At the 2025 Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, there has been no shortage of Girls with Game® stepping up to the plate in every aspect of the tournament. From the field to the dugout to behind the plate, there’s a female player, umpire, coach, interpreter, and team host, who are all part of what makes Williamsport such a unique experience.
While there are even more inspirational Girls with Game who make this tournament possible, each of these five females brings her own story, her own reason for being here, and her own definition of what it means to be a Girl with Game. Together, they show how baseball is more than a game and stronger when everyone has a place.
Traci Duez – 2023, ’25 LLBWS Umpire
Growing up on the diamond, Traci Duez often saw her father calling balls and strikes from behind the plate. While umpiring was not something she thought she herself would one day do, she started to try it out in college.
What started out as casual involvement for Duez slowly turned into a passion. After a conversation with her company’s Chief Financial Officer – whose child played Little League® and encouraged her to volunteer – Duez decided to take umpiring more seriously. She committed herself to perfecting her craft, honing her mechanics, and growing in her knowledge of the game. That dedication paid off when she was selected to be only the eighth female to umpire at the LLBWS in 2023. Now she is back in Williamsport, becoming the first woman ever invited back for a second assignment.
For Duez, the honor is about skill.
“Being labeled as the ‘female’ umpire makes it sound like a token,” said Duez. “It takes away from the professionalism of the job and the real talent one has.”
Her presence on the field still carries meaning. Duez continues to give back to the program because she hopes to widen the door for those who will follow her.
“I umpire because I recognized that, in my life, I wanted to have more confidence. I wanted to have more courage. I wanted to be more decisive. I wanted to be more self-forgiving when I messed things up,” said Duez.
Duez acknowledges the pressure that comes with being a trailblazer. While she feels the responsibility to be excellent, she continues to step onto the field so that one day, the next female won’t have to be excellent, she will just need to want the opportunity.
Duez’s advice is simple: “Master your craft and don’t take shortcuts on your passion.
For Duez, every call and every game is more than officiating. It is paying it forward for the next generation of Girls with Game behind the plate.
Miki Aso – Team Host
Miki Aso first began volunteering at the LLBWS in small, but meaningful ways. Fluent in Japanese, she started by helping the Japan Region teams with whatever they needed, even something as simple as bringing them a rice cooker to make them feel at home. After feeling the impact she could have on the experience of these teams, she then started to explore how else she could contribute.
One year, a LLBWS Team Host noticed her efforts and suggested that she volunteer to become one the next year. Having lived in Europe, Asia, and the United States, she understands the importance of culture. For her, each Little League Baseball World Series is not only about what happens on the field, but it’s also about bringing together languages, traditions, and culture.
“Every year means a new team,” said Aso. “It is about learning a new culture, meeting new people, and being a part of this journey.”
Her advice for anyone considering being a Team Host is rooted in the value of teamwork.
“Always put the team first and learn the rules and regulations as much as you can beforehand,” said Aso. “Remember that you are also a part of the team.”
For Aso, being a Team Host is more than the operational part of the role, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels supported and valued.
Monica Arcuri – 2025 Australia Region Player
Arcuri’s path to the LLBWS did not necessarily start with a bat in her hands. In fact, her first sport was Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Then, one day, a local league in Australia was holding tryouts, so she decided to give baseball a chance, and the rest is history.
The spark Monica now has each time she steps onto the field can be traced back generations. Her grandfather was playing in Japan when he took Monica’s father to the batting cages as a child, developing his love for the game and inspiring him to join a team upon his return to Australia. In those moments, the multi-generational passion for baseball began.
“I know some people say girls can’t play, but I don’t believe that,” said Arcuri. “I want to show the girls that even if you are shy, it’s better to step out there and show them that girls can play so that the sport continues to grow.”
Arcuri has found camaraderie in her community back home in Australia, where she enjoys spending time with the other girls who play baseball. There are all-female teams, all sticking together and supporting each other at every practice and every game.
As the 24th female to ever play at the LLBWS, Monica has also turned to former LLBWS female participants for motivation, including Mo’ne Davis, the trailblazing pitcher who took Williamsport by storm with her Mid-Atlantic Region teammates in 2014.
For Arcuri, competing at the biggest stage in youth baseball means more than wearing her country’s colors. It is about sending a message to all the girls at home.
“Being here shows the girls in Australia that we can play, too,” said Arcuri. “I hope that I am helping them find the confidence to play. Now is the chance for girls to step out and try it. Don’t
let the boys push you around and don’t listen to the noise that others say about girls in baseball.”
Her mom’s advice has been consistent throughout each stage of play – stay relaxed and don’t tense up. That calm approach is what helped Arcuri achieve one of her favorite moments in Williamsport – recording her first hit of the tournament.
While their time competing at the LLBWS has come to an end, representing Australia at such a high level still feels a little surreal for Arcuri.
“It means a lot to me since I feel like a lot of people didn’t believe that there’d be a girl here,” said Arcuri. “It’s a little bit shocking for everyone, and I still find it shocking, but it means a lot to me, and I hope that I’m doing good and that I can show girls they can play, too.”
Anna Rotreklova – 2025 Europe and Africa Region Coach
Anna Rotreklova, 2025 LLBWS Europe and Africa Region coach, never expected coaching baseball to change her life. What started as a small role quickly turned into not only a passion, but a second family on and off the field, too.
Her favorite moments as a coach are not just on the field, they are the years that follow. She loves catching up with players after they graduate from Little League, hearing about where life has taken them, and knowing that she played a small part in their development.
“Coaching has introduced me to many people,” said Rotreklova. “My favorite part is meeting new coaches and players and seeing how those relationships continue after the season ends.”
For Rotreklova, Girls with Game means hard work.
“I think women have it harder when it comes to earning the respect of others and earning their spot on the field and in the dugout sometimes,” said Rotreklova. “But the hard work pays off.”
Having lived in Europe, where baseball opportunities for girls are more normalized, she hopes that Girls with Game becomes second nature around the world.
“When you hear Girls with Game, it should be an automatic thought,” Rotreklova said. “Everyone should have the same opportunities and the same chances.”
For Rotreklova, coaching is not just about developing players on the field, it’s about creating a space where everyone feels like they belong, especially the girls.
Nikola Schwarzingerova – 2025 Europe and Africa Region Interpreter
Nikola Schwarzingerova’s baseball story began somewhat by accident. When her younger brother was sick and had to miss practice, she filled in for him; and it did not take long before she fell in love with the game herself.
Now, years later, she has taken on new roles in the sport: not only as a coach, but also as an interpreter for the team from Czechia in Williamsport. For her, it is a chance to be a part of the experience from multiple angles, and to share in the excitement of the tournament with players and families from around the world.
Her favorite part? The atmosphere.
“I love how everyone cheers for everyone,” said Schwarzingerova. “It really feels like the world is coming together here.”
The sense of belonging is special to Schwarzingerova because growing up, she was always the only girl on her baseball team. So, when she hears “Girls with Game,” it means a lot to her. It means that everyone can participate.
Schwarzingerova knows that for many girls, stepping onto the baseball diamond, sitting in the dugout with their teammates, or being a part of the team in any way can feel intimidating. She feels being an interpreter on the biggest stage in youth sports is a great opportunity to show other girls that they belong, and to help grow the space for girls in baseball.
“I think it’s very important because there are not too many girls here and making them feel welcome here helps a lot,” said Schwarzingerova. “There’s nothing wrong about playing baseball as a girl, so I think it’s important.”
Schwarzingerova’s advice to young girls playing baseball is to enjoy it.
“Don’t stress about being the only girl out there,” said Schwarzingerova. “Just have fun.”
Little League continues to find ways to inspire, welcome, and develop the girls and women involved at every level, from the players on the field to the coaches, officials, and volunteers who make the experience possible each season. Little League has committed itself to prioritizing the funding, research, and resources necessary to increase female inclusion and opportunity within the program. To learn more about Little League’s strategic efforts around female inclusion, visit LittleLeague.org/GirlsWithGame.