For Naomi Ryan, who made her debut on the USA Baseball Women’s National Team in 2023, baseball has not only served as a way for her to connect with her brothers and father, but also as an opportunity for her to grow the game in the Black community.
“I was always at the field practicing with my brother. Since I was 10 years old, playing catch with him or hitting in the cages with him. Those experiences built up and really fortified that I wanted to play baseball,” said Ryan. “Now I think it’s important to give back and be an advocate for others, because I want to be able to inspire and show people that they can do whatever they want to do.”
After graduating from playing for Central Chesterfield (Va.) LL and Bethlehem LL (Richmond, Va.) as a kid, Ryan played varsity baseball at Miller School of Albemarle. In 2023, Ryan played in four games as a member of Team USA, having big offensive moments against Korea, Canada, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Named to the all-tournament team as first baseman in 2024, she made big contributions in the five games she played, including adding two RBIs in the Gold Medal game against Japan.
Off the field, Ryan finds ways to give back to the community, partnering with community centers and youth leagues to increase participation in youth baseball. Most recently, she worked with USA Baseball to bring a Homegrown Baseball Clinic to Central Virginia. More than 50 youth athletes joined Ryan at her former high school with Hall of Famer Billy Wagner to learn the fundamentals of the game.
As part of Little League’s Black History Month celebration, Little League sat down with Ryan for a “Six Innings Conversation” to learn more about her journey from Little League to Team USA and to offer advice for the next generation of female athletes.
First Inning: What is a lesson that you learned from your years playing Little League, either from a coach or a parent, that you have carried into your years playing with Team USA?
I would say probably just to take it one step at a time. You know, at the beginning, it’s like it’s just a game. I mean, you started because you were having fun. I just try to remember why I started it, and just continue to play the game that I love.
Second Inning: What are the benefits of being a multi-sport youth athlete?
It can open you up to learning how to be on a team. Both of my sports were team sports. With basketball, you really have to learn how to work with each other, whether it’s running plays or communicating with each other, and that comes in handy on the baseball field, too. So, I think you can learn a lot of skills that can translate to one or the other. And, honestly, just life skills, too, from how to balance two sports at a time, plus school, and having a social and family life.
Third Inning: You have mentioned that you were the only person who looked like you in high school or travel baseball. When you hear the quote “if you can see her, you can be her,” what does it make you think of?
I just want to inspire girls who look like me. It’s hard to strive for something when you haven’t seen it being done or if it hasn’t been done by someone who looks like you. Being able to represent strength and confidence and other things like that can help other girls who look like me do things that they didn’t know they could do.
Fourth Inning: When you’re not playing, you are working with youth athletes at camps and clinics. Why is giving back to the younger generation important to you and the growth in youth participation?
Starting young builds that foundation. Working with youth athletes is especially good to build that foundation and show them that they can do things that maybe they haven’t seen a lot of people do, making sure that they feel supported through all of it. Giving back is something that’s fulfilling to me. You know, just seeing whether you’re working with someone on a drill or teaching them a new skill, you get to see them understand it and get better at it, and that’s a great feeling.
Fifth Inning: With females now playing baseball at every level from Little League to the Women’s Professional Baseball League, what advice would you give to a young female who is just starting their journey on the diamond?
Just trust what you’ve been working on. If you’ve been working hard, just lean back on that, have confidence in what you’re doing or what you’re saying, and lean on the other people around you. There are going to be people who are going to object to what you’re doing, but continue to stay within yourself and trust the people around you.
Sixth Inning: If a friend is planning to sign their kid up to play youth baseball or softball and asks you, “Why Little League,” what would your response be?
Signing your kid up for Little League allows them to fail and learn from it. You’re going to fail, but with the necessary support behind you to help build you up. They’re not going to tear you down. They’re going to build you right back up, and I think being in an environment where they push you but also are supportive is really important, especially at a young age.
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