Why is Baseball Sacred Territory?
My kids are both in intermediate school, which in our district means grades 3rd-5th. We are in a very “small-town” type of district, but I have been quite pleased with the activities offered to my kids both in academics and sports. My children have been able to participate in every sport they fancied until now.
Let me backup a little and say that the main thing my youngest child wanted for Christmas was her own baseball glove. She became interested in baseball out-of-the-blue this summer and being a former little leaguer myself, I have been indulging her in hours of playing catch and swinging a bat. It was a no-brainer to place a pink leather glove under the tree for her this year.
Snow and cold weather have hampered our playing time a little over the last few weeks, so I was really excited to get a note home from school yesterday about a free, one day baseball camp being held for grades 3rd-5th in the school gym. Excited - until I got to the last word on the note. It said for 3rd-5th grade boys. I find this a little disturbing since up until now all of the other sports camps have either been divided into all-male/all-female groups or mixed. I’m not going to say whether separate or mixed is better, but I believe there should at least be an equivalent option for girls. If there’s going to be a baseball camp for boys, then either have one for the girls or make it co-ed.
Girls can play baseball, too. I’m speaking from experience here. I played Little League baseball when I was her age and I was darn good at it. Not softball, mind you, but baseball - with the boys. And I could keep up with them, easily. I played all positions, even pitcher and I can swing a bat from the right or left side. I can even hit the ball over the fence.
At this point I want to commend the YMCA for providing sports for both boys and girls in mixed and separate divisions. My kids have been on both types of teams and have enjoyed every second of it. They didn’t give a second thought to whether their teammates were boys or girls. I even coached a mixed soccer team for two seasons and not one of my boys ever put down my girls for “being a girl”. They played as teammates. Gender didn’t matter. At our local YMCA, the girls can play on the baseball team. We will be signing up for the spring season soon.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Spring is coming up very soon. Baseball registration, at all levels, comes up now and in the next few week across North America.
You can sign up at Little League; Cal Ripken or Babe Ruth; Protect our Nations™ Youth (PONY); if you are already skilled enough - from playing Baseball or Softball - you have the opportunity to try out for American Legion Baseball.
If you are fortunate enough and interested in playing in All-Girls Baseball there are a few opportunities to consider in the USA, Canada and Australia.
if you have a local Recreation & Park league - or one of the other community organizations such as Boys & Girls Club or Police Activities League (PAL); YMCA or JCC: you have every right and opportunity to sign up for BASEBALL:
NO PERSON OR ORGANIZATION CAN PREVENT YOU FROM SIGNING UP FOR AND PLAYING HARDBALL BASEBALL IN ANY COMMUNITY LEAGUE THAT EITHER RECEIVES PUBLIC FUNDING OR PLAYS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.- EVEN IF THEY HAVE A SOFTBALL PROGRAM JUST FOR GIRLS!
Also, in Middle and High School, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, you always have the option of trying out - but making the team is at the discretion of the coach whether a boy or girl tries out. Even though some states have rules that are there to intended on preventing girls from trying out - because they THINK having a Softball team is the same thing - but it isn’t: there are ways to challenge it at the school site level: you and your parents should talk with your school Principal and Athletic Director for their support.
Visit our site for links to many Youth Baseball and some All-girls Baseball leagues and tournament teams:
http://www.girlsbaseballleague.com and
http://www.girlsbaseballleague.org
We have a link back to the girscantwhat.com web page so you can get back easily!
http://www.girlsbaseballleague.com
January 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Good information, Jim. Thanks!
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