Then, in June 1998, she was contacted by the Diamond Queens, a Class A powerhouse. After a tryout, Detlie made the squad. During the 1998 season, she excelled with her new team. Her defense in left field was stellar and her rock-steady bat was a fixture in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. The Diamond Queens don't get paid to play, but their sponsor, Louisville Slugger, provides all the equipment.
Players travel quite a bit because weekend tournaments are held all across the United States.
Team sponsors pay for players' airfare and hotel rooms. You have to perform because if not, they will put someone in there who can. The team was ranked second in the nation last season and the heightened reputation that came with that success enticed several new players to join its already imposing roster this year. Nearly all of players' time on weekends during the spring and summer are taken up by tournaments. Typically, Detlie will fly into the host city on a Friday night, play ball all day Saturday and Sunday, and then return home Sunday night.