Could This French Shortstop Be the MLB's First Female Player?

After over 150 years, Major League Baseball might have taken a step closer to finding its first female player.

Melissa Mayeux, a 16-year-old shortstop on the French U-18 junior national team, made MLB history on Sunday as the first female player on the international registration list.

Her addition to the list means she is eligible to be signed on July 2, although MLB.com reported that it is unlikely she would be signed next month. However, the site says only players with serious potential to be signed usually make it onto the international registry. There is no official rule that women cannot play in the MLB.

If signed, Mayeux, who has been watched by the MLB’s Director of International Game Development Mike McClellan for two years, would probably not play professional baseball until she is 18. If she is not signed, she would still be able to play for a U.S. university.

Mayeux speaks little English and is, according to MLB.com, “unaware that her presence on the registry might be seen as newsworthy in the United States.”

Meet the Real Women Who Inspired "A League of Their Own"

Caption from LIFE. Catcher Mary "Bonnie" Baker of the South Bend Blue Sox has five brothers, four sisters, all of them catchers on Canadian ball teams. Bonnie once set a grade-school record by throwing a ball 345 feet. She also rides, swims and bowls.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Pitcher Caroline Morris of Rockford Peaches, who pitched two no-hitters last year, uses a whirling underhand delivery.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Outfielder Faye Dancer, Fort Wayne, is a heavy hitter. By league rule, skirts must be within six inches of the kneecap.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Pitcher Annabelle Lee, Fort Wayne southpaw, hurled only perfect game (no opponent reached first) in league history.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Girl's Midwest baseball league, 1945.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Girl's Midwest baseball league, 1945.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Girl's Midwest baseball league, 1945.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Anastasia Batikis, Belles' outfielder, is about to take a healthy cut during a practice game. Former big leaguers like Max Carey and Marty MacManus coach the teams.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Penny O'Brian, Fort Wayne rookie infielder slides into third base. Sliding and bare legs are incompatible but girls do it regularly in their enthusiasm.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Faye Dancer pays for sliding into base with her bare legs protected only by a skirt rather than the male players' pants. "Strawberry" marks are painfully frequent.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Girl's Midwest baseball league, 1945.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. All six teams of the league pose for a formal picture at season's start … Eight of the players are married, three are mothers, many are engaged. A playing team consists of nine players, not ten as in softball. The league has a total of 96 players. Admission to games: $0.74.

Wallace Kirkland—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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