She won’t be participating in the Little League World Series, but it might be the next best thing for Caroline Braden.
In early June, the Vienna resident and Kilmer Middle School 7th-grader will partake in the first Girls With Game competition for players ages 10-12 hosted at the famed Little League World Series complex in Williamsport, Pa.
Braden, who is a player for Vienna Little League’s Major Blue Jays team this season, was one of 96 girls nation wide chosen for the June 7-10 events, which includes games and other competitions.
Braden will stay on the ground at the complex while competing.
“I’m looking forward to that. It should be a lot of fun,” the 12-year-old Braden said.
“This is a huge deal for Caroline,” Vienna Little League president Andy Dinn said. “Caroline could not be a better, and more deserving, representative of Vienna Little League.”
This season is Braden’s second with the Blue Jays, who are managed by Tad Davidovich. She also played for the Vienna Little League fall Royals championship team.
“She shows up every day at practice to get better and work on her skills,” Davidovich said. “She is a fierce competitor, and she is quiet but lets her actions on the baseball field speak for her. When she speaks, it is usually something very important and everyone listens to her.”
Davidovich added that Braden receives the loudest cheers from team moms during games when she does something well.
Braden pitches and plays first and third base for the Blue Jays, and bats in the middle of the order.
The Girls With Game event is part of Little League’s Girls with Game 50 Celebration, honoring 50 years of girls and women in the Little League program. The players selected for the June event are provided with housing accommodations and meals at the Williamsport complex.
The event begins with an opening evaluation clinic on Friday, June 7. Following the clinic, players will be divided into eight teams for the weekend’s event. Teams will play a minimum of three games.
