Series description
Kelsie Whitmore is the first female professional baseball player to play in an all-male pro league. She plays outfield and pitches for the Staten Island Ferryhawks in the Atlantic League of professional baseball. Her debut in the Atlantic League was as a pinch runner on 22 April 2022, and on 1 May she became the first woman to start an Atlantic League game, when she played as a left fielder. Just three days later she was the first woman to pitch in an Atlantic League game and on 3 September 2022 Kelsie became the first woman to record a hit in association with Major League Baseball.
Biography
Al Bello is a Staff photographer at Getty Images.
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Kelsie pitches in the bullpen before a game against the Charleston Dirty Birds at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, New York, on 8 July 2022.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie stands with her teammates before their game against the Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark, Central Islip, New York, on 7 July 2022.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie takes batting practice before a game against the Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark, Central Islip, New York, on 6 July 2022.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie works out in the gym at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, New York, on 8 September 2022.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie hit a single in the fourth inning against Chris Cepeda of the Long Island Ducks at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, New York on 3 September 2022. With this, she became the first woman to record a hit in association with Major League Baseball.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie is greeted in a suite by her mother, Mirasol, and father, Scott, after the Staten Island Ferryhawks’ game against the Long Island Ducks.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Kelsie greets Mariel Bautista after his two run home run against the Charleston Dirty Birds at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island, New York, on 8 July 2022.
© Al Bello, United States, 1st Place, Professional competition, Sport, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards