The Wild Health Genomes (Kentucky) of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) has helped a woman break a once imperishable barrier. Today, a professional baseball team has made Alexis “Scrappy” Hopkins the first-ever female drafted for an on-field position.
Hopkins, selected with the eight pick in the 2022 Atlantic League Pro Showcase Draft, hosted by Prospect Dugout, is expected to become the Genomes’ bullpen catcher after inking a contract with the club.
Moreover, she once doubted that her diamond hopes would ever reach fruition. But today’s end result proved that anything could happen as long as you stay undeniably true to your passions and dreams.
“I’m really excited for this,” Hopkins said in an Atlantic League video in Twitter. “About two or three years ago in one of my college classes, they said to write down a dream of yours. I was going to put down ‘professional baseball player,’ but I actually didn’t because I was like, ‘That’s never going to happen.’ But I guess here we are today, making a dream come alive.”
Hopkins was a high school softball player at Fort Walton Beach, Fla., before playing collegiately at Florida Tech in 2017.
The Atlantic League’s Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 21. Hopkins and the Genomes will travel to the High Point Rockers for a 6:35 p.m. contest.
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/The Sports Scope 