Meet Mia Kruspe

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mia Kruspe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I have learned to be successful as the only one that looks like me in the room by staying true to myself. I try to focus on the things I can control and ignore the things I cannot. I concentrate on what needs to get done and not on the differences at hand.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up playing baseball since I was five years old. I started at my local recreational team and, over time, switched to playing travel ball at the age of 10. I’ve been playing with my school team, the Lake Worth Christian Defenders, since the 8th grade, actively playing the field. I became a starter and a huge contributor to the team in the 9th grade. For the past two years, I have been involved in MLB Elite Development Invitational camps and have received feedback from amazing coaches. Recently, I have been invited to the 2025 All-American Women’s Baseball Classic powered by USA Baseball, which will take place in Durham, North Carolina.

I am mostly excited about the places that baseball can take me. I have already been to multiple states through travel baseball, and with MLB Develops, I have been to Kansas City and was able to explore the rich baseball culture that thrives there. I have already met so many amazing and outstanding players and coaches, and can’t wait to see what else baseball has in store for me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One quality that was impactful was respect. Having respect for the game and others has shaped my outlook on things. The game has taught me that you have to give respect to gain respect. Another is honesty. Being honest with myself has revealed things about myself that I wouldn’t have noticed if I sugar-coated everything. Honesty has made me grow as an athlete, but also as a person. Communication has probably been the most impactful skill during my journey. The ability to express myself well is a skill I think all people should learn. It helps you to connect with others and will get you to the places you want to go. My advice to those starting their journey is to fall in love with the process and not the results. Get used to grinding in the process now, and later down the road, it will help you greatly.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My father has been the most helpful in my overcoming my challenges. He grew up playing sports and played college football, so being able to pick his brain and learn from his experiences has given me the reassurance I need to face the challenges in my sport and life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.miakruspe.com
• Instagram: @mia.kruspe

Image Credits

The images in white were shot by Matt Kruspe. The images in the dark-colored uniforms were shot by @babette_guzik_photography