As a young girl growing up with three sisters and a dad who was a good enough baseball pitcher to be invited to join the White Sox farm system (just before leaving to fight in the Pacific in WWII), I will never forget the long summer nights of playing baseball in our backyard with all the neighborhood kids. My dad was a favorite with the neighborhood boys. He taught us all how to throw a mean baseball, pitch like a pro, how to hit for the "neighbors windows" and how to run like the wind.
Each spring a Pitch, Hit & Run contest was held at the local elementary school. It was for boys only; girls were excluded. After the enactment of Title IX in 1972, I wondered how long it would take before girls would be included. As it turned out, it took a long time, but it has finally happened!
2010 MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Program Adds Girls Softball Division
When I learned the other day that, for the first time ever, girls will have a chance to participate in the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR), the "Official Youth Skills Competition of Major League Baseball", I was floored. It is truly a wonderful time for girls who shine at baseball like I did when I was a youngster. History is about to be made!
There are over 4,000 competitions planned across the country for boys and girls ages 7 to 14. The official skills competition of Major League Baseball, PHR is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the fun element of baseball and softball. All participants must begin by competing in a local competition, which can be hosted by any organization, league, civic group or volunteer groups in the community. PHR is free of charge to both the participants and the local hosting organization.
Pitch, Hit & Run is inviting kids to demonstrate their skills, competing in pitching, hitting and running competitions. PHR participants can advance through four levels of competition, beginning at the local level, and continuing through sectional and team competitions. All 30 MLB clubs will host team championships at their ballparks on weekends from May 29 through June 27. The top competitors nationwide from each age group (7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14) will advance to the 2010 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals during MLB All-Star Week in Anaheim, CA.
Go girls!
For more information, click here.
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