Published TUESDAY, April 29, 2025: 'Breaking The Grass Ceiling' Pictures by ZUMA Press represented Sacramento Bee's photographer Paul Kitagaki Jr. and story by staff writer Joe Davidson: A record nine women suited up for teams at the collegiate level in 2024, with more on the way, while a movement to make women's baseball a college sport is gaining momentum. Kennedy Cougars team captain and pitcher Laney Fukuoka has heard it all. The out-loud wise cracks, the subtle digs, the snickers. The High School senior pitcher has also caught the expressions of discord and doubt when taking the mound, the rolled eyes, the nodding of the head, the deep sighs. The heckling line most common? ''She throws like a girl!'' Well, shoot, man. News flash: She is a girl. The path to Major League Baseball is a straightforward run for boys and young men, but a new women's league (WPBL) hopes to create a similar baseball pipeline for girls and young women in the not-too-distant future. Welcome to 'Breaking The Grass Ceiling'
© zReportage.com Issue #987 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY, April 29, 2025: 'Breaking The Grass Ceiling' Pictures by ZUMA Press represented Sacramento Bee's photographer Paul Kitagaki Jr. and story by staff writer Joe Davidson: A record nine women suited up for teams at the collegiate level in 2024, with more on the way, while a movement to make women's baseball a college sport is gaining momentum. Kennedy Cougars team captain and pitcher Laney Fukuoka has heard it all. The out-loud wise cracks, the subtle digs, the snickers. The High School senior pitcher has also caught the expressions of discord and doubt when taking the mound, the rolled eyes, the nodding of the head, the deep sighs. The heckling line most common? ''She throws like a girl!'' Well, shoot, man. News flash: She is a girl. The path to Major League Baseball is a straightforward run for boys and young men, but a new women's league (WPBL hopes to create a similar baseball pipeline for girls and young women in the not-too-distant future. Welcome to 'Breaking The Grass Ceiling'

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA warms up in the bullpen before the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope. Fukuoka has played baseball with the boys for four years. She is the most experienced player on the Kennedy roster, and as Cougars coach Dave Enos states, ''She's our best player.''
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

LANEY FUKUOKA routinely stretches at home in Sacramento after every practice and game to help keep in top physical form. The Kennedy Cougars team captain Fukuoka is attending Emerson College on a baseball scholarship and is the pitcher and plays first base on the boys varsity baseball team.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

LANEY FUKUOKA relaxes in her bedroom before her baseball team practice on Thursday in Sacramento. She speaks eloquently about her joys of the game, the challenges, the pain of defeats and the heat of criticism. And she is the one with the big smile and the steady leadership on the field and in the dugout.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Awards for athleticism and academic hang on the bedroom wall of Kennedy Cougars Laney Fukuoka in Sacramento. She will study communications at Emerson College, a small, private school in Boston. She has been signed to an academic scholarship to the school and will compete on the men's baseball roster.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

LANEY FUKUOKA holds a signed jersey she received from her Japanese teammates when she played baseball during last summer in Japan. Her skills have been enough to lead to invitations to be invited to instructional camps in Japan and Australia.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA pitches against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope. Fukuoka is a champion of perseverance and pride on a struggling team where the bottom line remains firm: It's a game, so enjoy it while also embracing the sport as a reminder of life lessons.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA talks with coach DAVID ENOS and catcher ASHTON LUCKENBILL before the game against the Antelope Titan's.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA pitches against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope, California. Fukuoka taught herself the curveball that has become her money pitch.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA watches game from the dugout between inning during the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA stands with her teammates during the National Anthem during the game against the Antelope Titan's.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA wears blue fingernail polish as she holds the baseball waiting of the game to start against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope. Fukuoka, who'll turn 18 on May 15, had this to say of the tired ''you throw like a girl'' line: ''Honestly, I've taken it as a compliment. My coaches use it as a compliment.''
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars coach DAVID ENOS talks with he is team after their 10-2 loss against the Antelope Titan's. Baseball is still a great way to spend a day and season, Laney Fukuoka said. ''I just love the game so much, good things and bad things happen in baseball but it can still be such a fun sport.''
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA sits in the dugout with her teammates before the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA, second from left, watching teammate at bat during the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

The line up sheet has Kennedy Cougars Laney Fukuoka batting seventh in the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA wears a bracelet stating 'Resilient' during the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

LANEY FUKUOKA, sitting in her bedroom, analyzes her pitching techniques from her dad's video in Sacramento. The Kennedy Cougars team captain Laney Fukuoka is attending Emerson College on a baseball scholarship and is the pitcher and plays first base on the boys varsity baseball team.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

CORY FUKUOKA and his mom, SHELIA FUKUOKA, watch his daughter, Laney Fukuoka, pitch during the game against the Antelope Titan's. The Kennedy Cougars team captain Laney is attending Emerson College on a baseball scholarship and is the pitcher and plays first base on the boys varsity baseball team.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars LANEY FUKUOKA congratulates the Antelope Titan's players after they won the game 10-2.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars team captain, LANEY FUKUOKA, bumps fist with teammates after the game against the Antelope Titan's in Antelope.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

Kennedy Cougars team captain, LANEY FUKUOKA, walks out of the dugout in her uniform after the game against the Antelope Titan's, in Antelope, California. She Doesn't change our of her uniform until she get home from the game.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire

LANEY FUKUOKA relaxes in her bedroom before her baseball team practice on Thursday afternoon in Sacramento. Fukuoka earned her spot, Fukuoka isn't on the Cougars team as some sort of statement or a power play by a pushy parent.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/ZUMA Press Wire