PHOENIX, Ariz. - They lace up their cleats, zip up their pants and throw on their jerseys with "BPA" emblazoned in bright yellow font across their chest just like their teammates. They buckle their shin guards, slide their chest protectors over their heads and pull their masks on just like any other catcher. There's just one slight difference between them and the other 1,000 athletes in the 2017 14U National Team Championships West.
They're girls.
Maycen Gibbs and Jamie MacKay both play behind the dish for BPA 14U, a team hailing from California. The two have been playing the sport since t-ball, with their fathers playing big roles in their starting and eventual continuation of playing baseball, despite most young girls normally transitioning to softball.
"I started playing when I was young a lot younger, and I just fell in love with it and never switched over," Gibbs said. "I just kept competing at this level and it's really fun."
Participating in a sport dominated by men, the two love the game, but don't have many female figures to look up to. However, they do have one group they admire: the USA Baseball Women's National Team. Last summer, MacKay and Gibbs attended a development camp put on by the Women's National Team in California.
"Last summer, I did a camp they have and it turned out to be a lot of fun," MacKay said. "I really hope to try out for them one day because they inspire me to keeping going."
And keep on going they will.
Neither Gibbs nor MacKay have any intention of hanging up their cleats after graduating from high school. With their sights set on college ball, both hope to gain exposure through playing in travel ball tournaments just like the National Team Championships West.
"As a scout, gender doesn't matter to me," said Steve Butler, a national team scout and once coach for the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) and 15U National Team Trials. The ultimate goal is to bring home a gold for the United States, and whether they're a boy or a girl, if they can help us win gold, they'll take the field for us."
Confidence has been a key factor for the girls, as their road to the tournament hasn't been paved smooth. Both have experienced hardships, whether it be from teammates, coaches or opponents. MacKay offered a piece of advice to younger girls who are struggling to keep going:
"Never give up, and don't let other people push you around," MacKay said. "Do what you love and stick with it, because I did, and I love coming here and playing in tournaments like these because it's a ton of fun."