raniszewski (Danger,Magic) , Very good left-handed pitcher who throws sidearm. She is also a fine hitter who can also play 1st and 3rd.
  • Cristy Riopelle (Danger,Magic), Great hitter, she actually fouled a pitch out of Tiger Stadium, over the roof. Solid catcher with a very good arm.
  • Katy Smythe (Danger,Magic) , Excellent shortstop and solid hitter. She was a backup infielder Team USA in 2001.
  • Ashley Holderman, Plays 1st and pitches. One of the toughest hitters I've seen.
  • Charlene Wright, She is in the NWB HOF as a pitcher. She is extremely durable and a good hitter.

7) What will it take to get a higher profile for women's professional baseball?

We need Little League, USA Baseball and MLB to help. MLB could help just as the NBA has helped the WNBA. We also need a better overall system from Little League to our adult and National Team levels so we can build a women's program. We need to match the boys and men's program that is already in place. I know Australia does this and seems to be working.

8) Should women have their own pro league, should they play in the majors, or should we have both (a women's league and the chance for the best women players to play in the majors?)

I think we need our own league and if some of the players skills develop enough to challenge for a spot in the Major Leagues, that great. There is no reason why women's baseball can't follow in the footsteps of the WNBA.

9) Growing up, did you know about the AAGPBL? How did you feel about the Silver Bullets?

No I didn't know about the AAGPBL, not until the movie came out and then I read a book called "Girls of Summer" by Lois Browne. After I started learning about the league I realized that I had played fastpitch against at least one of them. I had a friend that played for the Silver Bullets which was a great opportunity for her and others but a lot of negatives also had to be dealt with. Guys didn't want to lose to women, they had to face a lack of respect at times because they were breaking into a man's world.

10) Briefly describe your life outside of baseball.

I'm a high school teacher/coach and I've taught for 28 years. I currently teach Phy. Ed., but I taught 13 years in the social studies department. I'm single, I guess i'm married to my job. I coach softball, volleyball and I have also coached basketball and track. I grew up going to the Catholic schools and I went to Western Michigan University and MSU. At WMU I played five sports, 4 yrs. Basketball, 3yrs. Field Hockey, 2yrs. Track, one yr. Golf and one yr. Softball. This was before scholarships. I played 2 yrs. of major fastpitch and 30 yrs. of major slopitch. I've been coaching for about 33 years and I'm also a high school referee for 25 years

11) What advice do you have for young women who want to become pro ballplayers?

Never be afraid to try for the next level. Don't set limits, you never know what you can accomplish unless you try.

12) Any other memories or comments?

I never thought about playing baseball because it just wasn't an option when I was growing up. The only time I gave it a thought was in high school when we wanted a softball team (1972). We didn't have a team and some of us talked about going out for the boys baseball team if they didn't get us a softball team. I'm glad I took advantage of my chance to start playing baseball in 1997. I've always been a huge Tiger fan and I love the game. If baseball had been an option in the 60's and 70's I probably would have played.


Learn More About the AAGPBL!


What do you think of this article?
Leave feedback on our message board.