It’s no coincidence that Brock and Jennifer Wetenkamp’s family of five listed “A League Of Their Own” as their favorite sports movie of all time.
The 1992 film highlights the true story of the World War II era of the women’s all-American baseball league and the Manitowoc family even named their dog, Dottie Hinson, after a lead character played by Geena Davis.
11-year old Ava Wetenkamp, the eldest of Brock and Jennifer’s three young daughters is preparing for the trip of a lifetime: going to the Central American nation of Costa Rica in December as part of a goodwill tour of girls baseball players that will play boys teams.
We spoke with the family yesterday afternoon at the Manitowoc Youth Sports Complex, beginning with Ava, and she told Seehafer News, “Me and my dad applied for an all girls team from across the United States going to Costa Rica to play baseball. It’s part of kind of an ambassadors program to show people that girls can play baseball too. And it’s super cool.
No in-person tryouts were necessary, but they sent in some videos and pictures and filled out an online application before Ava was chosen for the select team.
Brock and his dad, Lee Wetenkamp, who played in the Toronto Bluejays organization, have their visas ready for the trip from December 5th to the 12th.
Following some batting practice, Brock commented “She hits the ball hard, she hits it consistently which is more important I guess at this point for me. She hits the ball well and I’m about to the point that we’re standing behind the screen when I pitch to her. Not quite, but almost.”
Jennifer, a Phy-Ed instructor and coach at Wilson Middle School where her daughter is a 6th grader, spoke about the importance of competing in multiple activities including dance, cross country, tennis, softball, and of course baseball.
“I think it’s really important now that we look at being an all-around athlete and not just specialize in one sport. But be able to be competitive in other areas and other sports. And just still have fun doing it,” she said. “I think that’s really the important part as she’s just 11 years old. I want her to be able to try and do everything that she can.”
Ava says she’s always enjoyed baseball the most.
She tells us her goal “is to get better and move to play on bigger and better teams…I would like to play for Lincoln’s high school team.”
Brock, who also coaches high school baseball, said they’re excited for their daughter’s upcoming trip as she’s been around baseball her whole life.
“We gave her a baseball bat when she was about I’d say 3 months old,” he explained. “She couldn’t swing it at that point but we have some pictures of her with it. Yeah, we put her in the lefthanded batter’s box and made sure she’s a lefty and she enjoys it.”
Ava Wetenkamp turns 12 years old during the trip to San Jose and upon her return will trade in a ball and bat for ballet slippers to dance in the annual Nutcracker production at the Capitol Civic Center.
