Seaford Middle School seventh grader Olivia Redash is making history, and she’s doing it on her own terms.
The 12-year-old recently became the first female player ever to earn a spot on the school’s baseball team, but she refuses to approach the milestone as a barrier-breaker.
“I just see myself as another player,” she said.
Playing baseball for about eight years, starting at age 4, Olivia’s love for the sport isn’t surprising. She grew up around the game, with an older brother who played, and a father deeply involved in baseball.
She said that this quickly developed into a passion that never wavered.
“I grew up with my brother and my dad coaching and playing baseball, and I just fell in love with the game,” she said.
While most girls tend to favor playing softball, Olivia chose a different path and stuck with baseball, continuing to develop her skills as both a catcher and second baseman.
Her dedication paid off this spring when she earned a spot on the Seaford Middle School team. She’s not only the program’s first girl, but also one of its youngest players.
“I was so excited,” Olivia said of making the team. “It was just crazy.”
Known for her competitiveness behind the plate, she said her favorite part of catching is “throwing people out.”
Off the field, she prepares for games like many young athletes, often listening to music, with a playlist that changes every month.
Her journey has been shaped not only by her school experience, but also by her youth travel baseball program, Long Island Dodgers Nation, which her father credited as a key part of her development.
“She’s been around the game since she was born,” her father, Brian Redash, said. “Between our family and the organization, she just fell in love with it.”
He added that the training, coaching and support she received through Dodgers Nation helped her grow into the player she is today.
Olivia’s talent has also taken her beyond Long Island. Earlier this month, she was selected to participate in the MLB Develops Trailblazer Series, a highly competitive national event held April 16 to 19 at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida.
The event, run by Major League Baseball in partnership with USA Baseball, drew roughly 900 applicants who also submitted videos. Only about 90 players, all girls ages 12 to 14, were selected from across the country.
“It was really fun,” Olivia said. “The other girls were very nice, and I had a great time.”
Participants took part in drills, games and position-specific training while connecting with other girls who share a passion for baseball.
Back home, Olivia continues to navigate a path that hasn’t always been easy. Her father acknowledged that there have been moments of doubt from others who questioned why she chose baseball over softball. But, he said, Olivia has consistently answered those questions through her performance and determination.
“She never wants to be looked at as the weak link,” he said. “She always elevates her game.”
That mindset has resonated beyond her own team. Her father said they’ve received encouragement from other families at tournaments, with many recognizing the significance of her presence on the field.
“You don’t realize the impact you’re having until it’s happening,” he said.
Despite the attention, Olivia remains focused on improving her game and contributing to her team. She lists New York Yankees star Aaron Judge as her favorite player and role model and is keeping her goals simple.
“To just keep on getting better and better,” she said.
She also has a message for other girls who may be interested in following a similar path. “Don’t let people tell you that you can’t play baseball because you’re a girl,” she said.
For her father, Olivia’s journey represents more than just personal success. It’s a reminder of what can happen when passion meets persistence.
“If you dream it and you put the time and effort in, you can make it happen,” he said.
