Community Sports
Gig Harbor’s DeRespini qualifies for national home run derby
The Pacific Northwest has a great history with home run derbies. Just recently, the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh won the 2025 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
Now, Gig Harbor’s very own Olivia DeRespini looks to make history by competing in the Little League National Home Run Derby in August.
DeRespini, 12, plays for travel softball teams, which improved her skill. After her softball season, she looked into playing with the Gig Harbor Little Leagues. That’s where she learned about the Home Run Derby.
DeRespini thought competing in the derby would be fun, so she took up the challenge. She qualified for the regional competition in Atlanta.
The Little League Regionals Home Run Derby took place over MLB’s All-Star Weekend, July 12 through 15. DeRespini qualified the national competition, to be held Aug. 21 in Williamsport, Penn. The competition will be aired on Aug. 22 on ESPN.
While competing in the regionals, DeRespini attended the MLB Home Run Derby, where she got to witness Raleigh’s success. She’ll try to replicate that in August.
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