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)

November 17, 2008

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.

Need some new cheers to get you pumped? Feel free to cut and paste some of our favorites.

Apple, peaches, pumpkin pie
Hit that ball and make it fly.

See that batter at the plate
She’s the best in the state
She has spirit, she has pride
Too bad for you she’s on our side.

Hit it hard
Hit it fast
Knock that pitcher on the grass.

She may be tall but she can hit the ball
She’s got tower power wow (x2)
She may be tall but she can CRUSH the ball
She’s got tower power whew (x2)
(submitted by Laurinda)

She’s a home-run hitter and you’re never going to get her
so give up (stomp, clap) x2 repeat
(submitted by Laurinda)

(Player’s Number) is her number
(Name) is her name
She’s part of the reason
We’re going to win the game
Whoa(x2)
Yad-yadee yadee yo
Goochy goochy goo
Uh-huh ya
(submitted by Laurinda)

Mighty mighty (name) repeat
Rip it up the alley repeat
Run around the bases repeat
Start us up a rally! repeat

(when at bat)
We’re gonna make you shiver (repeat)
We’re gonna make you shake (repeat)
We’re gonna keep on pushin (repeat)
To see what you can take (repeat)

(Batter’s name)’s in the box
She’s pullin’ up her socks!
Got a home run on her mind
and WOO! shes lookin’ fine

We heard it through the grapevine
Your team was mighty tough
But when it comes to softball
Your team ain’t tough enough
Everybody clap your hands (clap 2x)
Everybody stomp your feet (stomp 2x)
Hold up wait a minute let me put some booty in it
Booty booty booty BOOTY.

If you wanna (clap clap) Ride this train (clap clap)
Get up (clap clap) And play our game (clap clap)
I said a 1, 2, 3, 4
Look out we hit and score
5, 6, 7, 8
We don’t stop till we hit home plate
9, 10 – Here we come again.

(A Foul Ball)
You got a piece of it
But we want it all
Hit it to the outfield
BUST that ball!

Rip it up the middle
Rip it down the line
Rip it, get a base hit
RIP IT EVRY TIME!

She may be little
She may be small
But ooh Baby, she can bust that ball

We don’t wear no mini skirts
All we wear is softball shirts
We don’t drink no lemonade
All we drink is Gatorade
We don’t play with Barbie dolls
All we play with are bats and balls

We are slowly putting pressure
on the pitcher and the catcher
(repeat faster and louder each time)

Extra Extra read all about it
Pitcher walked a batter
Now we’re gonna shout it (repeat)

Hey batter, better take a hike
‘Cause Pitcher’s Name’s gonna pitch a strike!