Freking is first female in five years playing in Little League World Series
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA. — Maddy Freking’s left foot points back toward home plate as she assumes her stance inside a mesh batting cage on the grounds of Little League headquarters. The bat head swivels slightly as she stands tall, with that angled left foot helping her stay square to the pitch when it comes.
Details such as that are what Freking focuses on.
Another one — the long, blond ponytail poking out from her helmet as she rips liners into the netting — may pique fans’ interest over the next week or so.
Freking is the starting second baseman on a baseball team from Coon Rapids, Minn., that will represent the Midwest Region in the Little League World Series, which starts Thursday.
She’ll become just the 19th girl in history to play in the 72-year history of the Little League World Series, and the first since 2014, the year Mo’ne Davis pitched her way onto the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Minnesota will play opening day against a team from Bowling Green, Kentucky, representing Great Lakes.
“Some people say, ‘Woah,’ ” Freking said of the reaction she’s received. “Some think it’s cool, some not so much.”
Freking seems indifferent to any added attention. She doesn’t like having her picture taken, she said. And in interviews, she’s concise and to the point — like a lot of 12-and-under Little League players.
Still, Freking and Minnesota manager Greg Bloom have formulated a plan of action as the attention ramps up.
“She’s done well so far,” Bloom said. “We told her if it gets to be too much, just let us know, us coaches, and we’ll try to tell people to take a break. But I’ve warned her to expect to get a lot of attention. This doesn’t happen very often.”
What’s also become somewhat routine is Freking’s excellence on the diamond. Bloom called her the best defensive second baseman he’s seen. “She’s a vacuum,” he said. Freking, who also plays volleyball and basketball, said baseball is her favourite sport because of the travelling she gets to do.
Freking has a simple rationale for sticking with baseball instead of softball.
“I feel like it’s easier than softball because I’ve been playing it for longer,” Freking said, “and I don’t really feel like changing.”
She’s a Minnesota Twins fan whose favourite player is slugger Miguel Sano, and she idolizes Jackie Robinson because he broke baseball’s colour barrier.
Another name on Freking’s list of role models is Davis, who will play softball at Hampton University in the spring. She became an overnight media sensation in 2014, leading a team from Philadelphia with her powerful pitching.
Does that kind of attention appeal to Freking?
“Not so much,” she said.