The Cleveland Indians are already making history in Spring Training 2011, welcoming Justine Siegal to camp. The significance is Siegal became the first woman to pitch batting practice in a major league spring training camp. Ironically, Siegal is a native Clevelander who grew up rooting for the Indians during the 1990’s.

“I wanted to be Orel Hershiser,” Siegal said of the starting pitcher who played for Cleveland in the mid-1990s. “Following the Indians is in my blood.”

Siegal, 36, now lives in Springfield, Mass., pitched to Paul Phillips, Lou Marson and Juan Apodaca, all who are in the major league camp.

“If you didn’t see the ponytails, she would have fit right in,” said Phillips, one of the players who took swings off Siegal’s pitches. “She did great.”