Julie Croteau (born December 4, 1970) is an American former college and professional baseball player who has left an indelible mark on the sport. She is recognized as the first woman to regularly play men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) baseball, as well as the first woman to coach men’s NCAA Division I baseball and one of the first women to play in a Major League Baseball-sanctioned league.
Julie Croteau grew up in Prince William County, Virginia, with parents Nancy and Ray Croteau, both lawyers. From a young age, Croteau displayed a love for baseball, participating in tee-ball, Little League Baseball, and progressing to the Babe Ruth League and Major League baseball. She even witnessed her first baseball game at the hallowed ground of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
Croteau’s determination to challenge gender barriers in baseball became evident during her high school years at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Virginia. She audaciously tried out for both the junior varsity and varsity baseball teams, making the junior varsity team as a bench player during her ninth-grade year. However, she faced obstacles when it came to making the varsity team, leading her and her parents to file a sex discrimination lawsuit against the school in 1988. Unfortunately, they lost the case, with the court ruling that she had received a fair tryout and that the decision to cut her was unrelated to gender.
Undeterred, Julie Croteau’s passion for baseball led her to join the semi-professional Fredericksburg Giants baseball team of the Virginia Baseball League, managed by Mike Zitz. Despite facing adversity and being frequently hit with pitches in her first season, Croteau persevered and played several successful seasons of semi-professional baseball for the Giants.
In college, Julie Croteau continued to break barriers by making the men’s baseball team as a freshman walk-on at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. In her debut for the St. Mary’s Seahawks, playing first base, Croteau went 0 for 3 with two groundouts against the Spring Garden College Bobcats as the Seahawks lost 4-1. Although her freshman year batting average was .222, the team faced a challenging season with a 1-20-1 win-loss-tie record.
One of the most groundbreaking moments in Julie Croteau’s baseball career came in 1994 when she played for the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets in their inaugural season. This marked Croteau’s entry into a Major League Baseball-sanctioned league, where she faced semi-professional male competition. Despite the difficulties of this transition, Croteau demonstrated her unwavering determination. Although she had a batting average of .078 during her time with the Silver Bullets, her contributions as a female player within a male-dominated sport truly showcased her resilience and talent.
Following her stint with the Colorado Silver Bullets, Julie Croteau continued her baseball journey with the Maui Stingrays of the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. This experience further solidified the impact she made on the sport and expanded her reach as one of the pioneering women in professional baseball.
Today, Julie Croteau’s dedication to the advancement of women in baseball is evident in her coaching career. She became one of the first women to coach men’s NCAA Division I baseball, making significant contributions to the sport at the collegiate level. Croteau’s passion for coaching and her commitment to breaking gender barriers have left a lasting influence on aspiring athletes, inspiring future generations of women to pursue their dreams and defy societal expectations.
Julie Croteau’s impact is not confined to her playing and coaching career alone. Her baseball glove and photo are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. This recognition speaks to her significance in the history of women in baseball and the lasting mark she has left on the sport.
In conclusion, Julie Croteau’s journey in baseball has been marked by resilience, determination, and a fervent dedication to breaking gender barriers. From her lawsuit challenging discrimination in high school to her groundbreaking achievements in professional baseball, Croteau has blazed a trail for women in the sport. Her influence extends beyond her playing and coaching career and continues to inspire and empower women in baseball.