Jennie Finch: An Amazing Softball Player

Softball involves less running than sports like soccer and football and there isn’t as much conditioning involved in softball as there could be. Laura Berg, a center fielder for the U.S team, states that “softball deserves to be in the Olympics because it combines both pace and power. The games are fast and feature athletic women who can be stars on both offense and defense” (qtd. in Hendricks). Softball may now involve as much running, or conditioning as many other sports, but it involves just as much dedication and talent to succeed, and that’s why it deserves to be in the Olympics.

Women have faced discrimination and stereotypes for thousands of years. What many people did not know though, is that it would take only one of them to transform not only the sports industry, but the outlook on women in everyday activities. Babe Zaharias Didrikson would not only become the greatest, and first, outstanding female athlete of the 1930’s, but would also be the leader of a movement in a time where being sexist was accepted, and where men dominated every aspect of life except for cleaning the house. Babe, being a physical power-house, dominated and participated in almost every sport imaginable to the mind. Through determination, strong will, and the persistence to overcome obstacles, Babe Zaharias Didrikson changed the world of sports forever by overcoming all common perceptions of women in her time and giving hope to all competitive souls of the sports world.

Jackie Robinson was a game changer for all sports. He broke barriers in baseball allowing African Americans to play baseball. Jackie was hated at first but he didn't say anything and let his playing do the talking.Jackie didn't only change baseball he helped his community and the Civil Rights movement. Jackie is the most honored baseball player today he has his own day called Jackie Robinson Day in April and every player wears his number.

Women and baseball are two categories that were never put together. Up until the 1940’s, the cliche of American women playing sports was challenged. Due to World War II, all men were off fighting for the Allied Forces, including many sports stars. Not wanting to focus on the negative aspects of the war, women turned to baseball.They played not only as an escape from the gloomy war, but women also played to prove that they had an impact on America. This showed that they were more than just housewives; it showed that women were more than the stereotypes that had plagued them since the early ages of time. Softball allowed women an escape to a world where they were free from judgement, could do what they loved, and were not constantly being haunted by the standard that men and

October 23, 1945, Jackie Robinson shook hands with Branch Rickey, officially changing baseball and society, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson grew up in a poor household in Pasadena, California. He attended UCLA, making himself a four sport star athlete . Major league baseball had been segregated at the time, with the only black men playing in separate Negro Leagues. Branch Rickey, the owner of the Dodgers, wanted to break the color barrier. To do that, he had to find someone that could withstand racial discrimination and learn to not fight back when dealt with harsh criticism. Jackie Robinson took an amazing risk when he became the first African-American athlete to play in the major leagues. Robinson has been a huge inspiration to athletes, paving the way for blacks, not just in the game of baseball, as well as being an outspoken activist for the rights of American-Americans.

The screaming cuss-words coming from the stands while the civil rights leader Jackie Robinson is on the baseball diamond was what they thought was the right thing to do at the moment. But, what the fans didn't realize was that they were criticizing one of the best baseball players to play the game.

Jackie Robinson is remembered as the African american that broke the color barrier for the Major League Baseball. Many words can be used to describe him, such as hero, powerful, stupid, anything of that sort, not all good, but not all bad. Keeping a cool head was key to his success, dealing with many racist names that he was called as he stepped up to the plate. With pitchers aiming at his head, he still became a very accomplished athlete in as many fields imaginable. Jackie didn’t pay attention to what people thought or said about him, just knowing he was going to get on base the next pitch.

For the last eight years, softball has shaped my life and taught me many things about leadership, sportsmanship, and how to work as a team. Softball has always made me happy, it’s not just the sport that makes me happy, but it’s the place that I get to go and the people that I get to play it with. Every time I’m on the field or in the cages I feel the most content. The softball field and cages are my sanctuary.

First black baseball player, selfless, and courage are three attributes that describe Jackie Robinson. Many people know that Jackie Robinson was a baseball player, but he was so much more. As a well known baseball player, Jackie Robinson showed pro sports that it is all right to have a black person play. He broke the professional baseball color barrier. He is the reason our sports are open to all. He left a lasting legacy as a hero to all, someone who gave up his life to undiscriminate professional sports.

Baseball to Jackie Robinson was gateway to freedom, he was inspired by his older brother to pursue a career for what he had a talent and a love for athletics and Baseball. Jackie was arrested and court-martialed for refusing to give up his seat and move to the back of a segregated bus, but because of his reputation he received an honorable discharge. His courage and moral objection to segregation were precursors to the impact Robinson would have in major league baseball. Jackie Robinson broke the ‘’color barrier’’ by becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball and inspired young black men to follow in his path and follow their dreams. Not only did he break the color barrier but he changed the society of America itself.

Baseball is considered by many to be America’s favorite pastime. Softball in many aspects is similar to baseball but in reality it is harder to play. This can be shown in all aspects of the game from hitting to pitching to fielding to catching.

In my my paper I will tell you why you, or other people should play softball. Softball is fun to play, in my opinion, and I think that if you tried it you could have fun or become a fantastic softball player. If you just tried softball and decide to keep at it you could become one of the greatest softball players that ever lived, so that is why I think that you should just try it.

National or local parks are great places to play. You can do just about anything at the park including softball. Playing softball is an amazing way to get in shape and have fun all at the same time. Softball is a great sport to keep you active, and healthy. It can be complicated sometimes, but that’s a great way to get your head in the game. Softball takes skills that you wouldn’t

Virne Beatrice “Jackie” Mitchell Gilbert was the first female professional baseball player to play in a game as a pitcher. She had a contact with the Chattanooga Lookouts on March 28, 1931. During the spring training season, the New York Yankees played the Lookouts in a game. Virne Mitchell was believed to have struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig during the game. Even though Virne only played one year as a member of the Lookouts, she continued to live on playing baseball. Virne Mitchell will always be remembered as “The girl who stuck out Babe Ruth.” For my license plate about the famous woman, I decided to include the letters CL to represent the Major League Baseball team she played for. In addition, I included the year 1931 because

Lauren Connell is a softball player for the Michigan softball team. She is enrolled in the college of literature, science, and the arts at the University of Michigan. Lauren Connell works hard to keep her grades up in school she was also bullpen catcher she graduated from west lafayette high school in (2012) she also registered first collegiate putout behind the plate at Ohio State (March 22) . I’ve never met her. I’ve only seen her play one time. Yet, I am inspire by her, because she tries and tries again and never gives up.