Ward dreams big with professional baseball tryout

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Molly (Lundeen) Ward '10 scrolled past a Facebook post about the newly formed Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) without giving it much thought.

After all, the tryouts in Washington, D.C. were drawing more than 500 registrants, and it had been 16 years since she last picked up a bat for the Minot State University softball program.

She had originally thought the timing was off by a decade or so.

"It piqued my interest," she said. "But, I thought, 'gosh, if this had only popped up 10 years earlier, I would be all about that.' I sent it to my husband, Travis, and said, 'how cool is this?' He immediately responded, telling me I should go for it. I was questioning my age and abilities, but the thought kept nagging me."

It wasn't just her thoughts nagging her to give it a shot. Travis and the couple's son, Elias, kept pushing her to send in an application.

"Their belief in me and how they felt I could still play ball - I can't even describe how that made me feel," Ward said. "I knew I could still track, throw, and catch a ball, but I told them I would only consider it if I could hit and see a ball coming at me. It had been a long time.

"After going to the cages and having no problem making contact, I knew I could do it."

A new level of emotion was evoked as reality set in when she found out her application had been accepted.

"Oh, my goodness, I had so many emotions running through me the entire time," she said. "Once I knew I was going, I was ecstatic and then, of course, nervous. I am extremely competitive, but I am aware that I have been out of the game for a while. I was telling people it was seven years since I played ball, but it had actually been 16! Where the heck had time gone, and how in my brain and body did I feel as though I was in my 20s! I guess that's a good thing, right?"

The weeks that followed her acceptance letter were a blur of preparation. Between parenting Elias and daughter Annabelle, running a nonprofit preschool with Travis, and keeping up with family life in Washington, Ward carved out a demanding training schedule. She lifted weights three times a week, mixed in sprint drills, worked with a hitting coach, and even trained alongside her son.

"Some of my best training moments came when I could train and play baseball with him," she recalled.

By the time she stepped onto the field at Nationals Youth Park in Washington, D.C. in late August, the nerves gave way to familiarity.

"It felt like home," Ward said. "I can't fully describe the way my mind and nerves settled in that moment. Being surrounded by other incredible athletes and knowing we were part of a very special time in history for women's sports was surreal. It was empowering."

During the professional-style tryout, Ward impressed scouts with her defense and arm strength and, at the plate, drew praise from coaches - including trailblazer Justine Siegal and Team USA standout Alex Hugo. At one point, while in the batting cage, one of the scouts admired her swing.

"One of the coaches goes, 'wow, that's a great swing.' It made me feel really good because the hitting, transitioning from softball to baseball, was what I was most nervous about," Ward said. "I chose to play centerfield because I played that in college, and during that time, we had a lot of positive feedback. I ripped the numbers off my shirt diving for a ball they didn't think I would reach. But I did!"

The experience was more than just a tryout. For Ward, it was a lesson in resilience and a chance to model determination for her children.

"Age is just a number. It's always a no if you don't try," she said. "The process and hard work are always worth it. Aiming for a goal takes discipline, hard work, and commitment. I may go and get cut after the first day, while that wasn't my goal going in, the process and hard work are always worth it. Most importantly, enjoy the journey."

Her roots at Minot State University also shaped her mindset. She carried the encouragement of former teammates from both the softball and volleyball teams, as well as coaches, along with the memory of longtime MSU supporter Bev Alex.

"Bev was a part of my life from the time I was a little girl. If anyone spent any time at MSU sporting events, especially softball or baseball, they knew who Bev was," she said. "The swing, from softball to baseball, was a tough adjustment, but when I stepped to the plate, all I could hear was Bev's voice in my head: 'Find an alley out there, find an alley.' That's what I carried with me.

"My parents were also able to attend tryouts, and I believe it was a nostalgic moment for them, as well; being in the stands and watching me do what I love, while supporting me at the same time."

Today, Ward continues to channel her passion for teaching, mentoring, and inspiring others - whether through her work with young children, her family, or the broader mission of women in sports. She hopes to serve as an ambassador for the WPBL, creating opportunities for young girls in her community to discover confidence and possibilities through athletics.

"The best and most important job I have right now is being a mom to Elias and Annabelle," she said. "Travis and I both played sports at a high level, and now we get to help them follow their dreams.

"I have been teaching since I graduated from Minot State in 2010. I was blessed to teach in Minot, Arizona, Texas, and now Washington state. Last year, I resigned from the school district after Travis and I began a non-profit preschool in our community. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. I love working with children and partnering with families."

Though she didn't advance to the next round, the WPBL later used her photo on its official website.

"Dream big and dare to fail," Ward said. "That's what this experience was all about. And I wouldn't trade it for anything."