Ria Cortesio, only female ump in pro baseball, works the Futures Games

[Mattingly]

Seemed like a nice article about a non-player.

Female ump gets Futures Game nod
Cortesio handles third base, left-field line at All-Star event (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060709&content_id=1549670&vkey=allstar2006&fext=.jsp)
PITTSBURGH -- The young ballplayers from all over the globe weren't the only ones hoping to make statements and favorable impressions with their professionalism in the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game at PNC Park.

For Ria Cortesio, it was a Sunday filled with meaning.

In her eighth year as an umpire and fourth season working Double-A games in the Southern League, Cortesio, 29, handled third base and the left-field line as the U.S. beat the World stars, 8-5.

Cortesio, the only woman umpire in organized baseball, is hoping to open doors for others to follow her in a pursuit she was determined to undertake as far back as high school. But she in no way considers herself a trail blazer in the fashion of Pam Postema, who called balls and strikes with passion in the 1980s.

"Until I work a regular-season Major League baseball game, I haven't done anything," Cortesio said, "I don't want to be a pioneer. I just want to do my job.

"It really doesn't make any difference [being a woman] on the field -- or even off the field. I do feel a great responsibility to get girls and women involved."

[NotAboutEgo]

GO, Ria Cortesio, and all other girls and women out there who are fighting for their place in the male-dominated sports world as well as in other areas that are male-dominated!!!

I'm not here trying to bash males, but I'm rooting for women and the ones who are not afraid to rock the boat and sink it!!!

[Brian McKenna]

I'm not here trying to bash males, but I'm rooting for women and the ones who are not afraid to rock the boat and sink it!!!

than i will tell you flat up your approach is off-base and the old adage applies - you get more flies with honey than vinegar

until you get it - the struggle in your mind and with others (if you continually male bash in casual conversation) will continue - i wish you well in your pursuit because i support it and you are obvously passionate about it but you have a hard time going two straight sentences without alienating 50% of your audience

just my two cents

[NotAboutEgo]

That is your perception, bk. If you think that every time a woman mentions something about an activity being male-dominated as male-bashing, then you are the one who is taking the wrong approach. I am simply rooting for women who are not afraid to stand out and do something they love to do even though they put up with a lot of slack about it. When I write these posts, I am not in a bad mood or anything, so it's your perception that is seeing it wrongly. Let's face it... MLB is very much a good ole' boys network, and when a woman (or anyone for that matter) has the balls enough to brave the hail storm to do something she loves, it deserves applause. That's all I was saying... simply stating the facts about what is happening. Maybe your perception is off a bit.

[Comm]

WHAT HAS THE WORLD SUCCUMB TO!!!!!!!!!!

Just another lefty push.

[Comm]

If I see a woman umpire, I'm just going to change the channel.

[NotAboutEgo]

Comm, you have the right to change the channel if you want because you are not open minded enough to watch a woman umpire and let go of your insecurities enough to do that. However, the world will not stop revolving because of your view. Things will continue to advance, AND, women will do anything they want to do, despite narrow-minded views. Why are you so against female umpires?

[NotAboutEgo]

It's too bad you don't allow yourself to grow as a person, Comm.

[Brian McKenna]

If I see a woman umpire, I'm just going to change the channel.

Ridiculous statement...Is that how you talk to your wife and/or daughter or is it just easier to express yourself at a keyboard?

[NotAboutEgo]

I agree with you about your question to Comm, BK. I'm sure the same people who say such things are the same ones who don't have a problem demanding someone to do something for them and getting mad if they don't "obey."