The first female selected to participate in the MLB European Elite Camp sees it as a natural progression.
French teen Melissa Mayeux will participate in the camp this week in the Netherlands with 79 young men, MLB.com reported.
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"I just finished the minicamp in Germany, and now I want to make a next step this week in Amsterdam," Mayeux, 16, told the Dutch media Tuesday.
Seated next to her were former major-leaguers Barry Larkin and Steve Finley.
Beyond Mayeux's impressive resume — she plays shortstop for the French U-18 team and is on the French national senior softball team — she brings intangibles, Finley said: "First of all, she's a great athlete, and very coachable. It says something that she's immediately been accepted by the boys."
Mayeux said her goals are simple: She wants to make France's team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic and, "of course, to play in America."
She understands she is a pioneer and is proud MLB chose her to break the gender barrier for its Elite program.
"It's great that MLB is giving me this opportunity," Mayeux said. "Now, I want to get the maximum out of these camps with so many great coaches and so much talent surrounding me.
"I hope to make some important steps as a player this summer. I have talent, but I must become much better to get to the French squad for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. If that works out fine, then the chance of playing in the United States becomes bigger — that's my big dream."
