Last month, the Western Washington University women’s club baseball team traveled down to Sonoma, California, to defend their Baseball For All Women's Club Baseball Championship title. After coming away with another top three finish, the Vikings are looking to take the next step forward in preparation for next year’s tournament.
Founded in February 2023, this past year was the club’s first as an official club at Western.
“It was clear from the first time I spoke with them that they are incredibly passionate about not only the sport, but creating a space that is welcoming to people with all levels of experience in the sport of baseball,” said Caitlin Sommers, assistant director of campus recreation at Western.
The learning curve has been steep, especially with the graduation of club founder Lauren Cockrell in spring 2024, but the experience of fostering the team’s growth has been invaluable, said Team Manager Selma Powers.
“It’s a lot of work and a lot of different things to juggle, but I feel like we’ve learned so much,” Powers said. “We’re really excited to put everything we’ve learned in these first two years together to make it even better next year.”
The team has gained an immense amount of on-field experience. Most new recruits had little to no baseball experience before joining. For some, the first real game they ever played was at the national tournament in Sonoma.
Effie Brickell had zero interest in baseball until she joined the team this winter quarter. Bri Nollette, a player and team treasurer, had recruited her to help with spreadsheets, but Brickell was hooked after her first practice.
“I just kept going, and it kept getting better, and it kept getting more and more fun,” Brickell said. “Now it’s a very important part of my life.”
Bri Nollette and her teammates cheer during the Baseball For All Women's Club Baseball Championships on April 7, 2025. The Vikings’ team spirit was on full display throughout the tournament. // Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Wyss
The team practices once a week, but many improved vastly during the tournament, leading the Vikings to win their third and final game. After a recently scheduled first-ever home game against the University of Washington fell through, it remains a goal of the team to host a home game in the fall to get more in-game experience.
“Things are different at practice than in the actual game, and it’s hard to really prepare people for when the whole thing is going,” Powers said.
A home game would offer an opportunity for the club to draw closer to its Bellingham community.
“We have so many people who want to come out and see us, like friends, family, professors, even people we’ve just met going to the fields,” Powers said.
Hosting a home game isn’t the club’s only aspiration for next year. Like other club sports at Western, women’s baseball is entirely student-led and run, so it is in charge of training and fundraising for itself. The team thinks both areas have room to improve next school year.
Nollette, who will be stepping into a leadership role as a coach, wants to elevate the way the team practices and prepares.
“I want to create a workout plan, and I want to make sure we’re going to the gym twice a week just so it limits injury and we’re stronger to play in the tournament,” Nollette said. “We’re staying consistent, we’re building muscle, we’re making sure that we’re holding each other accountable.”
The club ambitiously fundraises to pay for travel, uniforms and other expenses. A coupon book is currently in the works, joining other fundraising efforts such as a create-your-own bagel stand, a queer speed-dating event, selling Mariners tickets and more.
Increased funding from the Sports Club office has helped, but as a newer club, women’s baseball must still overcome their lack of an alumni network to fund their program.
Paying for practice slots at actual baseball fields rather than Western’s soccer field, new gear purchases and booking flights to next year’s Baseball for All tournament are currently at the top of the club’s wish list.
Certain aspects of the team may change, but the impact being involved in women’s club baseball has had on its players will remain constant.
“It’s really affected me in how I’ve been able to take in how people have really appreciated this experience,” Nollette said. “I really want to be able to give that to them and more.”
For women who have been pushed away from playing baseball all their lives, the chance to play and be part of a team is a priceless opportunity.
“Last year was my first time playing in a baseball game, and I’ve loved baseball my whole life,” Powers said. “That feeling, nothing will ever beat that. Walking out and seeing the freshly mowed grass and hearing the cleats on the concrete walking up, I thought, ‘Holy sh*t, I never could've imagined this.’”
Jonah Billings (he/him) is a sports and recreation reporter for The Front. He is a second-year Western student and is majoring in journalism and history. In addition, he is a member of Western’s varsity cross-country and track and field teams. He enjoys running, reading and spending time with friends. You can reach him at jonahbillings.thefront@gmail.com.
