Chasing a Dream at 38: My Women's Pro Baseball League Tryout Story
- Danielle Nicholas
- Aug 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6
At 38 years old, mom of three, I was loading the car and chasing a dream, flying out for the Women's Pro Baseball League tryouts. Most people would say it’s too late, that life should have moved on. But deep down, I knew this was my time to step up, no matter what tried to get in my way.
And like always when you’re chasing a mission life tried to throw me off. The AC at home broke, my kid called from school sick, and I had to scramble to even let my dad pick her up. By the time we got to the airport, we had 2 minutes TWO to check our bags or we would’ve missed the flight. But nothing was stopping me.
We landed in Baltimore, grabbed the rental, and found dinner… only to realize the restaurant was attached to a hookah bar . Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate smoke, it gives me a massive headache. So there we were, eating takeout in a Walmart parking lot at midnight, laughing at how things always seem to go this way. Then it was back to the hotel, time to rest.
The morning of tryouts, my stomach was tight with nerves. I just kept praying, “Lord, I give You these nerves.” And He showed up the anxiety eased. Breakfast burrito down, hydration in hand, and my hype playlist blasting in the car… it was go time.
The moment I walked into check-in, it hit me. GAME TIME. Something switched inside me. I felt peace. I felt home.
I pulled on the shirt and hat they gave us, and pride surged through me. This is HERSTORY. Women’s sports are shifting, and I was standing in the middle of it. I warmed up, locked in (fueled by DRIVEN www.naturallydrivensupplements.com), and reminded myself, I belong here.
About 50–60 of us stepped onto the field, and right away my neck locked up. Pain shot down my shoulder blade, something that usually takes me out for days. I sat in the dugout, closed my eyes, and prayed: “Lord, I give You this pain. Heal me. If it’s Your will, let it leave before it’s my turn.”
When I stood up to unpack my gear, I paused to take it all in, the coaches, the staff, the women around me from all over the world, each of us there for one reason: BASEBALL. Together, we were about to make history and pave the way for the next generation of girls to play Major League Baseball.
Justine Siegal (founder of Baseball For all and co-founder of WPBL) started speaking. Everyone’s eyes were locked on her listening, amazed at what she has done for women’s sports. Then the coaches introduced themselves, absolute stars and legends. It was humbling to have them leading us. To name the ones I can remember…Alex Hugo, Roy Hallenbeck, Jemile Weeks, Alli Schroder, Elizabeth Benn, Tamera Holmes, Amanda Gianelloni and Nasti (I cant recall her real name lol)
Thank you all for your time and what you’re doing for the league!
Alright, time to get the party started and get on the field!
First drill: base running. Home to first-I clocked second fastest in my group , missing first place by just .4 seconds. I heard the scouts and coaches make the comments "WOW, I love that speed. Whoa, I like that!" The fire was lit.
And BTW when I stepped on that field, the pain was GONE. Loosened. Healed. GOD IS REAL, and He hears our prayers.
Defense was next. I sprinted out to center field and felt alive. Judging balls, getting under them, making perfect throws, it was like muscle memory. Smooth. Fast. Explosive. It felt like being 18 again. One of the coaches said to me "You've played before, I can tell by your foot work and how you move to the ball! Great work!"
And then I met Brittany, my outfield partner, my hype-woman. 22 years old, pure heart for the game, and a total warrior. She plays with one hand missing fingers and still throws with that hand. Superstar! Loved meeting her and excited to watch her story unfold in this league!
Batting was last. Cage warm-ups, bunting, then live on the big field. In the on-deck circle, I kept telling myself: “Connection. Connection. Connection.” I stepped in and trusted my body. CRACK. Solid hits. Every one but one, a foul ball. The foul that nailed my shin just fired me up more. I got back in and ripped another.
Standing there, watching women of all ages, all walks of life, all chasing the same dream, it gave me chills. None of us let fear of hearing “you didn’t make it” stop us from stepping up. That’s power.
At the end, they told us: “Tonight, you’ll get an email. Moving forward, or cut.”
The high was unreal. Nick and I wandered through Wegmans (because why not) and grabbed a burger, I iced my shin, he worked out (because of course he did), and I sat with my coffee, soaking in the moment.
Later, dinner at Sweet Fire Donas. 9:15—no email.
11:15,I refreshed. And there it was.
“Thank you for participating… you were not selected to move forward.”
I looked at Nick. “I didn’t make it.”
His eyes went wide. “WHAT!? You looked amazing, you SHINED.”
I sat for a few minutes. Then said, “Let’s book flights home.” My girls had been calling crying every night, missing me. And if I wasn’t in the running anymore, it was time to get back to them. We found a 6:05 a.m. flight. It was 1 a.m. We pulled an all-nighter, flew out and made it just in time before storms delayed every flight after us. God’s timing, again.
It didn’t fully hit me until Sunday. And when it did, it crushed me. I gave my all. I couldn’t stop asking why. Why didn’t I move forward? Why wasn’t it me?
But then I remembered. I’ve been praying for God’s will, not mine. HIS plan, not mine. Questioning it means I’m not trusting it.
So I shifted. I became grateful. Grateful for the shot, for the experience, for the chance to step into history. I don’t have to understand God’s plan, I just have to trust it.
Will I be back next year? Only if He shows me that’s the path, like He did this year.
Will I keep playing? You better believe it. Ladies, let’s start a sandlot team right here. I’m serious. Message me if you’re in.
Grab your own tub of DRIVEN here www.naturallydrivensupplements.com
Follow my journey here https://www.instagram.com/getgrittywithdanielle?igsh=MXNsdGM0eW5jMWR3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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