Because I Love Baseball

Naomi Ryan is captain of the Miller School of Albemarle baseball team and a member of the women’s National Team.

When you're the only girl on the Division I state championship baseball team, the question inevitably comes up: "Why not play softball?" Naomi Ryan has a simple answer to that often well-meaning, sometimes tiresome question: “Because I love baseball.”

And baseball, it seems, loves her too.

This spring, Naomi helped the Miller School win the VISAA Division I State Championship—the first in school history. In addition to being a captain on that historic team, she is also one of the youngest and best players on the USA Baseball Women’s National Team, helping the United States lead the world in a sport few people even know exists.

Her journey began with a closed door. In middle school, Naomi was told she could try out for her local baseball team—but when she showed up the first day, she quickly learned the invitation wasn’t sincere. “They were just saying yes to be nice.” 

Committed to pursuing her passion, Naomi set her sights on Miller School of Albemarle. She knew the team had a stellar reputation. Additionally, she knew the Mavericks are coached by one of the MLB’s greatest relief pitchers–Billy Wagner. She took a leap of faith, and set up a meeting with Coach Wagner.

After her meeting with the legendary coach outside his office looking over Farina Field, Wagner offered her the opportunity to play. He didn’t guarantee anything but treated her with the same respect as every other player on his team. 

Photo: Lily Pallante

Naomi remarked: “Coach Wagner never hesitated. He said that he would give me a hat and an opportunity.” 

Unlike her middle school experience, Coach Wagner’s invitation was sincere.

From there, Naomi didn’t just make the team—she earned the respect of teammates, opponents, and coaches alike. She’s now a two-way standout: a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, a team captain, and a consistent contributor to a roster full of Division I recruits. Wagner says Naomi might be the easiest player he’s ever coached. “She understands the game in a way that most young male athletes do not.”

Her national profile began to rise when she joined the USA Baseball Women’s National Team as its youngest member. In last year’s Women’s Baseball World Cup, she started four of five games and delivered critical performances—driving in both runs in a 2–0 win over Mexico to secure a perfect 5–0 record in the opening round.

She also led Team USA to a silver medal in 2024 and was named All-Tournament first baseman at the World Cup.

At Miller, her impact is just as profound. She was the only returning captain in 2025, and, according to Wagner, the heartbeat of the team.

Naomi’s goals in baseball are big. She hopes to earn a scholarship to play Division 1 baseball, and then to become the first woman to make it into the Major Leagues. In order to stay on track to do this, she has surrounded herself with family, friends, and coaches who believe in her. 

One of those people is her coach. “When she came to me asking to play, she said, ‘I want to be the first woman to play in the big leagues,’” Wagner recalled. “And I said, ‘I’m not going to be the guy to tell you no. But I’m not going to tell you it’s going to be easy.’”

Naomi Ryan knows it won’t be. But that hasn’t stopped her yet. She is, after all, a Maverick—independent, unconventional, and unwilling to follow someone else’s playbook. She doesn’t play baseball to prove a point—she plays because she can’t imagine doing anything else. Naomi Ryan’s path is a reminder that when you love something deeply, there’s no limit to where it can take you.

We sat down with Naomi this summer at Farina Field to learn more about her journey. Enjoy this in-depth interview. 

Let’s start with the annoying question you probably like the least. Why baseball? Why not play softball?

I play baseball because I love it. That’s it. I grew up around baseball—both my dad and brother played—so it was all I knew. Once I was able to start, I just never stopped.

You helped the Mavericks win their first D1 VISAA State Championship this spring. What was it like to be the captain of this historic team?

Being a captain on this team was an honor. Every single person on the team was pushing for one common goal and playing selfless baseball. When you have people on a team like that, you’re bound to do something great.

How did you first get into baseball?

I first got into baseball by watching both my dad and brother play. My parents started me off in Little League T-ball as soon as I was eligible to play, and I haven't stopped since.

How did you find Miller School?

When my brother played in high school, he went to Benedictine and played against Miller School many times. Once I was in 7th grade, I had to start looking for schools that would allow a girl to play baseball. We had been declined by a school in Richmond. My parents remembered Miller, and around the same time, Rosie’s dad recommended that we consider it. So I went to an open house and was able to meet Coach Wagner. I asked him if he’d allow me to play baseball. After hearing his response, I immediately knew where I wanted to go.

What was Coach Wagner’s first reaction when you told him you wanted to play for his team?

Coach Wagner asked if I could play baseball. My dad and I replied yes. Coach Wagner said he’d “give me a hat and an opportunity,” and he continues to do that.

Photo credit: Lily Pallante

You are a two-time member of the USA Women’s National Team and helped Team USA win the silver medal last summer. Tell us about playing for Team USA.

I tried out in the summer of 2023 when I had just turned 16. I was very nervous since I was one of the youngest players there. But once I was told I had made the team, I was able to loosen up. The past two years playing with Team USA have been amazing. I’ve been able to make such a special bond with my teammates since we’ve been through many similar situations. At some point in time, all of us have been the only girl on a team.

The Japanese team has dominated the women’s baseball space for years, and we really set our sights on winning the Gold Medal. In the last World Cup, we finished fourth. This time we beat Japan for the first time in twelve years in pool play but lost to them in the Championship. Being able to represent the United States on an international level has been my goal since I found out there was a Women’s Baseball Team. It will always be my dream and is something I continue to be proud of.

Photo: Lily Pallante

You are one of the most athletic students at Miller School. What is your daily training schedule?

My training schedule differs depending on the time of year and whether I’m in-season or not. Right now, I’m lifting three days a week at Adam’s Performance in Richmond. It’s a really cool space that focuses on throwing athletes. I try to get my lifts in earlier in the day, around 7 AM. Then I throw six days a week, with one off day. I also get some conditioning days in and try to coordinate them with my lifts and bullpens. I usually end the day with stretching.

During school, we lift and run (a lot) as a team as part of our fall and winter schedule. We usually do a throwing program in the winter for pitchers, too.

In the winter, my lifting schedule was similar but with four days a week.

Miller School has some of the best female athletes in the country playing for various teams. Does this help motivate you?

This motivates me because I believe when you're around people who are working to achieve their goals, it rubs off on you. It’s easy to do that at Miller because many of the female athletes here understand how time-consuming it is to compete at a high level, and they know what it takes to succeed.

I think it’s pretty clear to most that you are a great baseball player and not just “a girl who plays baseball.” In fact, on campus, I don't think anyone really mentions it anymore. Everyone here just knows you as a great player on a great baseball team. Do you agree with this? How about other teams that you play?

Yes, I agree with that. I think since I’ve been at Miller for a while, it's just become the norm. For other teams, especially in Virginia, they know I am on the team since I’ve been in the travel ball circuit since I was 10 and have played against many of the players. But when we go out of state, it is definitely still a shock to the players and fans at the games.

What are your goals for your senior year? For college?

My goals for senior year are simple: win another state championship and commit to play college baseball.

What’s next with Team USA?

This summer, USA Baseball is collaborating with the Durham Bulls and the All-American Girls Baseball League to host an event in Durham, which USA Baseball will use to evaluate and select women for the training camp in October at the USA Baseball training complex in North Carolina. I am really excited about the October event—this is the first time the women’s team will practice there.

Photo: Lily Pallante

How has Coach Wagner shaped you as a player and a person?

Coach Wagner has helped me in all aspects of my game—from pitching to hitting—but the biggest thing is the mental game. He’s taught me that you have to have mental toughness to stay and succeed in this game because failure is inevitable. Especially with me being out of the norm in the game of baseball, I sometimes face backlash in all different sorts of ways. That mental toughness has translated to my daily life, whether in school or out in the world. I remember getting a really big strikeout in a varsity game when I was in 9th grade, and he reminded me that I am supposed to do that.

He has also really promoted me. When he says I can play… people listen. Because of him, I was able to meet Clayton Kershaw, get interviewed by Clinton Yates, and appear on the MLB Network with Harold Reynolds—and that was all in one month. Truly amazing opportunities!

How has his story helped inspire you?

His story has inspired me because he was an underdog, someone who had to fight and prove himself every step of the way to get where he is. Him being able to do that—and also being a good person who continues to give back to the game through coaching and mentoring all different kinds of people—is what inspires me.

Which MLB players do you admire the most? Why?

Coach Wagner is a given. I also admire Clayton Kershaw the most because of how he plays the game. I try to throw my curveball like he does. He continues to dominate the game, even after being in it for so long. I admire the way he carries himself on the field.

By definition, you are a Maverick in the sport of baseball. What advice do you have for young people who are charting their own path in life and going against the grain in their pursuits?

My advice is if you love what you're doing, keep doing it. Listen to the people who are rooting for you and who will push you to be the best version of yourself—not the people who are trying to bring you down; they usually don’t even know you. Find and surround yourself with people who have similar goals. Miller is that for me. I drive almost 200 miles a day to be in this community. Truthfully, I am not trying to do anything revolutionary—I just want to play baseball. My coaches and teammates are the Mavericks. Most boys aren’t taught to support a girl in baseball the way they support me.