Whether you’ve followed the Women’s Professional Baseball League closely or not this season, you likely heard the name Andréanne Leblanc in the past two weeks.
The San Francisco Firebells first baseman notably hit the WPBL’s first walk-off and first grand slam with the same home run on Aug. 30 against the New York Heights. Leblanc quickly became one of the biggest names in the league because of her historic game-winning home run.
Even weeks later, Leblanc is still in disbelief about her grand slam. She acknowledges that the win was an overall team effort, though.
“I honestly never thought about putting that ball over for me to end the game; it just happened,” Leblanc told The IX Sports. “I’m really glad it did, but I don’t like to take credit for the moment.”
Catcher Alexia Jorge, who sits behind Leblanc in the lineup, recalled how she felt watching her close friend finally have her big moment at the plate.
“I was sitting there, and I was just watching, fully confident that she was going to put something together. As soon as she swung, I knew off the bat. I was literally sprinting to home plate,” Jorge told The IX Sports. “I think I was the first one there to greet her. It was just an insane adrenaline rush, it was a crazy ending.
“It was awesome, especially since we got so close, and it just meant a lot because I know she’d been always saying ‘When’s my time? When’s mine coming?’ And it just came at one of the biggest moments of our season. I was really happy for her to see that, and to have her experience that, that was awesome.”
Leblanc’s homer definitely did come at an important moment in the season. Just days later on Sept. 2, the Firebells clinched the No. 1 seed for the inaugural WPBL postseason. Leblanc logged two hits and one RBI in that playoff spot-clinching game, then followed it up with her second home run of the season on Sept. 4 vs. the Heights.
The Quebec native is known for her strong hitting at the plate, especially when she competes for Team Canada. But it took a bit longer for her to find her rhythm at the plate in the WPBL. Leblanc finally feels like she found her footing after that monumental grand slam, though.
“I feel like that first home run unlocked something in my swing,” Leblanc said. “Right now, I’m playing more free, I’m playing more confidently with the kind of pitch that I can swing hard, and that’s really what I’ve been focusing on going forward in the postseason.”
Leblanc’s confidence at the plate has only increased in the past couple of weeks heading into the playoffs.
“I know I’m the kind of hitter, like I’m comfortable with two strikes, I’m comfortable in big situations. I know I have a lot of power over the pitchers,” Leblanc said. “There’s not a lot of pitchers that have something to beat me.”
Leblanc’s biggest struggles have come off the baseball field. Ever since she hit the historic walk-off grand slam, social media has become overwhelming for the 24-year-old. The WPBL’s Instagram video of the home run, for instance, was viewed close to one million times already. The spotlight on her homer only increased her personal social media traffic.
“I usually answer everybody, but at that point, it’s not possible,” Leblanc said.
Luckily, Leblanc’s teammates like Jorge have been there to help her manage her newfound attention, showing the first baseman how to turn off notifications on Instagram for every new follower and message. Jorge said she could tell her friend was feeling swamped with the influx of social media interactions.
Jorge has also helped Leblanc not take the social media responses so seriously, but instead to look at the popularity as a blessing in the moment.
“Honestly, we just laugh at a lot of the responses,” Jorge said. “We just enjoy it. It’s something so funny, even if it’s a good moment, we’re just like ‘What is life now?’ Kind of in awe of it. It’s cool to look at it and see it together for our successes and our team’s successes.”
Leblanc’s fans haven’t just shown up on social media, but also in person. The first baseman is now being recognized more outside of games, and especially after the games at Robin Roberts Stadium. She admitted she’s more of a “low-key” person who likes to stay in her bubble, but makes sure to also give attention to fans hoping to interact with her.
“I really appreciate the love from the fans and everything, but it’s not something that I’m used to right now. I don’t know if I’ll be used to it by the end of the season,” Leblanc said. “Going back home [to Quebec] is going to be another really, really overwhelming situation, too, because I know people are waiting for me back home. Trying to manage all that and staying calm in those situations.”
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She’s also turned to San Francisco coach is Matt Williams, an MLB World Series champion, four-time Gold Glove and four-time Silver Slugger award winner. Williams played for 16 years, then served as a manager or coach for another decade. He’s advised Leblanc to stay open to fan interactions, but to prioritize her mental health amidst all the chaos.
Leblanc also formed a close friendship with teammate Kelsie Whitmore, who is arguably one of the most famous WPBL players this season. Whitmore was the No. 1 overall pick in the WPBL draft, and she also suited up for the Savannah Bananas, who consistently sell out stadiums around the country.
The Firebells captain has helped Leblanc be more selective with fan interactions so the experience doesn’t get too overwhelming.
“I came here and Matt really helped me put my head in the right space,” Leblanc said. “My teammates as well, Alexia and Kelsie really helped me find the right mental state and just focus on what’s coming next. I’m feeling pretty good.”
While Leblanc continues to adjust to the personal spotlight, her focus remains on the Firebells and the playoffs. She won’t let the social media reactions and fan interactions distract her from the goal at hand: win the inaugural WPBL championship.
“It’s an adaptation that I need to have, and the season is short here,” Leblanc said. “It’s going to come with time. But, for now, it’s just trying to stay focused on what really matters. Yes, the fans matter, I love all of them, but right now we’re focused on winning a championship and putting the effort towards that.”
The Firebells will open up their postseason on Wednesday, Sept. 9, against the Boston Hunters.
