Softball: Throwing like a girl

Softball season is underway and girls everywhere are out there practicing their skills. So you probably know that if you’ve ever been told “You throw like a girl,” it means your throw kinda sucks.

The “girl throw” refers to a wimpy style a lot of girls seem to have. Girls often face the target with their forearm cocked back and the ball in their upturned palm. Then they throw with just the arm (rather than the whole body). The action is usually limited to a quick extension of the forearm. Essentially, girls tend to “push” the ball rather than hurl it.

Well, before we go any further – let’s get one thing straight. Girls can throw. In fact, many girls can throw harder and faster than a lot of guys. Softball players like Jennie Finch can pitch a ball close to 90 miles per hour.

Some people think the reason for the “girl throw” is based on physical differences between guys and girls. Not. If you ask an orthopedist, an anatomist, or a coach of a women’s softball team, they’ll tell you that there is no anatomical reason why boys and girls throw differently.

Read more

Throwing it back:12 year old girl sues over milestone baseball

A 12-year-old Florida girl who grabbed a historic home run ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard over the summer has her prize back after suing the team for its return.

According to the AP, the July home run against the Florida Marlins was Howard’s 200th and that hit homer made Howard the fastest player in Major League history to reach that milestone.

The ball sailed into the outfield seats, where it was scooped up by Jennifer Valdivia.  The young baseball fan  was escorted to the Phillies clubhouse by team employees where the ball was exchanged for an autographed one.

But the family cried foul over a deal the Phillies made with their daughter and they requested the home run ball’s return.  Jennifer wanted to take the ball home and show her friends. Howard wanted the ball because it represented a record.

“In a classic bait-and-switch operation, the defendant Phillies tendered to young Jennifer a signed Ryan Howard baseball, which has a value on the memorabilia market of $150,” the suit said, “as compared to the historic baseball, which is worth thousands.”

She also got some cotton candy.

Through their lawyer, the family told the Phillies they wanted the HR ball returned. The initial counter offer was for tickets to a Phillies-Marlins game.

The regular season ended this weekend and the family filed a lawsuit  which got the prompt response and the return of the ball.

Despite the ball’s value, the family attorney said, “The ball is not on eBay. It’s under her pillow.”

The lesson in this? Don’t ever let a bunch of Major League hooligans take advantage of you.  And if you do manage to get a ball, don’t drop it or throw it back.

Natalie Gulbis throws out first pitch at A’s game

We’ve written about a lot of ladies throwing out the first pitch this baseball season.  LA Sol Soccer player Marta,  golfer Michelle Wie,  and Sparks players Delisha Milton Jones and Tina Thompson graced the blue carpet by throwing out the first pitch at a Dodger Game.  Serena Williams showed up to toss the pitch out at a recent Yankees game while  Jackie Joyner Kersee and Cammi Granato had the honors at a pair of Chicago games. And tonight, golfer Natalie Gulbis threw out the first pitch at an Oakland Athletics game.

So that got us thinking? What’s the story behind the ceremonial first ball? According to Wikipedia, the first pitch is a longstanding ritual of American baseball in which a guest of honor (dignitary, celebrity, former player, etc.) throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from his/her place in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team. At some point, this morphed into the guest standing in front of the pitcher’s mound and throwing towards (but rarely reaching) home plate, though sometimes he or she may stand on the mound (as a pitcher would). The recipient  is usually a player from the home team.

Tonight’s pitch looks like a fast curve ball.  You throw, girl.

Marta throws out first pitch at Dodgers game

Los Angeles Sol striker Marta plays with the baseball as if it were a soccer ball before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch in Dodger Stadium at the MLB National League baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, California, August 17, 2009.

Blue Carpet: Los Angeles Sparks

You throw, girl.

Over the weekend,  golfer Michelle Wie threw out the first pitch at the Dodgers Game.

Not sure how we missed the fact that last Wednesday, Los Angeles Sparks forwards and 2008 Olympians Tina Thompson and Delisha Milton Jones were similarly honored. The pair were featured during the Dodger’s Olympic celebration.

As part of the night’s festivities, Tina and Delisha also got a chance to throw the first pitch of the game.

Pics and video

Earlier in the season, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Sports Illustrated’s Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century and winner of three gold, a silver and two bronze Olympic medals and  Cammi Granato, who captained the U.S. Women’s Hockey team to the gold medal at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games threw out ceremonial first pitches at games in Chicago.

Nice to see these female athletes getting some attention.

Golfer Michelle Wie throws out the first pitch

On Saturday, August 8th, golfer Michelle Wie threw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium when the Los Angeles Dodgers played the Atlanta Braves.

Before taking the mound, 19-year old Michelle took part in a putting contest against Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton in the dugout!

She said she was having a great time this year on the LPGA tour as a rookie, and was honored to be selected to the US Solheim Cup team.

Check out more pictures from the day.

Weekend Sports June 11-14

Looking for sports to watch this weekend? Here are some choices:

Tennis
June 8-14, Aegon Championships, London, UK
June 8-14, Gerry Weber Open, Halle, Germany

Golf
June 11-14, PGA St. Jude Classic, Memphis, Tenn.
June 11-14,  McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola

Track & Field
June 10-13,  NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships

BMX
June 13-14, The ABA First State Nationals,  Milford, Delaware.

FRIDAY JUNE 12

NHL
STANLEY CUP FINAL Game 7
Pittsburgh v. Detroit, 8 pm

WNBA (All Access)
Los Angeles Sparks v. Indiana Fever, 7 p.m.
Seattle Storm v. Minnesota Lynx, 8 p.m.
Atlanta Dream v. Chicago Sky, 8:30
Phoenix Mercury v. Sacramento Monarchs, 10 pm

MLB
Minnesota v. Cubs, 2:20pm
Detroit v. Pittsburgh, 7:05pm
Red Sox v. Phillies, 7:05pm
Braves v. Orioles, 7:05pm
Mets v. Yankees, 7:05pm
Cardinals v. Cleveland, 7:05pm
Florida v. Blue Jays, 7:07pm
Nationals v. Rays, 7:38pm
Dodgers v. Texas, 8:05pm
White Sox v. Milwaukee, 8:05pm
Cincinnati v. Kansas City, 8:10pm
Seattle v. Colorado, 9:10pm
Houston v. Arizona, 9:40pm
San Diego v. Angels, 10:05pm
Oakland v. San Francisco, 10:15pm

NPF
Pride v. Bandits 7:05pm

SATURDAY JUNE 13

NBA
Lakers @ Magic 8:00pm (Championship Game?)

NPF
Pride v. Bandits 7:05pm

WNBA (All Access)
New York Liberty @ San Antonio 8:00pm
Sacramento Monarchs @ Phoenix Mercury 10:00pm

WPS
Chicago Red Stars @ Washington Freedom 4:30pm
Los Angeles Sol @ Sky Blue FC 7:00pm (NBCU)

MLB
Twins v. Cubs,  1:05 pm
Marlins v. Blue Jays, 1:07 pm
White Sox v. Brewers, 4:05 pm
Mets v Yankees, 4:10 pm
Cardinals v. Indians, 4:10 pm
Nationals v.  Rays, 6:08 pm
Braves v. Orioles, 7:05 pm
Red Sox v. Phillies, 7:05 pm
Tigers v. Pirates, 7:05 pm
Reds v. Royals, 7:10 pm
Dodgers v.  Rangers, 8:05 pm
Astros v. D-backs, 8:10 pm
Mariners Rockies, 8:10 pm
Padres v. Angels, 9:05 pm
Athletics v. Giants, 10:05 pm

SUNDAY JUNE 14

NPF
Pride v. Bandits 3:05pm

WNBA (All Access)
Atlanta Dream  @ Connecticut Sun 3:00pm
Seattle Storm @ Chicago Sky 6:00pm

WPS
Saint Louis Athletica @ Boston Breakers 6:00 pm

MLB
Mets v.Yankees, 1:05 pm
Marlins v. Blue Jays, 1:07 pm
Braves v. Orioles, 1:35 pm
Red Sox v. Phillies, 1:35 pm
Tigers v. Pirates, 1:35 pm
Nationals v. Rays, 1:38 pm
White Sox v.Brewers, 2:05 p.m.
Reds v. Royals 2:10 pm
Twins v. Cubs 2:20 pm
Dodgers v. Rangers, 3:05 pm
Mariners v. Rockies, 3:10 pm
Padres v. Angels, 3:35 pm
Athletics Giants 4:05 pm
Astros v.  D-Backs, 4:10 pm
Cardinals v. Indians 8:05 pm

Japan’s first female professional baseball player makes debut

Japan’s first female professional baseball player made her debut Friday, striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

Eri Yoshida, a 17-year-old who throws a sidearm knuckleball, took the mound during Kobe 9 Cruise’s 5-0 season-opening win over the Osaka Gold Villicanes in the newly formed Kansai Independent League.

The 5-foot, 114-pounder walked the first batter leading off the inning on four pitches and allowed a stolen base before striking out the next batter swinging at Osaka Dome. She was then replaced after facing two batters.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything other than just going out there and giving it my all,” said Yoshida, who is hoping to stick with the Kobe team. “I think this was a bad result but the stadium is great and the fans were really cheering me on. I want to be able to pitch more innings and become a pitcher who can be relied upon.”

Yoshida created a stir when she signed a contract in December. Some speculated the move was more of a publicity stunt to generate interest in the new league. There were 11,592 fans in the 45,000-seat stadium Friday.

Yoshida started playing baseball when she was in second grade and hopes to emulate Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Until now, no woman had played against men in Japan. A women’s professional baseball federation was established in 1950 but it stopped after two seasons.

The Cruise and the other three teams in the Kansai league are similar to American farm teams but still a huge step forward for this teen, who is making her pitch for the pros.

You throw, girl!

(via AP)

Japanese pro team signs 16-year-old female pitcher

November 17, 2008 – The Japanese are always on the cutting edge and this time they’re making headlines by signing the first woman to play pro ball in Japan.

Sixteen year old high school student Eri Yoshida was drafted by the Kobe 9 Cruise, a pro team in the Kansai Independent League that will launch in April.

With a side-armed knuckleball in her arsenal, Yoshida took part in a tryout held earlier this month and passed with flying colors. She threw a hitless inning against male batters during a tryout this month and was among 33 players picked in the draft.

“I always dreamed of becoming a professional,” Yoshida told a news conference Monday. “I have only just been picked by the team and haven’t achieved anything yet.”

At five feet, 114 pounds, Yoshida says her inspiration is fellow knuckleballer Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox.

A female professional baseball federation existed for a few years in the 1950s, but Yoshida will become Japan’s first-ever woman to play alongside professional male players.

No doubt we’ll be hearing much more about this young phenom in the future.

Ballgirls take to the field

October 28, 2008 – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know we’re in the midst of the World Series. The Phillies and Rays are tied 2-2 and Game 5 was suspended due to rain.

Most Phillies fans know that starting pitcher Jamie Moyer is a local guy who attended Souderton High School.

But many would be unaware of the other locals who take the field for each game at Citizens Bank Park.

The Bucks County Courier Times reports that three Phillies ballgirls have ties to the area and, though they may not be household names, they’re having the time of their lives.

Twenty-somethings Justine Pletnick, Laura Litzenberger and Lauren Economou have to pinch themselves whever they take to the field.

Pletnick is a physical therapy major at Temple University. This is her second season as a ballgirl. Litzenberger is a fourth-grade teacher at Durham-Nockamixon Elementary in the Palisades district. Economou, another teacher by day, ballgirl by night teaches art at Hatboro-Horsham High School.

“It feels like a dream come true,” said Pletnick. “I feel like a part of the team. I know it’s crazy, but I feel like I’m in the World Series.”

The group of 17 Phillies ballgirls were selected among 600 candidates. They work the foul lines during games and participate in various charity events, including softball games.

Aside from their duties on the field, the ballgirls travel to team charity functions and play in several softball games throughout the year.

On the other side of the field, the Ray Team rally the Tampa Bay fans. You won’t find these ladies – and two men – catching foul balls, though. Their duties include greeting fans, giving away prizes and sometimes dancing on the dugout.

Not everyone can play major league ball - and we certainly don’t want to discourage you from trying - but if you’re a fan who wants to be part of the action, or you want to tell your grandkids you were in the World Series, being a ballgirl might just be a way to fulfill your fantasy.

Next Page »