Withrow Joins Little League Softball World Series All-Female Grounds Crew

For the first time in the Little League Softball World Series history, the fields will be taken care of by an all-female grounds crew, including Reno Aces Head Groundskeeper Leah Withrow.

“I think it’s a really big opportunity for younger girls to see sports turf management as an option for a career path as well as seeing other women as a physical representation that you can do that. It’s going to hold a huge impact.”

Withrow will be in Greenville, North Carolina, for the LLSWS from August 11-15, and games will be shown on the ESPN networks. While at the series, Withrow plans to finally meet a young softball player who was inspired by her TikTok videos and is pursuing a path in sports turf management.

“She found me on TikTok and thought it was really cool. Now, she’s pursuing a degree in sports turf management and hopefully a career in it as well. It’s cool to know that I had a piece of that, and I hope she goes really far and becomes a professional groundskeeper somewhere.”

With the series held in Greenville, North Carolina, Withrow welcomes the challenge of adjusting to a new environment.

“I prepare this field (Greater Nevada Field) 75 times a year, so to go see something else in a different environment and weather climate that I have to adjust my management practices is going to be a good challenge for me.”

Withrow joins a team of female groundskeepers with experience at the collegiate and minor league levels.

“It’s very special to meet all these women that I’ve worked side-by-side with but never get to see, so it will be very cool to actually share the field with them. Professionally, it’s a really cool experience that you only get once a year.”

In a male-dominated industry, Withrow hopes that having an all-female grounds crew for the series will shine a light on the subject and grow their following.

“I’m ready to show sports turf management as an industry that there’s a women’s presence in a male-dominated industry. It’s small but growing, and it’s exciting to show the world and be featured as an all-women grounds crew team for the first time in the Little League Softball World Series. Hopefully, it grows from here for the next few years.”

Withrow will be back in time to maintain Greater Nevada Field for the Reno Aces’ homestand against the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, starting Tuesday, August 16.