Jade Maldonado: Getting Her Shot

Jade Maldonado is just like every other 16-year-old girl, except that she plays on the Pierson/Bridgehampton JV Baseball Team. While this may seem strange, it’s all Maldonado knows. She played t-ball and little league baseball growing up and switching to softball wasn’t on option for her.

Maldonado grew up surrounded by baseball. Her father and grandfather had both played when they were younger and the Yankees were always on TV or the center of the conversation.

From an early age she looked up to Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in the MLB, because of their similar stories. She noted how they share the story of breaking boundaries in baseball.

Like Robinson, Maldonado’s road hasn’t been easy. There has been road block after road block. She found that she didn’t have support from a lot of the people around her aside from her friends.

“It wasn’t just my teammates but also coaches and parents that told me I couldn’t do it. It was always there. Everyone doubted me, and that’s been really hard.” Maldonado said, “I always was in love with baseball so for people to tell me I couldn’t play, it was hard for me to understand. I tried to be strong and put on a facade but it was really hard.”

Maldonado had a hard time finding her footing in the sport as she grew older. In middle school, she was granted a tryout to the team after she had to beg for it. She worked just as hard as the boys and even performed better than a few of them but they made the team and she didn’t.

Photo Credit: Christine Heeren (at Baseball Heaven)

The rejection only fueled her fire. She began training with private trainers and instructors, she even played on a travel baseball team. Once she got to high school at Longwood she tried out for their JV Baseball team. The tryouts were long and intense.

Maldonado believed that she had improved but despite her best efforts she didn’t make the team. She would continue not to make the team at Longwood through her sophomore year.

Then suddenly the tide changed. Maldonado’s mother accepted a teaching position at Bridgehampton and the district allowed Maldonado to attend school there.

Maldonado has finally been given the opportunity she’s been waiting for. Thanks to varsity coach Sean Crowley and JV coach Jonathan Schwartz, Jade will be playing with the JV Baseball team at Bridgehampton.

So far, she’s received an overwhelming positive response from her teammates. Her coach has said that she’s being treated well by her them and that everyone has been accepting of her.

“Yes–at the first practice they all introduced themselves and were accepting of me. They didn’t have a problem.” Maldonado said of her new teammates. “Since then, we’ve been growing closer and becoming better friends. Also, they look out for me and make sure I am comfortable.”

Jade will be an inspiration to girls for years to come. She will empower them to follow their dreams and never let anyone stand in their way.

“Never give up. It’s always gonna be hard but as soon as you see the look on people’s faces and the difference you’re making, it makes it worth while.”