BASEBALL: Fact from Fiction

So for the last blog, I decided to conclude with something a little more fun. The main purpose of our project was to show how females are portrayed in sports, in my case particularly baseball.  After viewing various articles, pictures, and advertisements it was clear that the top three stereotypes of females in baseball are 1) Not at all 2) Butch, Dyke, and Lesbian Softball Player and finally 3) Glittery and Glamorous Baseball Wife.

The first three ESPN covers show the first stereotype:  Baseball is only for guys.  When I looked up "ESPN Baseball Covers"  there were no females portrayed except for the scantily clad image of Anna Benson lying naked in a pile of baseballs.  Clearly, baseball, the diamond of dreams and Americans favorite past time, is a sport that is strictly limited to Males.

The last image shows the last two stereotypes: The Butch, Dyke, and Lesbian image versus the Trophy Wife/Cleat Chaser image.

BASEBALL: Softball Stereotypes

In the following pictures we see females portrayed in a very masculine demeanor.  Softball, what we consider baseball for females, creates a more masculine stereotype.  Instead of the glamour, glitter, and shine we see with baseball wives, Softball players are generally viewed as butch or lesbian.

The pictures all show females playing softball. Through their expression, their physical appearance, and simply by how they stand, they each create a very masculine and dominant vibe.  They are all hardworking aggressive women who work hard to win hard.  

Besides from the butch and masculine look these females have, many associate softball players being lesbian.  Although there IS a good amount of lesbian softball players, this generalization should not be made for every softball player. These athletes are generally very built in the upper body with very strong defined arms, they have a manly look to themselves.  In many cases, a woman who can perform in a sport as well or better than a male, many would automatically associate them as being lesbian.  There is a sort of stigma created that says "if you aren't a male, you can't play sports..." 

It is very unfortunate that people associate playing softball as butch and gay.  Softball players are straight, gay, bi, and questioning.  They come in all sizes and shapes. Media should recognize all of these hard working and confident players as valued members of the team.

BASEBALL: Love on the Diamond

"Girls only like baseball because of good looking guys" Big Misconception.. I take this stereotype pretty personally.  Being that I LOVE baseball and have been following the Padres religiously for a while now, I often come across that stereotype that women only like baseball because of good looking guys or because they are cleat chasers.. Why does every female that happen to follow baseball, is passionate about a team, know the latest trades, and know all of the minor league farm teams AUTOMATICALLY make you a cleat chaser?  Females shouldn't be limited to the latest news that only deals with shoes, dresses, makeup, reality tv, etc.

I think its funny that when guys come up to me at a baseball game, they automatically assume that I know nothing about baseball.  Many times, guys get scared, intimidated or think its just plain weird that I know what a 3-6-1 double play is, a sacrifice bunt, or even more pathetically, what a strike out is.  Despite all this and my love for baseball, I won't deny that good looking players on the field does make baseball a little more enjoyable.  However, take the good looking players off of the field, I still love baseball more than any other sport.  You experience a type of adrenaline rush when you see a great play, strike out, save, etc.  

Now I will admit, out of all the baseball games I have been to within the past half a decade, it still does perplex me when I hear a girl ask her boyfriend, "Bob, whats a ball? Why is that guy out?  How many outs is there?"

Baseball is a game of rich tradition.  It is not only about precision but passion as well, not only strength but grace.  Baseball is more than a game for me... It is a lifestyle.

BASEBALL: Trophy Wife Stereotype.. The diamond isn't so glittery.

Trophy Wife 101

So lets begin by defining what  a "trophy wife is.." Definition: Trophy wife is a highly pejorative term, usually applied to a physically attractive younger woman married to a man who has a high level of success, be it physical, financial, or otherwise. Usually, the Trophy Wife is not the first wife of the man who has a high level of success and has little to do with the achievement of that success. The term "gold digger" is used to describe a woman who intentionally seeks this arrangement.

The picture above shows 4 beautiful ladies, all who happen to be married to the World Series Winning Yankee players.  From left to right, the photo includes the wives of AJ. Burnett, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, and Melkey Cabrera.  The second picture is a cover that shows Anna Benson, wife of Atlanta pitcher Kris Benson, laying naked in a pile of baseballs.  Anna Benson is perhaps one of the most noted or recognized "baseball wives."

THE SIDE THAT WE SEE: It's sad to say that when you think of baseball and females, one of the only stereotypes that you get is the "trophy wife" or "cleat chaser."   In the first picture you see four beautiful ladies married to star baseball players.  Many of the ladies lose their identity and are not recognized as themselves but as a collective whole, "the baseball wives."  Besides being married to a star baseball player, it is sad to say that no one really knows who these girls are.  People see these ladies as the pretty wives that watch their husband play ball.  These ladies live the glamorous life, walk down to the first rows next to the dugout with their 8 carat rock, place their Louis Vuitton purse atop of dozens of broken peanut shells, almost twist an ankle walking in their 5 inch stilettos with perfectly manicured toes, and always happen to have tight, toned, tan heavenly bodies. Some might stereotype these girls as being just dumb or ditzy beauty queens however in many cases, this is definitely not true.

THE SIDE THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT: Baseball player wives have to be independent ladies as their husbands are on the road literally 8 months of a year.  While their children are sick and suffer from disabilities, the wives are in charge of taking the kids to soccer practice and school.  When "hot baseball wife" Anna Benson gets the call that her husband has been traded, she is in charge of moving the family (kids, house, pets, etc.) On top of all of this, many baseball teams have a "baseball wives club."  These ladies get together and organize various community service events.  From creating raffles for the fans to working with various charities, these females try to use their slight stardom received from their husbands to do some kind of good.

The last picture of Anna Benson shows the sexualized side of baseball wives.  Anna Benson is lying in a pile of baseballs naked.  She is portrayed as just another object laying in the pile of balls. Her private parts are covered by the mere stitchings from the baseball. The side captions that show the theme of this edition include "hookups, hangouts, and hell raisers."  All three of these words give a negative connotation towards the baseball wife.  It suggests that she is used as just a hookup and takes away all her dignity.  One thing that the cover does not reveal is that Anna Benson was voted as one of the "hottest baseball wives." In a way, this creates the stereotype that you have to be "hot" in order to be a baseball wife.  The annual "hottest baseball wife" promotes a horrible message.  Women are not only demoralized but constantly scrutinized. It relays to the public that baseball wives are only there for sex, beauty, glamor, and as sexual objects for males to use and look at.

At the end of the day, I guess I could understand WHY people are quick to say that these females are JUST cleat chasers or trophy wives... The general stereotype when it comes to the world of sports is that male players are commonly associated as being womanizers... Sports stars, particularly MLB stars are notorious for being less than faithful being on the road 8 months of a year.  So if that is what these athletes are known for, why do these females stay in the unfaithful relationships?  Well of course everyones easy answer for this would be: "TROPHY WIFE.... or CLEAT CHASER!"

BASEBALL: Baseball no field of dreams for female athletes....

The main purpose of this blog is to show the different stereotypes women are portrayed as throughout various sports. Being that I am a HUGE baseball fan (FACT: I have not missed a Padres home game for 3 years) I thought baseball would be most appropriate. As I started brainstorming what I would write about, I came across a problem.... I realized "There really are NO females in baseball!"

With a total of 30 major league baseball teams (14 AL and 16 NL; not to mention the dozens of minor league teams) there are no teams that have a female baseball player. Why is this? I will admit that genetically, females do generally lack the physical attributes to play at the pro level but I am sure with proper training, there has to have been at least a handful who COULD have played with the guys... So why is this?

June 23, 1952 marks the day where all females were banned from the major and minor leagues. Although this ban, which is still effective today, prohibits all females from playing in the major and minor leagues, it does not stop them from participating in baseball teams at the college level or leagues apart of Independent Professional Baseball or Continental Leagues.

All in all, I think it is quite tragic that females are banned from playing in MLB and MiLB. Walt Whitman would say, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." Why should this limit players according to gender. Clearly race has never been an issue as teams scout players from dozens of Latin American countries daily. Like men, women who have equal talent and love for the game and are willing to live, eat, sleep, and sweat baseball, CAN play baseball with the men at the professional level.

BASEBALL: Striking the boys out...

Chelsea Baker

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!