Melissa Mayeux is a 16-year-old French girl who just made history. As of Sunday, she's the first-ever woman to become eligible to play Major League Baseball.
Today MLB.com reported that Mayeux, a shortstop on the French U-18 junior national team, "became the first known female baseball player to be added to MLB's international registration list." So come July 2, an MLB team could sign her.
According to MLB.com, "anyone can technically be added to the list," but usually it's only those with real potential to get signed who get registered, as Mayeux did. However, MLB.com doesn't believe she'll get signed just yet. Mayeux doesn't seem too concerned. "I would like very much to continue playing baseball in France until I'm 18 years old," Mayeux told MLB.com, "and then have the ability to leave for university or another opportunity abroad. I'd like to stay in baseball as long as possible."
The MLB has proven to be one of the more progressive organizations in major league sports. In July 2014, Billy Bean, the only living openly gay former MLB player, became the League's Ambassador for Inclusion to spark important conversations about LGBTQ issues. So, it's not totally surprising that the MLB is also open to drafting its first female player. [MLB]
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