31/07/2023 1 Minute Read

Francys Dayana Sandoval: The Baseball Princess of Venezuela

Sandoval has baseball in her blood. Her father, Francisco and her uncle Daniel played in the Venezuelan professional league. She wants the game to be part of her future.

Venezuela pitcher Francys Dayana Sandoval threw a complete game, striking out eight on Day 2. She is thankful for the manager and coaches trusting her to start and finish the game, and quite satisfied with her performance.

Manager Rafael Herde said that Sandoval is the first and only girl Venezuela has ever had on their U-12 National Team. Sandoval’s ability to get out on strike made her stand out among all the boys during the selection process and the qualifying tournament.

“I practice with the boys and compete against boys,” Sandoval said. “And as a girl, I’m proud of my performances.”

After the win, the whole Venezuelan team sprayed water on Sandoval, congratulating her on throwing a complete game.

Sandoval has always been a pitcher because it is in her blood. Her father, Francisco Sandoval, and uncle, Daniel Sandoval, were professional players in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP).

Dreaming about playing professional baseball in the future, Sandoval started practising when she was two and competing at three.

“I started playing baseball as a pitcher because both my father and uncle were pitchers,” Sandoval said. “They love pitching, and I want to be like them one day.”

Sandoval’s fastball tops 68 miles (109.4 kilometres) per hour, but her favourite pitch is a curve ball. She used 66 pitches for the complete game, striking out eight and only allowing four hits against Australia.

This WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup is a brand-new experience for Sandoval. She has travelled with the team without her parents, making her debut for the national team. It was her first time in Taiwan and even her first time witnessing the power of a typhoon.

Pitching on the team her father coaches, Sandoval has a nickname back home, Princesa del Béisbol menor, meaning The Youth Baseball Princess,” which also explains the tiara-shaped earrings she always wears.

“I think these tiaras represent me,” Sandoval said. “Just like me playing among boys, I like wearing them when I pitch.”

Sandoval will not pitch any more games in the Opening Round, but The Princess will return for the Super Round.