This week On Deck with Dobbins takes a unique look into not only the sport of softball, but how softball can cross over into the realm of baseball.
Kayla Baptista seems like the normal, high-level collegiate softball athlete. Baptista, a middle infielder for the University of North Carolina, made 23 starts, appearing in 29 games, averaging .267 at the plate in 60 at-bats, recording 16 hits, plating 13 runs and two RBIs. After that however, the normality for the now sophomore Tar Heel seems to change dramatically.
Baptista was recently hired by the Texas Rangers of MLB as a coach. She becomes the first female coach hired by the Rangers for an on-field role. RTS’s Lee Dobbins had a chance to sit down with Kayla Baptista to talk about her journey between diamonds.
Lee Dobbins: What brought you to the point with this opportunity with the Texas Rangers and that pathway to Professional Baseball?
Kayla Baptista: I have been a baseball fan my entire life. Baseball‘s been a part of my family dynamic since I can remember. My family and I have been to many Red Sox and PawSox games; we’ve even taken family vacations to Tampa to hit the beach and go to all the area stadiums for spring training games. I’ve also given baseball and softball private lessons since the eighth grade; but I took a huge step towards my career in 2019 when I went to Aruba to help with 297 Baseball Academy camp. I was at the field from about eight in the morning until midnight, and never did it feel like a second of work. This is when I realized that I could do this for the rest of my life. Soon after, I reached out to Rachel Balkovec, and she became my mentor. I took a life-changing, next step and reached out to Cape Cod Baseball League team managers asking to be an assistant coach in any way. The Wareham Gatemen replied and asked me to send videos of me throwing batting practice and hitting fungo. They welcomed me and it turned out to be the greatest experience of my life…and I’m very grateful that I chose to document some of those best memories through a twitter blog. You can see days 1 – 52 of my internship @kbappy3 on twitter. That experience is what led to a lot of exposure. I’ve had many phone calls and interviews with major league organizations; the one that stood out to me the most was with the Texas Rangers. They invited me out to Arizona for their last week of instructs. That week was filled with me throwing batting practice, working with the infield, coaching first, and spending a lot of quality time with all the staff while talking a lot of baseball. As a result, they offered me the job, and I accepted their job in the beginning of December!
Dobbins: What is your plan in balancing this position and that of the student-athlete with your commitments at UNC and its softball program?
Baptista: I always tell myself to be where my feet are. A lot of the time that is easier said than done since I am so excited to be working for the Rangers; but we have our eyes on an ACC championship right now. While I am with Carolina Softball, all my focus is on achieving that goal. I am very organized and plan my day out to the minute. Along with getting all my schoolwork done and putting my work in for softball, I try to do at least one thing each day that takes me one step closer to my goal in coaching. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like there’s enough time in the day but there’s always a way to get it done if your priorities are straight. And, yes, I do keep in touch with the Rangers.
Dobbins: What are your long-range goals in professional baseball? With you working on the coaching side, any thoughts on that being in the sport of softball at any point?
Baptista: My goal is to manage in the Major Leagues. Until then I’ll be full steam ahead, learning as much as I can and working my way up the system. Honestly, I have not had any thoughts about coaching in softball, but I will always be an advocate for and willing to help any softball team and players in any way!
Dobbins: Talk a little about the dynamic of a female athlete coaching male athletes. What are the similarities, differences, and maybe challenges you have run into?
Baptista: I never notice that I am the only female on the field, until hearing a few comments. One time an umpire asked if I was the athletic trainer when I was standing right in front of him in a full uniform. Another time I was coaching first base and someone screamed out of the dugout, asking if I knew what a back-pick was. I never let these comments bother me. I tell myself that there’s no way of proving it to them besides just showing up and kicking ass. I’m sure there will be some challenges along the way, but I’m okay with that. I’m hoping that my hard work, passion, and knowledge will overcome any bias.
Dobbins: What are your current thoughts on the MLB Lockout? How would that affect your first assignment in the Dominican Republic as it stands?
Baptista: I hope that the players association and the owners can come to a fair agreement. It’s a very important matter, so taking time to make sure both ends agree is imperative, but I also would love for the lockout to end so we can get on the field and get to work! As of now, there’s no change to my first assignment in the Dominican Republic.
Dobbins: What are your goals in the next several years as you complete your collegiate eligibility?
Baptista: To win an ACC championship!
Dobbins: Talk a little about your upbringing in the two sports. Who has been most influential in your development as a player and coach?
Baptista: My true inspiration for becoming involved in baseball is Kelly Rodman. I had the chance to listen and meet her at a conference in Connecticut. Her passion and love for the game spoke right to me. Just the fact that she was on that stage still serving the game as she was battling against her last stages of breast cancer was inspiring in and of itself. Each day I strive to make her proud and make a difference in this game just as she would still be doing.
From an athlete/player standpoint, I have always looked up to Tom Brady. Starting out, he was never the best and most people would say that he had all odds against him. Like him, I was always the smallest standing 5’2”, from the small state of Rhode Island. No one would’ve ever thought that athletically I would be where I am today. He was never a starter, but he worked harder. He has worked for absolutely everything that he has. He taught me how to earn everything that I want and ultimately, he taught me how to be a great leader and competitor.
From both an athlete and coaching standpoint my mentality is very heavily influenced by being from the northeast and playing on Dave Lotti’s RI Thunder 18U team from the 8th grade through senior year. My skills, technique, and knowledge were gained through hours and hours of practice focusing on perfecting the tiniest of details. Literally, our blood, sweat, and tears on that field was why we were an extremely tough team. We would always think about the California teams who have the advantage of year-round play with their consistently competitive schedules. We would say, “If we aren’t going to be the biggest, strongest and most talented team in the country, then we can most certainly be the toughest, smartest and hardest-working team in the country.” The Thunder organization has prepared me extremely well for the next level mentally, physically and emotionally and that’s where my coaching style comes from as well.