Pro Women’s Baseball Returns
Almost eight decades after she last played baseball, Maybelle Blair returned to the diamond—in a wheelchair—to inaugurate the new women’s US baseball league. It brought Blair’s uniquely American story full circle—and she wasn’t going to miss it for anything. “I tell you, I broke four ribs recently,” the 99-year-old told a news crew from WICS. “But nothing was going to stop me from being here—even if I had to crawl.” Maybelle, who’s an honorary member of the league’s advisory board, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the inaugural game between the LA Queens and the NY Heights. Maybelle played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that launched amid the backdrop of World War II and was memorably depicted in the 1992 movie: “A League of Their Own.”
Last weekend, Maybelle, who pitched one for the Peoria Redwings during the 1948 season. She also got to meet the league’s mascot named Maybelle—perhaps the only time a person has been introduced to their mascot self. “It was a magical couple of days,” recalled Jamie Toole of the Springfield’s Robin Roberts Stadium. “The most emotional that I’ve ever been at a ballpark or a sporting event.” In the game, New York’s Denae Benites hit the league’s first home run and was a perfect 4-4 in the batter’s box, adding three stolen bases to her impressive stat line. But the Queens scored four runs in the final inning to cap a historic day with a dramatic flair. “I feel incredibly grateful and happy that I can finally stand on the stage I once only dreamed about.” Japanese player Ayami Sato said,“I believe there are many players in this league who have carried the same dreams in their hearts, and I feel so fortunate and happy to be able to play alongside them.’’
This first WPBL season will feature 30 games and runs through September. The league hopes to continue gaining support with an eye toward expanding to add more teams next year. “What they’re doing is bigger than baseball,” said Jean Fruth, who created the documentary “SEE HER, BE HER” about women baseball players around the world. “Their impact reaches far beyond the game. It’s about showing the next generation that there is a place for them in this sport and helping them believe that anything is possible.’’ Maybelle got a little misty-eyed at the game, saying, “This is the happiest day of my life.” But everyone knows ‘there’s no crying in baseball.’ “Maybelle’s been sticking with us since the beginning of this journey,” Benites told NBC Sports. “She’s paved a path for us, and I’m so happy that she got to make it out here.”
Baseball for all falderal
God challenges the Devil to a game of baseball.
“How can I lose?” God said. “I have all the best players up here!”
“How can I lose?” Said the Devil. “I have all of the umpires down here.”
For all the baseball fans:
How does a Yankee fan change a lightbulb?
They don’t. They just talk about how great the past 27 were.
Why is baseball banned in China?
We all know what happened the last time someone ate the bat.
Doctor: What did you dream about last night?
Patient: Baseball.
Doctor: Don’t you dream about anything else?
Patient: What, and miss my turn at bat?
August 26th Birthdays
1994 – Keke Palmer, 1971 – Melissa McCarthy, 1910 – Mother Teresa, 1970 – Thalia
1988 – Evan Ross, 1992 – Dylan O’Brien, 1960 – Branford Marsalis, 1989 – James Harden