13 y/o Girl from Plant City, FL strikes out Boys from her little league with deadly 60+mph knuckle ball.
Chelsea Baker Article
This video talks about how Chelsea Baker has overcome the many stereotypes that have been placed on her because she is a female who plays baseball. Based on the previous blog that I wrote, it is clear that females are usually undesired "on the diamond." Baseball has been Americas favorite pastime; however, that seems to be strictly limited to the male population, playing that is.
The fact that Baker is the only girl on an all boys little league baseball team shows how the gender differences and stereotypes start at an early age. Baker describes some of the stereotype remarks that she receives from not only her teammate but many parents as well.... From "You should stick to softball" to "You ain't never gonna be able to play with the boys" Baker does not let these comments cease her love for baseball; nor does it halt her ability to be one of the very few in both the little league and the major league to throw a knuckleball.
Baker should be an inspirational role model to all females who wish to pursue a career in baseball or simply just to be able to play ball with the boys. Baker not only has the rare talent and genetic/physical attributes to play ball, but she also has the thick skin and passion needed to play on an all boys team. By being recognized as such a superb ball player at the age of 13, Baker is paving the way for women's participation in pro baseball here in America and throughout the world. Throughout inspirational leaders like Baker, opportunities expand and girls and women are once again given the chance to dream about playing in the Big Leagues.
Play Hard and Dream Big!
If women should be able to play baseball with the men, should it also be that men can play softball with women? When physically, men have hit the ball further, and thrown it faster?
ReplyDeleteMy baseball team played against the girls softball tean during high school. It was pretty LoL We won 2-1. But they could definitely play.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, their was a 12 year old girl on a local little league team who hit 12 homeruns and led the league by 7 home runs. She definitely was not looked at in a different light because of her gender. I think it definitely has to do with tolerance and acceptance. She moved to softball the following year because she said she wanted to play in High School, and didnt feel she would get the fair chance at the higher levels to play.
Sad.
Right now she's a star. But, as she and the boys get older, the disparity between the level of physical ability increases. Now, from I have seen, she is throwing knuckle balls which, I beleive, is much easier on the shoulder, elbow, etc. than most other pitches. Who's to say that she couldn't go pitch in the AL some day. She could pitch, throw knucklers and not have to bat. I'm not saying it will happen and it clearly won't unless MLB changes its rule. But, if MLB does, I can certainly see it in the realm of possibility.
ReplyDelete