Ultra cool article on women's baseball...

[NotAboutEgo]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/suncommentary/la-op-ring27aug27,1,722450.story?coll=la-headlines-suncomment


Why Shouldn't Girls Play Baseball?
It's time for the U.S. to stop discouraging girls from the national pastime.
By Jennifer Ring, JENNIFER RING, a professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Reno, is the author of "Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don't Play Baseball," to be published next year.
August 27, 2006


IF YOU'RE A baseball fan, you should know what took place Aug. 1-6. Eighteen American baseball players flew to Taipei, Taiwan, as the best women's team in the United States — and returned to Los Angeles as the best women's team in the world.

You didn't know that? The Japanese media covered the tournament, held at Tienmu Baseball Stadium, that included teams from Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Cuba and the U.S. But there was no ESPN booth, no U.S. reporters, and it was difficult to find news of the games even online, which probably explains why you missed hearing about the tournament. What a shame.

ADVERTISEMENT
This year's U.S. team fielded some returning veterans from the inaugural 2004 team that competed in Edmonton, Canada. It included members of the Colorado Silver Bullets professional team of 1994-97. The team's two youngest members are 15 years old, and the oldest will be 40 this year. The team was coached by Julie Croteau, the first woman to play on a men's NCAA baseball team (St. Mary's College of Maryland) and the first woman to coach a men's Division I baseball team (University of Massachusetts). Now she is the first female manager to win a gold medal at the Women's World Cup Tournament.

My 18-year-old daughter, Lilly Jacobson, was a member of Team USA. She was selected after a three-stage national tryout. Neither of us had ever heard of a national women's baseball team — or of any organized women's baseball in the U.S. — until research for a book I'm writing led me to Jim Glennie, president of the American Women's Baseball Federation. When he learned that Lilly played high school ball, he invited her to try out for the team.

Lilly has played baseball with boys all her life, right through high school. After she completed Little League, coaches at the next level and parents who thought she shouldn't squander her athletic talent pressured her to switch to softball. My daughter resisted because she's good at baseball and loves the skills the sport demands — fielding agility, base-running savvy and hitting a hard ball. To Lilly, baseball is simply a more exciting, intricate game, with a long and colorful history.

It also promises fame and fortune to boys talented enough to play professionally. Girl players eventually realize they are excluded from that dream.

Still, a few girls play baseball anywhere they can despite tremendous cultural resistance. My daughter switched high schools in our hometown of Reno to escape a coach who told her she wasn't good enough to play on his team. To protect her from such discrimination, we moved her to a school where the coach encouraged her to play.

The women on Team USA have similar stories to tell. Malaika Underwood, a 25-year-old from San Diego, "interviewed" four high school coaches before she found one who would give her a tryout. Molly McKesson, a Florida 20-year-old, played high school baseball on the same team as her brother, but when he graduated, the coach became, in the words of her mother, "an abusive jerk." Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Hunter is a gifted pitcher, but her Florida high school insists that she play softball. Jane Uh, also 15 and entering her junior year at a Riverside high school, has had a relatively smooth ride so far. She played junior varsity baseball, is the only girl on a travel-ball team and will try out for the varsity team this year. Her explanation for sticking with baseball is the same as my daughter's: "Baseball's better, forget softball."

Most girl players forget baseball when they move on to college. Lilly is a freshman at Vassar — and on the golf team. Meggie Meidlinger, the other 18-year-old on Team USA, gained famed last spring after pitching a perfect game against a boys' team. Sports Illustrated and USA Today chronicled her feat. She is now a freshman at Virginia Tech, unsure of what sport to pursue.

The irony is that the birthplace of baseball is alone in discouraging girls' and women's baseball. Japan has a nationwide women's program, from Little League through college. Most of the members of the Canadian team play together all year. The Australian team had practiced since April. Only the U.S. team had been together for less than a week when the tournament began. Yet, after losing the first game to Canada, Team USA won the next five games to capture the World Cup.

But a troubling question lingers: Is it too frightening to admit that girls can play baseball?

[bluezebra]

Girls and women can mostcertainly play baseball. The problem in this country, is that the average fan compares women's sports with men's sports, and not accept them on their own merits. I umpired three of the Silver Bullets games, and after losing the first two games, they were permitted to use aluminum bats in the third, and gave the men's team a 'whuppin'". There were fair crowds at those games, but unfortunately, not enough overall, and the team folded after three seasons.

It's the same with basketball. Personally, I prefer the women's NCAA and WNBA games to the men's The women play basketball, not put on a "show". The most consistent criticism of the women, is, "They can't dunk". No, but they pass the ball, work for the god shot, and even play defense. Yet, they don't draw anywhere near the men.

If people would accept women's sports for themselves, and not compare them to the men's, it would be a better world.

Bob

[NotAboutEgo]

Girls and women can mostcertainly play baseball. The problem in this country, is that the average fan compares women's sports with men's sports, and not accept them on their own merits. I umpired three of the Silver Bullets games, and after losing the first two games, they were permitted to use aluminum bats in the third, and gave the men's team a 'whuppin'". There were fair crowds at those games, but unfortunately, not enough overall, and the team folded after three seasons.

It's the same with basketball. Personally, I prefer the women's NCAA and WNBA games to the men's The women play basketball, not put on a "show". The most consistent criticism of the women, is, "They can't dunk". No, but they pass the ball, work for the god shot, and even play defense. Yet, they don't draw anywhere near the men.

If people would accept women's sports for themselves, and not compare them to the men's, it would be a better world.

Bob

I agree with you 100%. I really enjoy watching the WNBA as well, but I get very bored with the NBA. I went to a Pistons game during the playoffs last season, and although it was fun just being there, I found myself being very bored with the game itself. It was the same ole' play throughout the game... nothing exciting... guys just trying to dunk all the time and make a show. I kept asking my friend, "What happend to all the 'little things' I was taught when I started playing basketball... the picks, the plays, more skills being used besides running the ball up and down the court the same way and trying to dunk?" I enjoy watching those "little things" happening, but the Pistons game was void of them. And, I am very put off by all the traveling that is allowed just to make a show. It used to be that a player was allowed to take a step and a half to do a lay up. At least in the NBA, they are allowed to take about 3 steps to dunk, make a lay up, whatever.

The same kind of thing applies to baseball. Some people say they aren't interested in women's baseball because women "can't" hit 400 foot homeruns. If that's all someone is interested in seeing, why don't they just have homerun contests all the time (BORING)? I really enjoy seeing the little things in baseball as well... bunting, stealing, the suicide squeeze, strategy other than trying to hit homeruns, sacrifice hits to move runners up and score them instead of trying to get a basehit for yourself for your own stats, etc.

When people see women's baseball, they comment on how we focus on all aspects of the game... the way it's suppsed to be played, not making it a show, being serious about what we do, and doing the "little things." They say that's why they enjoy seeing women's baseball, and amateur baseball for that matter, over pro baseball.

Why do men always have to be the benchmark for women in sports?

[pitcher23]

Why do men always have to be the benchmark for women in sports?[/QUOTE]

I agree that women's sports are judged by the men's counterpart. This is the wrong way to look at them, in my opinion. One of the big comments I hear about women who have been asked about playing baseball is they don't think they can hit the ball coming in fast. They are basing that opinion on what they have seen on TV for the most part. In fact, there are not very many women who, at this point, are able to throw with the velocity of men. That doesn't mean that women's baseball is any less of a game. If anything, it is more of a game because the little things are more important. Women's sports should be judged on their own merit without concern of how it compares to the same men's sport. Because of the little things, the women's sports are more enjoyable to watch and coach.

[NotAboutEgo]

Why do men always have to be the benchmark for women in sports?

I agree that women's sports are judged by the men's counterpart. This is the wrong way to look at them, in my opinion. One of the big comments I hear about women who have been asked about playing baseball is they don't think they can hit the ball coming in fast. They are basing that opinion on what they have seen on TV for the most part. In fact, there are not very many women who, at this point, are able to throw with the velocity of men. That doesn't mean that women's baseball is any less of a game. If anything, it is more of a game because the little things are more important. Women's sports should be judged on their own merit without concern of how it compares to the same men's sport. Because of the little things, the women's sports are more enjoyable to watch and coach.

I agree with you except for the comment about most women not being able to throw as hard as men. Are you generalizing about this, or are you talking about comparing the best female baseball players/pitchers compared to the best male baseball players/pitchers?

Based on my baseball-playing experience, which includes playing with BOTH men and women... all non-pro's, the women can throw just as hard, for the most part, as the men. Yes, I have experienced playing with some men who can flat out throw harder than most of the women I've played with/against, but generally, women are very competitive with men in terms of velocity.

Pitcher23, you throw somewhere in the low to mid 70's... right? Well, the top female pitchers throw well into the 70's and some can even throw into the low 80's, and one would think that the more females have baseball-playing opportunities and have more opportunities to get solid instruction, playing experience, etc., these numbers will go up. The average velocity for adult female pitchers, based on my playing experience, is 60-65. The average for non-pro, non-collegiate level adult male pitchers is probably in the high 60's to low to mid 70's (this is based solely on what I have seen while playing with/against men), so there's not a huge difference. And yes, the size/core strength thing does come into play here and does make the difference.

BUT, that doesn't mean women's baseball, or women's sports of any kind, are inferior to men's baseball or other men's sports. Whoever said that speed/velocity is everything? I'd rather see more talent, polished skills, good use of strategy and situations, excellent mechanics, excellent fundamentals, terrific work and playing ethics, striving to be the best one can be and working hard to achieve that, and a terrific, positive attitude over sheer speed/velocity.

Some women who've played on my team can out throw (distance-wise and velocity-wise) some excellent amateur male players I have seen (two of the people I am speaking of were at the same baseball workout a couple of years ago, and the female out threw the male hands-down... the male is in his early 20's and the female is in her mid 30's).

[pitcher23]

I should have been more clear in my previous reply - from the women I have talked to, their opinion as to whether they could hit a fast pitch was based on what they have seen primarily on TV. I haven't seen where women have had the velocity that is seen typically on televised games - yet. I mentioned velocity only because that was one of the biggest concerns when talking with women who haven't had the experience of playing baseball, only softball. I firmly believe that girls/women who have had or will have the same lifelong opportunity to play baseball have/will develop the same skills and velocities that men have developed over their lifetime. When women get the same opportunities to play baseball from day one, they will be as skillful as the male counterpart. I agree velocity has little to do with being successful. Executing the little things will allow a far better success rate than just being able to throw hard. I have seen and played with women who are far better in the skills necessary to play baseball than a lot of males.

[NotAboutEgo]

I should have been more clear in my previous reply - from the women I have talked to, their opinion as to whether they could hit a fast pitch was based on what they have seen primarily on TV. I haven't seen where women have had the velocity that is seen typically on televised games - yet. I mentioned velocity only because that was one of the biggest concerns when talking with women who haven't had the experience of playing baseball, only softball. I firmly believe that girls/women who have had or will have the same lifelong opportunity to play baseball have/will develop the same skills and velocities that men have developed over their lifetime. When women get the same opportunities to play baseball from day one, they will be as skillful as the male counterpart. I agree velocity has little to do with being successful. Executing the little things will allow a far better success rate than just being able to throw hard. I have seen and played with women who are far better in the skills necessary to play baseball than a lot of males.

I know that a lot of female players already possess the same types of skills that men have. Perhaps they aren't quite as good as the pro's yet, but it's just because of the fact that they aren't pro's (not simply because they are female). As far as velocity goes, I don't know if women will be able to throw in the 90's to 100's, but then again, who knows.

Still, it doesn't mean women's baseball is inferior to men's baseball, and women's baseball shouldn't constantly be compared to men's baseball... like you said.

[bluezebra]

In fact, there are not very many women who, at this point, are able to throw with the velocity of men.

Either does Greg Maddux, and I enjoy watching him PITCH, not throw.

Bob

[Padday]

Would teams do some scouting among womens games? I mean if you look around out there, I'd bet that there would be some women who would be able to do a lot better than most of the men in the major leagues.

One thing that men don't have to worry about is breaking any sort of barrier. It's just a case of if your good enough you can play.

But with women players, you don't just have to be good enough, you have to be spectacular just to stand out and be noticed ahead of all the average standard men.

Although playing ability should be top of the peiorities in terms of picking players, gender preference still trumps it. It will be a great day when women are a common sight in baseball.

[NotAboutEgo]

Would teams do some scouting among womens games? I mean if you look around out there, I'd bet that there would be some women who would be able to do a lot better than most of the men in the major leagues.

One thing that men don't have to worry about is breaking any sort of barrier. It's just a case of if your good enough you can play.

But with women players, you don't just have to be good enough, you have to be spectacular just to stand out and be noticed ahead of all the average standard men.

Although playing ability should be top of the peiorities in terms of picking players, gender preference still trumps it. It will be a great day when women are a common sight in baseball.

You are so right, Padday. There are so many men in the Majors who are just average and even below average, yet they are in the Majors making millions. I always ask my baseball-nut friends how they think they can even make it to the Majors, and they shake their heads like I do. When I go to the top women's baseball tourneys in the U.S. (the top out of what exists at this point), I see so much talent and skills, it amazes me... and I smile. If there are "average" and/or inexperienced players there, I presume they are there for the fact that they love the game and want experience. But, when people like that find out what exceptional talent there is there, they can get very intimidated.

It just seems that when women play baseball at higher levels (through my experiences, at least), they are incredibly serious about playing, and their talent and skills are exceptional. Shouldn't this be the case in the Majors and other pro leagues around the world (not sure how the pro leagues are in countries other than the U.S.)? How do those below-average, mediocre players slip through?

After all, they are pro's and that's what they do for a living... unlike females who have to have "real" jobs on top of playing baseball (hasn't always been the case).

We will see more women in baseball soon... as teams and leagues keep popping up all over the place and with the sponsored international competitions. Just takes time and work to get it going, and it's happening as we speak!

Are there any women's teams in Ireland at this time?

[Dominican Hope]

In my country (Dominican Republic) we don´t have team of girls in baseball, only basket and sofball, in think girls have potential to make a profesional baseball team , and is sad in our countries( countries that have a culture of baseball) didnt exist initiative to create or to promote a really league for women.

[NotAboutEgo]

In my country (Dominican Republic) we don´t have team of girls in baseball, only basket and sofball, in think girls have potential to make a profesional baseball team , and is sad in our countries( countries that have a culture of baseball) didnt exist initiative to create or to promote a really league for women.

Actually, your country does have some sort of a women's national team which played an American team within the last 2 years in the Dominican. Below is the article from the American team's web site:

Lady Spirit a big hit in Dominican Republic

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Lady Spirit a big hit in Dominican Republic
By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent

Baseball is the undisputed king of sports in the Dominican Republic. With many high profile major league players — including Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez from the world champion Boston Red Sox — hailing from that country, baseball is often referred to as the country's unofficial religion.

Still, when 18 members of the Lady Spirit women's baseball team recently made a goodwill tour to that country to play the Dominican National team, nobody on the squad was prepared for the overwhelming support they received everywhere they went.

How the baseball-crazed country would respond to the women's game was answered early on. The first clue that this trip was going to be anything but ordinary came when their American Airlines flight touched down in Santa Domingo. Politicians, television crews and reporters were on hand to greet the American women.

"In my 49 years of coaching, this was the most awesome trip I've ever taken," said Lady Spirit head coach Ken Perrone. "We had close to 4,000 people at one game, and 3,000 came out to see another. That was incredible compared the number of fans we get at Fraser Field (in Lynn, the Lady Spirit's home field).

"The Dominicans treat it like an American football game. There was Spanish music playing and people dancing in the stands. Before the fourth inning at one game, a drum and bugle corps came onto the field to perform, much like a band would do at halftime of a football game."

Lady Spirit owners Nick Lopardo and Al Melanson put the team up at the Occidental Grand Flamenco Resort in Porta Plata, where they also played a game in the local stadium.

The Lady Spirit won all four games they played, but the Dominicans came close to pulling off a couple of victories. Often, a three-hour bus ride was needed across mountainous roads to get to games, but the women also had plenty of time to sightseeing.

In the first of two contests in the city of Bonoa, the Lady Spirit posted a thrilling 8-7 victory. Emily Hunt had two hits, including a long double, and pitched two innings of relief to get the save. The Dominican team had runners on second and third in the last inning with nobody out when first baseman Karen Masiello turned a double play to end the threat.

In the second game, also in Bonoa, Katherine Hanna and Jen Pantalone split the mound duties in a 12-4 win. Naomi Herlick and Christine Burrill lead the offense with two hits apiece.

Then there was another close game won by the Lady Spirit in Game 3, 6-5, in Porta Plata. Cheryl Milligan had a clutch 2-run double and also starred on the mound. Once again, the Dominicans had two runners in scoring position in the final inning with no outs when Hanna came on in relief to shut the door.

The Lady Spirit trailed, 5-2, heading into the sixth inning, but scored five runs in each of the final two frames to rally for a 12-5 win in Lavega in the fourth and final game. Hanna hurled five scoreless innings, striking out eight and surrendering two hits.

But baseball wasn't the only thing. The biggest part of the trip was bringing gifts for the fans and children in the school the team visited. Hats, Lady Spirit and USA T-shirts, baseballs, miniature helmets, shoes, catcher's gear and bats were all given away to the Dominicans.

"We had all these things going through customs and dragging around to the various cities," said Perrone. "But what made it all worthwhile was how appreciative they were. The people there don't have much, but they are so friendly and welcomed us with open arms.

"Of course, being from Boston helped. They told us the night the Red Sox clinched the World Series they were all out in the streets dancing and partying all night long."

For Beverly High teacher Megan Sudak, an outfielder on the team, the highlight was going to an elementary school and seeing the children.

"The whole trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life," said Sudak, who videotaped the trip to share with her students. "We gave away so much stuff. It was heartbreaking to see the lack of resources they have in the schools. It's a whole different world, but they're trying to do the best they can.

"I'll never forget one little boy who came up to me after a game to ask for my autograph. He gave me the biggest hug, and I started crying, I was so moved."

Although most of the people in the towns packed the stadiums to see the Americans and treated the players like rock stars, the fields were not maintained the way they are around here.

"We played at one park where David Ortiz and (Red Sox shortstop) Orlando Cabrera used to play that made Fraser Field look like Fenway Park," said Sudak, who was a two-sport captain at Beverly High and is now the JV softball coach there.

"After every game, we all went out to dinner together and exchanged gifts before we left. I made friends I'll continue to converse with through e-mail. It was very encouraging to see how much the people care about women's baseball. Hopefully, they'll come here to play us next summer."

http://www.nawbl.com/pressroom/Coverage/index.cfm?ac=details&NewsID=145

[NotAboutEgo]

Article from the American Women's Baseball Federation web site:

Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has a women's baseball program started approximately 2002. The New England Lady Spirit travel team went to Santo Domingo in 2004 for a series of games.

The Dominican women's team played strong baseball according to Robin Wallace who traveled as a player with the Lady Spirit.

http://www.awbf.org/internationalteams.htm

[Padday]

You are so right, Padday. There are so many men in the Majors who are just average and even below average, yet they are in the Majors making millions. I always ask my baseball-nut friends how they think they can even make it to the Majors, and they shake their heads like I do. When I go to the top women's baseball tourneys in the U.S. (the top out of what exists at this point), I see so much talent and skills, it amazes me... and I smile. If there are "average" and/or inexperienced players there, I presume they are there for the fact that they love the game and want experience. But, when people like that find out what exceptional talent there is there, they can get very intimidated.

It just seems that when women play baseball at higher levels (through my experiences, at least), they are incredibly serious about playing, and their talent and skills are exceptional. Shouldn't this be the case in the Majors and other pro leagues around the world (not sure how the pro leagues are in countries other than the U.S.)? How do those below-average, mediocre players slip through?

After all, they are pro's and that's what they do for a living... unlike females who have to have "real" jobs on top of playing baseball (hasn't always been the case).

We will see more women in baseball soon... as teams and leagues keep popping up all over the place and with the sponsored international competitions. Just takes time and work to get it going, and it's happening as we speak!

Are there any women's teams in Ireland at this time?
There aren't any women's teams and the few women there are that play get mixed into the men's team. But then again it isn't professional at the top level and teams generally put whoever they've got onto their teams.

[Dominican Hope]

Actually, your country does have some sort of a women's national team which played an American team within the last 2 years in the Dominican. Below is the article from the American team's web site:

Lady Spirit a big hit in Dominican Republic

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Lady Spirit a big hit in Dominican Republic
By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent

Baseball is the undisputed king of sports in the Dominican Republic. With many high profile major league players — including Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez from the world champion Boston Red Sox — hailing from that country, baseball is often referred to as the country's unofficial religion.

Still, when 18 members of the Lady Spirit women's baseball team recently made a goodwill tour to that country to play the Dominican National team, nobody on the squad was prepared for the overwhelming support they received everywhere they went.

How the baseball-crazed country would respond to the women's game was answered early on. The first clue that this trip was going to be anything but ordinary came when their American Airlines flight touched down in Santa Domingo. Politicians, television crews and reporters were on hand to greet the American women.

"In my 49 years of coaching, this was the most awesome trip I've ever taken," said Lady Spirit head coach Ken Perrone. "We had close to 4,000 people at one game, and 3,000 came out to see another. That was incredible compared the number of fans we get at Fraser Field (in Lynn, the Lady Spirit's home field).

"The Dominicans treat it like an American football game. There was Spanish music playing and people dancing in the stands. Before the fourth inning at one game, a drum and bugle corps came onto the field to perform, much like a band would do at halftime of a football game."

Lady Spirit owners Nick Lopardo and Al Melanson put the team up at the Occidental Grand Flamenco Resort in Porta Plata, where they also played a game in the local stadium.

The Lady Spirit won all four games they played, but the Dominicans came close to pulling off a couple of victories. Often, a three-hour bus ride was needed across mountainous roads to get to games, but the women also had plenty of time to sightseeing.

In the first of two contests in the city of Bonoa, the Lady Spirit posted a thrilling 8-7 victory. Emily Hunt had two hits, including a long double, and pitched two innings of relief to get the save. The Dominican team had runners on second and third in the last inning with nobody out when first baseman Karen Masiello turned a double play to end the threat.

In the second game, also in Bonoa, Katherine Hanna and Jen Pantalone split the mound duties in a 12-4 win. Naomi Herlick and Christine Burrill lead the offense with two hits apiece.

Then there was another close game won by the Lady Spirit in Game 3, 6-5, in Porta Plata. Cheryl Milligan had a clutch 2-run double and also starred on the mound. Once again, the Dominicans had two runners in scoring position in the final inning with no outs when Hanna came on in relief to shut the door.

The Lady Spirit trailed, 5-2, heading into the sixth inning, but scored five runs in each of the final two frames to rally for a 12-5 win in Lavega in the fourth and final game. Hanna hurled five scoreless innings, striking out eight and surrendering two hits.

But baseball wasn't the only thing. The biggest part of the trip was bringing gifts for the fans and children in the school the team visited. Hats, Lady Spirit and USA T-shirts, baseballs, miniature helmets, shoes, catcher's gear and bats were all given away to the Dominicans.

"We had all these things going through customs and dragging around to the various cities," said Perrone. "But what made it all worthwhile was how appreciative they were. The people there don't have much, but they are so friendly and welcomed us with open arms.

"Of course, being from Boston helped. They told us the night the Red Sox clinched the World Series they were all out in the streets dancing and partying all night long."

For Beverly High teacher Megan Sudak, an outfielder on the team, the highlight was going to an elementary school and seeing the children.

"The whole trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life," said Sudak, who videotaped the trip to share with her students. "We gave away so much stuff. It was heartbreaking to see the lack of resources they have in the schools. It's a whole different world, but they're trying to do the best they can.

"I'll never forget one little boy who came up to me after a game to ask for my autograph. He gave me the biggest hug, and I started crying, I was so moved."

Although most of the people in the towns packed the stadiums to see the Americans and treated the players like rock stars, the fields were not maintained the way they are around here.

"We played at one park where David Ortiz and (Red Sox shortstop) Orlando Cabrera used to play that made Fraser Field look like Fenway Park," said Sudak, who was a two-sport captain at Beverly High and is now the JV softball coach there.

"After every game, we all went out to dinner together and exchanged gifts before we left. I made friends I'll continue to converse with through e-mail. It was very encouraging to see how much the people care about women's baseball. Hopefully, they'll come here to play us next summer."

http://www.nawbl.com/pressroom/Coverage/index.cfm?ac=details&NewsID=145

thanks for the info:gt

[NotAboutEgo]

thanks for the info:gt

You're welcome!

[Malibuhk22]

I am a 25 year old female who has been wanting to get into baseball for sometime now.... my friend plays in the National Adult Baseball Association and he tells me all the time that I am a better player than most of the guys on the team.... I went to the manager and asked if I might try out for the team but he told me that because of the insurance rules and paperwork they sign at the beginning of the season, it allows women not to play.... Are there women's baseball leagues out there, besides the USA team?? I have always played with the men (I even play on men's only softball teams) and honestly I would prefer to play with men over women, personally I think it's more fun.... :)

[NotAboutEgo]

I am a 25 year old female who has been wanting to get into baseball for sometime now.... my friend plays in the National Adult Baseball Association and he tells me all the time that I am a better player than most of the guys on the team.... I went to the manager and asked if I might try out for the team but he told me that because of the insurance rules and paperwork they sign at the beginning of the season, it allows women not to play.... Are there women's baseball leagues out there, besides the USA team?? I have always played with the men (I even play on men's only softball teams) and honestly I would prefer to play with men over women, personally I think it's more fun.... :)

Hi Malibu,

Where do you currently live? If there is a women's league in your area, you can join simply by contacting them. I can help you with the info of finding a team/league... depending on where you live. If there's not a women's league close enough to you, you can either start a women's league or play in women's tourneys for other teams. If you're in a region that has some women's teams close enough to travel to, you can create a team and then play those teams. For example, my team in Detroit travels to Chicago, South Bend, Indiana, Cleveland, Toronto, etc. to play the teams there. Some players who play in leagues also play in tourneys with their regular teams or with other teams. For instance, I'm playing with the Chicago Gems in the women's portion of the Roy Hobbs World Series in Ft. Myers, Florida at the end of October. In a lot of cases, the women's teams playing in tourneys are in need of more players to fill roster spots.

I'm not so sure about what the manager from the NABA team told you about women not being able to play because of insurance reasons and paperwork. That sounds like a cop out and an excuse for not letting women play. I have heard of many women playing in leagues such as the NABA, the MSBL, local city leagues, etc.

Is there an MSBL team in your area? What about city baseball leagues that allow women to play? You would most likely enjoy playing in women's leagues as much as playing in men's leagues. It's been a very fulfilling and worhtwhile experience for me and for the other female players I know.

[_sasha]

What a strange world we live in! Women can certainly play baseball if we want to!

[Charger567]

I don't get it. Why shouldn't women's baseball be compared to mens?

[NotAboutEgo]

I don't get it. Why shouldn't women's baseball be compared to mens?

Women's sports should not be compared to men's sports because women's sports are women's sports... period. Women have their own set of benchmarks, and comparing those to men's has no point. Men's sports are seen as being superior to women's sports, as is the case with many things, but the only thing that men's sports have over women's sports is that the core strength and size issues come into play, making it possible for men to hit farther, throw harder and farther, and run a bit faster. I am speaking of men's collegiate and pro sports compared to women's collegiate and pro sports (this isn't always the case with amateur sports).

There is a lot more to being successful at baseball than just having power. You can have more power than anyone, but if you don't have good mechanics, good fundamentals, don't have much hand-eye coordination and don't have much general coordination, you won't get far. When you compare mechanics, technique, performance, fundamentals, ability, talent, outcome, etc.... it would be "equal" for both women and men. So, as I stated in the previous paragraph, the only things that come into play that separate men's sports from women's sports is the core strength and size issue. But, it doesn't mean women aren't just as good and just as smart as men just because their bodies are smaller and don't have as much muscle mass.

Would men want to constantly be compared to women all the time, when it comes to baseball and other sports? Why do women always have to live in the shadows of men? Why can't we have our glory based on the best of the best amongst women without having to constantly be compared to men?

I see the male ego/thoughts of superiority/insecurity as the fault for this.

Would you think it's OK to constantly compare black baseball players to white baseball players and segregate them based on color of skin? If not, why would you think it's OK for it to happen with women's baseball?

[Mattingly]

Since I've never watched an all-women's team, what are the speeds of their various pitches? From their fastball, curve, off-speed, etc. For amateurs only, from LL, HS through college. Also, the "Saturday in the park" types.

Do they throw all the same pitches as men? They play "chin music" much? Throw balls out of the zone to see if the hitter will chase it?

If looking at an all-women's team vs an all-men's team in the same age range and category, what are some of the differences you'll see, as far as plays being executed in one that you wouldn't likely see in another?

Thx. :)

[Padday]

I just remembered this a second ago but guess who has the world record for the fastest solo sail around the world?

Ellen McArthur. A woman.
Just thought I'd say.;)

[NotAboutEgo]

I just remembered this a second ago but guess who has the world record for the fastest solo sail around the world?

Ellen McArthur. A woman.
Just thought I'd say.;)

Thanks, Padday.

[NotAboutEgo]

Since I've never watched an all-women's team, what are the speeds of their various pitches? From their fastball, curve, off-speed, etc. For amateurs only, from LL, HS through college. Also, the "Saturday in the park" types.

Do they throw all the same pitches as men? They play "chin music" much? Throw balls out of the zone to see if the hitter will chase it?

If looking at an all-women's team vs an all-men's team in the same age range and category, what are some of the differences you'll see, as far as plays being executed in one that you wouldn't likely see in another?

Thx. :)

I can't answer all of your questions, Mattingly, because I don't have the info on all of it, but I can answer some of them based on my playing and watching experience.

Most women pitchers that I have seen throw in the 60's (fastball). Some (probably most) who throw in the 50's (and even higher than that) could significantly increase their fastball velocity by learning and adopting proper mechanics (also observed from my experience by teaching pitching mechanics to some of my team's pitchers who added 5-10 miles an hour just from 30 minutes of work). I added 15 miles an hour to my fastball by taking lessons from a former pro. I wasn't using proper mechanics before, and by learning and practicing them, I was able to increase my velocity and improve immensely.

I have seen, in person, women pitchers who can naturally throw in the 70's (3 were on my team, and I have played against others), and some can throw in the low 80's. Now, just think of how these and other females with the natural ability to throw hard would do with if given more baseball-playing opportunities.

I'm not sure what the speeds are on off-speed pitches and breaking balls. You would have to contact individual teams and leagues (as far as I know), because the stats mongers aren't covering women's games like they cover men's games. My instructor told me that I should have a 10 mile an hour difference (at least) between my fastball and my off-speed pitches. Still working on slowing down my change-up a bit.

Yes, women throw the same pitches as men... 2-seam and 4-seam fastballs, curves, change-ups, sliders, cutters, etc.

The more experienced pitchers aren't afraid to throw inside, they try to get hitters to chase pitches, they milk the corners, etc. For example, two of my strengths are milking the outside corner on a right handed hitter and using the hitters' weaknesses to get them out (if they love swinging at the high, inside ones but can't hit them, that's probably all they will see from me until they prove they can hit them). If I have trouble with fooling a hitter and getting her/him out, I may change pitches on every pitch to try to keep them guessing. I have been very successfull with that... even against guys... and I don't throw hard.

I don't really see any difference in certain plays being executed in men's games vs. women's games and vice-versa. It's about experience, knowledge of the game and situations, the players, the managers and coaches, how good the team is, etc. but isn't about gender.

[Mattingly]

Very interesting read, Not About Ego. I must say that caught me as being impressive.

Would it be OK if I'd asked you if you were a woman? Since you'd mentioned pitching also, which I presume you still do, I thought that this would be a relevant question. I haven't been around here in awhile.

Anyway, as to women playing, do they have some of the types that men players have? Such as leadoff hitters who steal and walk a lot? Lots of throws to bases? Catchers throwing people out at 3B when they lean off a base too much? People stealing HRs by catching the ball before it goes over the fence?

Lastly, perhaps I'm missing something, but on the topic of women players not be compared to men, what type of playing characteristic that's often expected of the men would it not be fair to expect the women to duplicate? Would this be the so-called "aggressive" behavior, such as breaking up the DP with a hard (but clean) slide into 2B? Or things of that nature? I'm just trying to get a better idea of how you and others felt on this.

Thx. :)

[NotAboutEgo]

Very interesting read, Not About Ego. I must say that caught me as being impressive.

Would it be OK if I'd asked you if you were a woman? Since you'd mentioned pitching also, which I presume you still do, I thought that this would be a relevant question. I haven't been around here in awhile.

Anyway, as to women playing, do they have some of the types that men players have? Such as leadoff hitters who steal and walk a lot? Lots of throws to bases? Catchers throwing people out at 3B when they lean off a base too much? People stealing HRs by catching the ball before it goes over the fence?

Lastly, perhaps I'm missing something, but on the topic of women players not be compared to men, what type of playing characteristic that's often expected of the men would it not be fair to expect the women to duplicate? Would this be the so-called "aggressive" behavior, such as breaking up the DP with a hard (but clean) slide into 2B? Or things of that nature? I'm just trying to get a better idea of how you and others felt on this.

Thx. :)

Yes, it's fine to ask if I'm a woman. The answer is yes, and I have been playing organized baseball since 1999.

Women do the same things as men do in baseball. Asking those questions... if we do the same things... is not the problem. The problem arises when people state that women baseball players are inferior to men baseball players because they can't hit 400 foot homeruns, they can't throw 90+ miles an hour, they can't do this, and they can't do that. All of these are things I've seen being posted many times on this forum, and I hear it when talking about women playing baseball with people.

Our question is... why can't people just accept the fact that women DO play baseball, we set our own benchmarks, we can do everything men can do, but why can't we talk about it with others without someone mentioning male baseball players, what they can do, all that? Why can't we have a conversation with people just about women who play baseball, what they achieve, about their experiences, where women's baseball is going, etc.?

[Mattingly]

Yes, it's fine to ask if I'm a woman. The answer is yes, and I have been playing organized baseball since 1999.

Women do the same things as men do in baseball. Asking those questions... if we do the same things... is not the problem. The problem arises when people state that women baseball players are inferior to men baseball players because they can't hit 400 foot homeruns, they can't throw 90+ miles an hour, they can't do this, and they can't do that. All of these are things I've seen being posted many times on this forum, and I hear it when talking about women playing baseball with people.

Our question is... why can't people just accept the fact that women DO play baseball, we set our own benchmarks, we can do everything men can do, but why can't we talk about it with others without someone mentioning male baseball players, what they can do, all that? Why can't we have a conversation with people just about women who play baseball, what they achieve, about their experiences, where women's baseball is going, etc.?
I appreciate your allowing the questions. :)

In that case, I presume that where you play, the rules are exactly the same for women as for men, right? Is this a college? Amateur adults' league? Since you'd mentioned your involvement since 1999, I presume the latter.

Now then, what size park do the women play in? How deep are the fences? Many HRs being hit there, or mostly singles and doubles?

I've seen a few other sports in which men & women participated (basketball, powerlifting, golf, etc), and I generally wouldn't expect the women to compete at the same physical level. I'm more inquiring on what they do, since I haven't observed women's baseball much, compared to why they don't play to the same physical level as the men.

In men's baseball, a well-placed hit would be one that is in the gap, or down the LF or RF line, rolls all the way to the wall. Anything up the middle past the SS or 2Bman (or woman) is a good hit also. What are some of the "good hits" you often see made by women?

[NotAboutEgo]

I appreciate your allowing the questions. :)

In that case, I presume that where you play, the rules are exactly the same for women as for men, right? Is this a college? Amateur adults' league? Since you'd mentioned your involvement since 1999, I presume the latter.

Now then, what size park do the women play in? How deep are the fences? Many HRs being hit there, or mostly singles and doubles?

I've seen a few other sports in which men & women participated (basketball, powerlifting, golf, etc), and I generally wouldn't expect the women to compete at the same physical level. I'm more inquiring on what they do, since I haven't observed women's baseball much, compared to why they don't play to the same physical level as the men.

In men's baseball, a well-placed hit would be one that is in the gap, or down the LF or RF line, rolls all the way to the wall. Anything up the middle past the SS or 2Bman (or woman) is a good hit also. What are some of the "good hits" you often see made by women?

Yes, the rules are exactly the same. The only things that may change would be roster issues... allowing a few more batters to hit (usually up to 11 or 12), allowing a DH for both pitchers and catchers, allowing a different offensive and defensive lineups. These things are done, in certain tournaments and games, where there may not be a lot of games played. For example, if a league only has a 12-game season, roster rules may be modified to allow more playing time for everyone. Most tourneys follow the same roster rules as the American League, but there have been some that allow for EH's.

I currently play in women's leagues, in women's tourneys, and in coed/Detroit Tigers Fantasy Camp games. There are modified rules in the camper games, due to the ages of some of the players... no stealing, no bunting, modified leading off, etc. For the women's game, everything goes by MLB American League rules.

Women play in the same parks as men do... using the same fences, the same basepaths, the same pitching mounds, etc. There are some homeruns hit over the fence but there are more inside the park homeruns hit. There are a lof of singles, doubles, and triples, and a lot of deep fly balls that clear the outfielders.

The good hits by women are the same as the good hits by men... up the gaps, down the lines, clearing the outfielders, up the middle, good, solid line drives up the middle, etc.

We play the same game the same way minus a ton of over the fence homeruns and adding more "small" ball... bunting, strategic stealing, doing more of the "little things."

[Mattingly]

Thanks for the wealth of info, Not About Ego. Appreciate it.

An EH is an extra hitter? I've never known that catchers had a DH also. By this, I would presum that the catchers are mostly defensive players who call a good game, right? Since you'd mentioned no no bunting, should I presume that in either all-womens' teams or co-ed, that players aren't allowed to knock the catcher silly charging into home plate? Is block of the plate allowed, or is a "swipe tag" more acceptable (or whatever is defined in the league manual)? Lastly, is charging into home plate more allowed when a man is catching, then when a woman catches?

As to the DHs themselves, are they sluggers? Hi-OBP players who draw lots of walks? Someone who does this primarily, as her defensive skills may be lacking? Or simply pick a name out of the hat to see who's the day's DH?

As to the camper games, are the women younger or older? If older, approximately what are the ages of the players, both women and men? Are the rules changed if, say, you've got a 40+ year-old woman, opposed to having younger women in their late 20s?

Hopefully, not too many questions. Some things intrigue me, so I just tend to ask away. :)

[Baseball Mum]

I appreciate your allowing the questions. :)

In that case, I presume that where you play, the rules are exactly the same for women as for men, right? Is this a college? Amateur adults' league? Since you'd mentioned your involvement since 1999, I presume the latter.

Here in Australia, the rules are exactly the same as the mens/boys comps of a similar age. IOW, pitching and catching restrictions are age related, and if a junior is playing in a senior comp, the pitch count or number of innings cought are restricted based on their age. Juniors also can't pitch and catch in the same game, but that is a general rule here, not a women's rule.

The only relaxed rule here is for women playing in 3rd grade major league in the winter - they can use aluminium bats while the men use wooden, whereas all other major league (under 18 through to first grade) have to use wooden no matter what sex. (Last winter there were only 3 women playing in major league in my city, so it doesn't affect a large number.)

[/QUOTE]Now then, what size park do the women play in? How deep are the fences? Many HRs being hit there, or mostly singles and doubles?[/QUOTE]

Here in Australia, the women play on the same grounds as the men, and the boundaries remain the same. My daughters play on the Olympic Diamond that was used for the Sydney Olympics - there is no shortened boundary.

The women's games do see more singles doubles and triples than a mens game, but not many (mind you, I'm not used to seeing a lot of hit HR over the fence in mens here either)

[/QUOTE]In men's baseball, a well-placed hit would be one that is in the gap, or down the LF or RF line, rolls all the way to the wall. Anything up the middle past the SS or 2Bman (or woman) is a good hit also. What are some of the "good hits" you often see made by women?[/QUOTE]


Same in the women's. There is nothing to say that anyone with timing and the right mechanics and an eye for what is needed can't place the ball to find the gaps. Hits over the heads of the outfielders also gain valuable bases without necessarily going over the fence.

[Baseball Mum]

Thanks for the wealth of info, Not About Ego. Appreciate it.

An EH is an extra hitter? I've never known that catchers had a DH also. By this, I would presum that the catchers are mostly defensive players who call a good game, right? Since you'd mentioned no no bunting, should I presume that in either all-womens' teams or co-ed, that players aren't allowed to knock the catcher silly charging into home plate? Is block of the plate allowed, or is a "swipe tag" more acceptable (or whatever is defined in the league manual)? Lastly, is charging into home plate more allowed when a man is catching, then when a woman catches?

As to the camper games, are the women younger or older? If older, approximately what are the ages of the players, both women and men? Are the rules changed if, say, you've got a 40+ year-old woman, opposed to having younger women in their late 20s?

Hopefully, not too many questions. Some things intrigue me, so I just tend to ask away. :)

Here in Australia, you'd be called out if you don't slide into home if the ball is coming in at the same time. But that's the same for women's or mixed (we have virtually no comps designated 'mens only' here.) It makes no difference whether the catcher is male or female.

I don't know of any comp here that limits bunting.

Here there'd be no allowance in a regular comp for the age of the players once everyone is 18. :laugh Oh, that is of course unless it's a muck around gala day like our club has between the summer and winter seasons where we get a team of the Mums together and make up our rules as we go along - the team bats through no matter how many outs; a designated runner (teenage girl) can run for an older, overweight or just plumb tired batter, starting from the 1st base dugout door on the crack of the bat; we have as may in the outfield as want to go there; etc. Ahhh, it's lots of fun for a day. :laugh

[NotAboutEgo]

Thanks for the wealth of info, Not About Ego. Appreciate it.

An EH is an extra hitter? I've never known that catchers had a DH also. By this, I would presum that the catchers are mostly defensive players who call a good game, right? Since you'd mentioned no no bunting, should I presume that in either all-womens' teams or co-ed, that players aren't allowed to knock the catcher silly charging into home plate? Is block of the plate allowed, or is a "swipe tag" more acceptable (or whatever is defined in the league manual)? Lastly, is charging into home plate more allowed when a man is catching, then when a woman catches?

As to the DHs themselves, are they sluggers? Hi-OBP players who draw lots of walks? Someone who does this primarily, as her defensive skills may be lacking? Or simply pick a name out of the hat to see who's the day's DH?

As to the camper games, are the women younger or older? If older, approximately what are the ages of the players, both women and men? Are the rules changed if, say, you've got a 40+ year-old woman, opposed to having younger women in their late 20s?

Hopefully, not too many questions. Some things intrigue me, so I just tend to ask away. :)

You're welcome. The no bunting is for the Tigers fantasy camp games, NOT for women's baseball. Women play full-fledged baseball... bunting, stealing, leading off, etc.

Yes, and EH is an extra hitter.

There are no rules for not charging into the catcher, as far as I know. I've been charged into while catching in both men's and women's games. I've never known there to be any rules about that, unless it's flat out flagrant and obvious that the runner is trying to hurt the catcher. And, you can block the plate. There are no modified rules, at least where I've played, that don't allow charging and blocking. I even go as far as trying to take the 2nd baseman out to break up a double play.

No, charging isn't allowed more when a man is catching. If you're on the field, you're fair game, regardless of who you are. Like I said, I've been charged into by both males and females. One guy tried to run me down in a fantasy camp game when I had the ball before he was 2/3 to the plate, and I stayed low and put my shoulder into him. Guess what happened to him... he went flying through the air, landed on his face, and broke his nose. I got out of it with a bruised finger. He was the laughing stock of camp after that... not because he tried to run a woman down, but because he tried to run a catcher down when he clearly was out and the catcher flattened him, then he had the gull to complain about it.

This is something I try to follow always... one shouldn't presume anything.

The DH's would be the better hitters who can slug the ball. Also, they aren't lacking defensively, for the most part. It's all part of the strategy. Why would you put someone in who can't hit, get on base, or simply just draw out of the hat? If a pitcher or catcher can hit better, why would you have someone hit for them? The DH is something that doesn't have to be used but can be if a team chooses to use it, and it has to be specified before the game starts. The purpose of this is to save the pitchers and catchers, since they aren't as abundant as infielders, because women's games are almost always double headers. 14 innings is a lot to play in one day. Being on the field for around 7 hours a day is very draining.

For the camper games, there are no rule changes for ages or genders... except in the case of a 70 or 80 year old person who has never played the game before and is there to live out their fantasy. In that case (still isn't a rule), the pitcher shows respect to the person by not throwing hard, and in some cases, they move closer to the plate and may throw underhand. This is simply done to give them a chance to hit and get on base.

Camper games are very different than regular baseball. There is such a mix... young and old and in between, guys who've played high school, collegiate, and minor league ball, people (men and women) who've never played a game in their lives but love baseball, people with a huge range of ability and skill level and experience, etc.

Oh, I forgot about a runner for those who have problems running. A person who has problems running because of health, age, a handicap, whatever, can have a person run for them.

Other than that, there are no special rules for ages, and there aren't any rules based on gender... period. The women who go to camp are of all ages... young and old. Most are younger or are middle-aged, and most are very compettive and are better than at least 75% of the guys there. If guys try to give us a break because we are women, we make them eat it.

The camper games I play in during the summer are much more competitve than the games at the formal fantasy camps. The people who play, for the most part, are the younger, better, more able-bodied players.

[NotAboutEgo]

Here in Australia, you'd be called out if you don't slide into home if the ball is coming in at the same time. But that's the same for women's or mixed (we have virtually no comps designated 'mens only' here.) It makes no difference whether the catcher is male or female.

I don't know of any comp here that limits bunting.

Here there'd be no allowance in a regular comp for the age of the players once everyone is 18. :laugh Oh, that is of course unless it's a muck around gala day like our club has between the summer and winter seasons where we get a team of the Mums together and make up our rules as we go along - the team bats through no matter how many outs; a designated runner (teenage girl) can run for an older, overweight or just plumb tired batter, starting from the 1st base dugout door on the crack of the bat; we have as may in the outfield as want to go there; etc. Ahhh, it's lots of fun for a day. :laugh

Thanks for the info, BB Mum.

The playing rules sound similar in Australia, but in Australia, there doesn't seem to be the male ego problem like there is here. How nice that would be!!!

I have heard some umps say you have to slide into home on a play at the plate, but it's not a global rule and isn't written in stone. It seems to depend on the umps and the teams that are playing and what they decide. It's to prevent injuries, obviously, and isn't gender-specific.

[NotAboutEgo]

Many women's teams here in the U.S. play in college stadiums and in minor league stadiums. Last year, my team played at Eastern Michigan University, and the season before (2004) we played at Madonna University's brand new baseball field, which is just as good as any Minor League/Major League field I've played on. One of the Detroit women's teams played at Western Michigan University this summer.

Women have no problem playing in these places (it's so nice!), but the problem comes with the cost of renting them. They are usually $100-$200 or more per day, then you have ump fees (around $200 for a DH) and all that.

The tourney that will take place in Ft. Myers at the end of this month will be played at the Minor League facilities of the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox (most games on the practice fields and some games in the stadiums).

My team has played in Coveleski Stadium in South Bend, Indiana (Minor League stadium) and in historic Tiger Stadium, and other women's baseball events are also played in collegiate, Minor League, and Major League stadiums (the Women's World Championship, the Women's World Series tourney at Disney this coming weekend, individual games, the Ft. Myers tourney, the first Women's World Series was played at the Skydome in Toronto, etc.). There's a women's club team at Saint Mary's University/Notre Dame in Indiana, and they use the baseball field there (as far as I know).

[Mattingly]

I'll have to reply a bit later on, but that's quite a bit of helpful info I hadn't known before about women's baseball.

[JeepingBaseball]

Women indeed can play. Here's an incredible example of dedication women have towards the game:

The 24 hour game back in 2003 was played at the spring training faciltilty of the Arizona Diamonbacks and the Chicago White Soxs: Tucson Electric Park Stadium. It seats about 11,000 people. Dimensions: Center-field is 405', and Left/right-field foul lines is 340'.

Only thing modified for this event was the rotation of 72 women as we played 24 hours, non stop, of regulation hardball with the allowance of aluminum bats.

After 24 hours, and 64 plus innings, the final score was 127 - 111 with the African gray Birds defeating the Red Eye Nites.

(3 years later and i'm still peeved about the inaccurancy of what the press reported of this historical game)

[NotAboutEgo]

Women indeed can play. Here's an incredible example of dedication women have towards the game:

The 24 hour game back in 2003 was played at the spring training faciltilty of the Arizona Diamonbacks and the Chicago White Soxs: Tucson Electric Park Stadium. It seats about 11,000 people. Dimensions: Center-field is 405', and Left/right-field foul lines is 340'.

Only thing modified for this event was the rotation of 72 women as we played 24 hours, non stop, of regulation hardball with the allowance of aluminum bats.

After 24 hours, and 64 plus innings, the final score was 127 - 111 with the African gray Birds defeating the Red Eye Nites.

(3 years later and i'm still peeved about the inaccurancy of what the press reported of this historical game)

What are the inaccuracies? I wasn't able to play in this event.

[JeepingBaseball]

The press reported the score wrong, the 1st pitch wrong, the amount of money raised wrong, the offical length of the game wrong, and several names in the caption of photos wrong. And said press wasnt even there, the information was obatained over phone or rumors and submitted photos got mumble jumbled and they got the names of who was who mixed up.

Trivial to some, but this game went into the archives library of the baseball hall of fame in coopertown... you want the facts straight. It was the longest baseball game ever known to be played.

[NotAboutEgo]

The press reported the score wrong, the 1st pitch wrong, the amount of money raised wrong, the offical length of the game wrong, and several names in the caption of photos wrong. And said press wasnt even there, the information was obatained over phone or rumors and submitted photos got mumble jumbled and they got the names of who was who mixed up.

Trivial to some, but this game went into the archives library of the baseball hall of fame in coopertown... you want the facts straight. It was the longest baseball game ever known to be played.

Jeez, what a great way to get "facts". SOunds pretty typical of the press. Seems that someone would have been there covering the game, but then again, it was a women's game.

[Mattingly]

Which press was there for that game? AP? Did anyone contact the newspapers to issue corrections? Or contact the HoF in Cooperstown?

[JeepingBaseball]

Which press was there for that game? AP? Did anyone contact the newspapers to issue corrections? Or contact the HoF in Cooperstown?

It was the combination of the press from all over the country... from LA to NYC to the small paper in Tucson. I believe it made the press in Japan and Australia as we had 5 women from Japan join us, and 1 from Australia.

BHoF, got the sources to the game directly from us and the organizers of the event.

[Mattingly]

It was the combination of the press from all over the country... from LA to NYC to the small paper in Tucson. I believe it made the press in Japan and Australia as we had 5 women from Japan join us, and 1 from Australia.

BHoF, got the sources to the game directly from us and the organizers of the event.
Thanks. Nice to know that the journalism schools are pumping out their finest students to games of importance. :o :(