Comments on: Why is Baseball Sacred Territory?

By: Jim Nemerovski

Jim Nemerovski — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:24:33 +0000

After years of following this issue, gender bias and inequity and inequality, it seems to come down to a couple of practical issues:

- Professional educators and free market trainers and coaches plug into the respective worlds of sports: they don’t make waves or use initiative outside of the respective boxes. They are more inclined to advance the existing trajectories of Baseball for Boys and Softball for Girls because they have great difficulty simply filling the ranks with interest, drive, commitment and talent: Middle School age and grades and up. In many cases, it is still difficult for them to establish Girls Softball or Boys Baseball in their communities as they juggle Title IX requirements for equal opportunity between the two genders, sexes; that Softball is still way behind Baseball, as a culture identity, means it is going to be a perpetual up-hill battle still still a long time.

- Economics: schools, their districts; community activities managed by cities and counties; independent programmers who use public facilities: each is limited by what is currently popular as the activity of the day. In San Francisco, where I live, the dedication to Soccer is much farther-reaching than any other sport. For example, the World Cup broadcast from South Africa was on public display, in the Civic Center: on large-size screens for the duration of the event, publicized greatly.

The Recreation and Park Department recently undated their web site to include images of each park and how each divides into parcels for hourly rental charges: in parks with dedicated baseball diamonds clearly visible, each scrap of land is divided into rectangles that would encroach on any baseball field activity.

Interesting: they state in their disclaimer that if a given parcel is already in use, renters should move to an adjacent parcel: what about the adjacent baseball fields?!?

I have contacted our local officials to better understand how the new policies will impact ANY baseball or softball play – I will update when I discover the answers.

It is all about managing costs, city-wide; managing needs of a wide spectrum of interests; generating revenue to keep up a quality experience for the citizens.

Check out our city’s awesome new web site:

http://sfrecpark.org/

Particularly:

http://sfrecpark.org/Rec-SportsAndAthletics.aspx

“GIRLS SPORTS – COMING SOON!

The mission of the girl’s sports division is to develop and deliver equitable and quality sport opportunities for ALL girls. This will be achieved through leadership development, team building, and good old fashioned fun! Girls, ages 6-17, will find a variety of sports offered such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, and soccer just to name a few. Join in now on San Francisco’s wide range of girls specific sports offerings!”

By: Mom of a Girl Who Loves Baseball

Mom of a Girl Who Loves Baseball — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:28:24 +0000

My daughter loves to play baseball as well as softball. I have coached her teams at both sports. I’ve never had an issue with the baseball league, male coaches or parents. It seems quite outdated to force girls into softball exclusively. Likewise, my son (accomplished travel baseball player) would love to try fast pitch softball but there aren’t any opportunities for boys. Why not?? I encourage both my kids to play the sports they love. Maybe someday the adults will catch up.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:50:05 +0000

I am so pumped. I want to try out for my schools baseball team. I play softball AND baseball but I like baseball better, and I didn’t know if they allowed girls to even try out. But, that comment by Jimnemo really helped.

By: gretchen

gretchen — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:38:59 +0000

Good information, Jim. Thanks! >-

By: Jimnemo

Jimnemo — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:00:53 +0000

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