JUST ONE OF THE TEAM; IT'S ONLY THE INFIELDER'S PONYTAIL THAT GIVES HER AWAY.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

Andy Parsons looks just like the other Birmingham baseball players as they take infield practice before a game. Then Parsons removes the cap and adjusts the long, blondish ponytail.

In the stands, Myles Parsons invariably hears the question: Is that second baseman a girl?

Myles says nothing, but his smile tells all: Yes, that's my daughter.

Anduin (Andy) Parsons is the starting second baseman for Birmingham's junior varsity team, which ends its season today with a home game against Chatsworth.

Birmingham has a softball team, and Parsons constantly is asked to join. Her father said area private schools also have approached about her playing softball for them.

Andy's reason for declining is simple: She likes baseball.

``I tell them, `Thanks, but I'm happy where I am,' '' she said.

Parsons, a sophomore, considers baseball a different game with different rules. When she began playing five years ago as an 11-year-old at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park, she thought the boys played at a higher competition level.

The VNSO league president suggested she play softball because she wasn't skilled in baseball. Her response: ``I've never played, so of course I'm not skilled.''

Everywhere she has gone, from VNSO Park to Northridge Little League to Birmingham, male adults have suggested softball. She always declines, then plays baseball without a fuss - and without adult opposition.

Even Birmingham JV coach Matt Mowry thought maybe softball was the way for Parsons. He pointed out she could be a star softball player and earn a college scholarship.

``She said, `Nah, I don't like softball,' '' Mowry said. `` `I like competing with the boys.' ''

This season, she's batting about .250 for the 4-12 Patriots with eight RBI in the ninth spot in the lineup. ``I got there on my own,'' she said.

As far as the City Section is concerned, Parsons is more than welcome to play hardball.

``It's that whole gray area that softball and baseball aren't the same sport,'' section administrator Jeff Halpern said. ``If you have a girl who wants to play baseball and you have someone who's willing to put her on the team, that's good enough.''

The Birmingham team is pleased she's here. If there were any doubts she would fit in, they were erased when varsity player Billy McGrath played catch with her the first day.

``She's a lot better than some of the guys who tried out,'' McGrath said. ``She's not on the team because of publicity. She made it because she's good enough.''

In practice she's accepted, even by Michael Cardoza, a freshman who battled Parsons for the starting second base job. He won but moved to shortstop when another player got hurt.

``I was shocked and pretty frightened,'' Cardoza said. ``If she's a girl and she's here, she must be pretty good. I was frightened she'd get the spot. She always tries her hardest. She gives her all. Most players, halfway through practice, slack off.''

Except for that ponytail, Parsons looks like every other Birmingham ballplayer.

``They don't pay much attention to me,'' Parsons said. ``That's the way I like it. I don't stand out. It's just like being on a team.''

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Photo

PHOTO Birmingham High's Andy Parsons is the starting junior varsity second baseman. She has eight RBI in the ninth spot in the lineup.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News