Knuckleballer Claire Eccles becomes first woman to compete in West Coast League

Knuckleball pitcher Claire Eccles will pitch in the summer collegiate West Coast League this summer

This summer, Claire Eccles will make baseball history. The 19-year-old knuckleballer will become the first woman to compete in the West Coast League, an 11-team collegiate summer league. She'll pitch for the Victoria HarbourCats.

BREAKING | Claire Eccles of @UBCSoftball will become first female to ever play baseball in the West Coast League

➡️ https://t.co/4ogNbFMBTe pic.twitter.com/xfdEcfnAtP

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) May 16, 2017

"A hundred percent Claire is good enough to play on our team," said HarbourCats general manager Brad Norris-Jones to CBC (via ESPN). "Is it going to be a challenge for Claire? Absolutely. We're just going to get everyone involved and show that in 2017 this isn't different, this isn't weird. It's normal." 

Eccles has spent the last two years pitching for the University of British Columbia. She is also one of the top pitchers on Canada's women's national team. At least one big leaguer noticed and congratulated Eccles for breaking the league's gender barrier:

Congrats Claire. Knuckle up !!Knuckleballer 1st woman in West Coast League https://t.co/XmqxdHdSMc

— R.A. Dickey (@RADickey43) May 17, 2017

The West Coast League season begins May 30. Notable big leaguers who have played in the league include Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, Rays righty Matt Andriese, Rays infielder Matt Duffy, and Tigers lefty Matt Boyd.

Last year the Sonoma Stompers of the independent Pacific Association signed two female players.