If anyone needed proof that America’s pastime transcends all boundaries and age ranges, then one needs to look no further than Pacific Beach Middle School student Sage Weiss.
Weiss started playing baseball at age 5 in the Mission Bay Youth Baseball Shetland tee-ball division, and recently completed her seventh season with MBYB. She loves playing sports, specifically baseball, even hitting the Wiffle ball as early as age 3.
The talented sixth-grader hopes to try out and make the seventh grade Bucs team associated with Mission Bay High, and in a few years, to play varsity baseball for the high school.
“Sage has played all nine positions this year, depending on the team she is playing with, however, her favorites are shortstop, catcher, and pitcher,” said her father Craig Weiss.
“Sage said the coolest thing about being the only girl on her team is that she can be as good as them and yet still be different. She also loves striking out boys when she pitches.”
Despite her Mission Bay team having just a handful of wins so far this season, Weiss has played well enough to be voted for the Mission Bay Bronco 12U All-Star team.
“Sage is a tremendous player, and has become one because of her dedication and hard work,” said league president Billy Bonelli. “Her baseball awareness is what sets her apart, which can be the most challenging aspect of the sport. MBYB is focused on creating opportunities for all of Mission Bay’s youth athletes and pride ourselves on having our players participate in multiple sports if possible.”
Weiss is also playing on an all-girls baseball team, the California Waves 12U, while getting ready to play in the Baseball for All National Championships for girls in July, which is an event that draws several hundred girl baseball players from 50 teams ages 8-19.
“As a dad the best thing I like about Sage continuing to play baseball at a high level is the confidence I see in her on the field as well as her work ethic, constantly staying after practice or wanting to go to the batting cage on her off days,” Craig Weiss added.
“We are so thankful that MBYB has been so welcoming to having Sage continuing to play baseball. Everyone from the coaches, the board members, the parents, and the other kids have embraced Sage,” he said.
This season, the league had the most girls ever in their Pinto 8U and Shetland 6U divisions with two other girls, Kenley Tuskan and Kaya Forero, making the Pinto 8U All-Star teams.
“Sage wants to be a positive role model for these girls, showing them that they have a path to stay playing baseball for as long as they want,” said Craig Weiss.
PHOTO BY JEAN FRUTH IMAGES
