Former youth baseball star Mo’ne Davis to play SOFTBALL at Hampton University after once becoming the first girl to pitch a shutout at the Little League World Series in 2014
- Davis, 17, has announced her intention to play softball at Hampton University
- As a 13-year old with South Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, Davis became the first Little League player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated back in 2014
- She appeared in commercials, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the 2014 World Series, and now her jersey now resides in the Hall of Fame
- A three-sport star at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Davis had considered playing college basketball, but will instead play softball as an infielder
- While girls have played baseball at the high school level in the United States, the vast majority who played at the little league level eventually move on to softball
After becoming the first girl to pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series back in 2014, now 17-year-old Mo’ne Davis has announced her intention to play softball at Hampton University.
As her parents told The Philadelphia Tribune, Davis will attend the private historically black university in Virginia, which she chose over Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Southern University, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Pennsylvania because she’s interested in the school’s communications program.
While rocketing to fame as a 13-year old with South Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, Davis became the first Little League player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. She went on to appear in commercials, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the 2014 World Series, and her jersey now resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Mo’ne Davis (pictured, left, in June as a 17-year old) will attend the private historically black university in Virginia, which she chose over Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Southern University, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Pennsylvania because she’s interested in the school’s communications program. While rocketing to fame as a 13-year old with South Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, Davis became the first Little League player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. She went on to appear in commercials, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the 2014 World Series, and her jersey now resides in the Hall of Fame
Mo’ne Davis in action during the Hollywood Stars celebrity softball game in 2016
While many girls have played baseball at the high school level in the United States, the vast majority who played at the little league level eventually move on to softball in grades 9 through 12.
A three-sport star at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Davis had previously considered playing college basketball, but will instead play softball at the NCAA level as she did in high school.
Interestingly, she will be doing so as a middle infielder and a not a softball pitcher, who are required to throw underhanded from a full windup. As a little leaguer, Davis played shortstop but was better known as a pitcher for her 70-mph fastball.
As Hampton coach Angela Nicholson told the Hampton Daily Press, Davis isn’t looking to dominate the spotlight in college as she did as an eighth-grader. In fact, Nicholson said, Davis attended Hampton’s softball camp and downplayed her fame.
Then-Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Mo’ne Davis attend the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2015 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on July 16, 2015 in Westwood
‘She just wanted to be like everybody else, nothing different or special,’ Nicholson said. ‘Although everybody caught on to who she was. The little kids at camp were all taking selfies with her.
‘But she worked her tail off like every kid and had fun. And truly, she looked good.’
Nicholson does expect her to succeed at either shortstop or second base.
‘As you could imagine, she has great hands and a great transfer,’ Nicholson said. ‘She plays like a boy.
‘Hitting-wise, she already has a nice lift on her ball and understands the concept of gap-to-gap. She has great mechanics and she’s fast. She’s very athletic.’
Nicholson is also hopeful that Davis’s presence can help ‘promote Hampton University .’
‘… her status will come along with her,’ Nicholson said. ‘The press will come along with her, whether we want it or not. We’re blessed to have her and we’re excited.’
Mo’ne Davis #3 of Pennsylvania waits to pitch to a Nevada batter during the United States division game at the Little League World Series tournament at Lamade Stadium on August 20, 2014 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania