Marika Lyszczyk a diamond trailblazer from BC to Rivier to Sag Harbour
Former Whalley Chief C-RHP Marika Lyszczyk (Delta, BC) spent the summer of 2020 with the Sag Harbour Whalers in summer ball and the spring at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H.
October 27, 2021
Breaking barriers, Marika Lyszczyk opens the door for female ballplayers
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
On Tuesday, April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson broke the major league colour barrier when he started for the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. He went 0-for-3 in a 5-3 Dodgers’ win in front of 26,623 spectators.
On Sunday, March 1, 2020 it was Marika Lyszczyk (Delta, B.C.) shattering barriers on Terry Park Field No. 4 in Fort Myers, Fla. in front of a modest 150 onlookers, many of whom probably didn’t even know they were witnessing history.
On that beautiful day, 73 degrees and sunny to be exact, Lyszczyk became the first female to ever catch in a National Collegiate Athletic Association game when she strapped on the gear in the Rivier University Raiders’ 12-3 loss to the Thiel College Tomcats.
A loss on the scoreboard, but a monumental win for the evolution of the game.
“There were a lot more challenges playing with the boys when I was younger,” Lyszczyk said. “Some people would say I shouldn’t be there, that I didn’t deserve to be there. I heard every year how I wouldn’t be able to hang at the next level.”
Hang she did, and hang she continues to do.
The thing is, playing with the boys is nothing new to Lyszcyk. She’d been playing softball and baseball since age five, often on boys teams. When Lyszczyk was 11 she decided to focus her time on baseball. Then, in bantam, she was picked up by the Whalley Chiefs, then run by Paul Hargreaves, of the British Columbia Premier League. The BCPBL is one of the most prestigious leagues in Canada and has pumped out talents like St. Louis Cardinals OF Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C., Langley Blaze), Red Sox RHP Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C., Victoria Eagles) and LHP James Paxton (Richmond, B.C., North Delta Blue Jays), to name a few ... plus alumni like 1B Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C., North Delta), OF Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, B.C., Coquitlam Reds) and INF Brett Lawrie (Langley, Blaze).
It was a big step in her career and one that helped her earn the respect of those around her. As Lyszczyk grew older proving her worth and establishing her rightful place in the game became easier.
“As I grew up people became more accepting,” Lyszczyk said. “I’m so lucky to have coaches that have treated me like family.”
Not only did some think she wouldn’t be good enough to play at the next level each passing year, the skeptics definitely didn’t think Lyszczyk could be a catcher. It was yet another obstacle that she had to overcome on her journey in the game.
“When I first started catching I closed my eyes a lot,” she admitted with a laugh. “But I loved catching, I loved being in the action and in on every play. I was determined to be a catcher.”
Improving behind the plate and proving doubters wrong, the hard work and determination she’s become famous for eventually led to an invitation to the MLB Grit combine. The event is designed specifically for females to showcase their talents on the ball field. Picture a pro style workout for top prospects. It was here that she met Jeremy Booth. Booth runs the New Balance Future Stars Series, an identification and development experience that hosts combines and scout days across North America.
“I remember him walking up to me,” Lyszczyk said. “He said ‘I want you to catch’ and he really thought that I could.”
Having someone like Booth believe in her ability was a turning point in her career.
Booth liked what he saw so much he asked if she had considered playing college ball. From there, a few phone calls were made, one of which was to then head coach at Rivier University Anthony Perry. Rivier is a Division III school in Nashua, N.H. that competes in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. After some discussions the young female catcher decided to commit to the Raiders program.
“Stepping on campus and on the field of a NCAA school was surreal, that’s the only word I can come up with to describe it,” Lyszczyk said. “It was amazing, the team really opened up to me and welcomed me in right away. It’s my most proud moment in baseball.”
You hear it all the time “it is a game of adjustments”. But few have had to adjust as often on and off the field as the first female catcher in NCAA history. Lyszczyk singled in a 19-3 loss to Baruch Bearcats for her only hit in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, batting .111 in seven games with an RBI. Off the mound, Lyszczyk threw one scoreless inning allowing a hit, a walk and striking out one.
In the summer of 2020, Lyszczyk appeared in 14 games with Sag Harbour Whalers in the Hamptons Collegite League batting .079 with two walks and four RBIs. As well, Lyszczyk had mound duty, pitching five innings for a 3.60 ERA in five games, walking one and striking out four. After the season Lyszczyk underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff.
Her seasons should not be measured in hits and hits allowed. No, the woman led the planet in breaking glass ceilings.
“I’m never going to throw 90 mph across the diamond,” Lyszczyk said. “I have to adapt and know the strengths of my game. I take a lot of pride in my relationship with the pitchers, figuring out what they like, dislike, their personalities, and what their goals are.”
Goals, like the ones thousands of young women can now set and accomplish thanks to Marika Lyszczyk.