The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Former UAB Softball Player is a Baseball Pioneer
7/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Former UAB softball player Anna Kimbrell will make baseball history Friday when she joins the Sonoma Stompers of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs to form the first female battery in professional baseball history.
Kimbrell, a catcher for the U.S. Women’s National Team and participant in the last four Women’s Baseball World Cups, and pitcher Kelsie Whitmore will suit up at People’s Home Equity Ballpark in Sonoma, Calif. to take on the Pittsburg Diamonds.
The Fort Mill, S.C. native had a standout career at UAB from 2011-2013 playing softball as a catcher but has always wanted the opportunity to play baseball for a long time.
She took to Twitter to make the announcement of her joining the Stompers this past Thursday and posted, “Excited to announce that I will be joining @Stacy Piagno & @KelsieWhitmore w/ the @SonomaStompers #dreamsdocometrue.”
“It is absolutely fitting that Anna is going to be one of the women to make baseball history,” UAB softball head coach Marla Townsend said. “She has finished her college eligibility and continues to represent the United States on the USWNT baseball team. She’s a great role model for young girls playing softball or baseball, showing them that there are opportunities for playing following their college career.”
The Sonoma Stompers took a historical step this year when the team brought in Whitmore and Stacy Piagno to introduce women into professional baseball.
First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST and fans can listen live online at www.sonomastompers.com.
