There is no doubt that Franklin County High School freshman Chelsey Hall has big dreams, some which she has already accomplished.
The 15-year-old is a second baseman and pitcher for the Wildcats freshman baseball team.
She has been on the diamond competing against boys since little league and always wanted to make it to the high school level.
“I remember being little and always wanting to get there. I had everybody telling me I couldn’t do it. When I got here it was like, ‘I did it,’” Hall said.
When her name is penciled into the starting lineup for the Wildcats, she joins an exclusive list. We spoke with an IHSAA official in Indianapolis, who was unaware of any other girl playing high school baseball in Indiana.
“I know other girls that really enjoy [baseball]. They don’t want to do that. I guess they do not want to take that step and deal with everything,” Hall said. “I guess I am kind of proud I can show other girls they can do it too.”
She grew up playing baseball with many of her current teammates and her coaches say the team gets along well. While competing teams may be surprised to find her on the field, they usually get more than they bargain for.
Freshman Head Coach Jake Minors said, “She has always played baseball and has always had to prove herself because she is a girl playing with all the boys.”
“I think she is so dang competitive that she just wants to show all of them she belongs there,” Minors said. “By the end of the game, most other teams end up seeing she does deserve to be on the field.”
The daughter of Carl and Michelle Hall, of New Trenton, would like to pursue genetic engineering after high school, but for now the next goal is to make the varsity team.
