Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

This summer Winslow, Arizona was fortunate enough to host the Senior Girls Softball All-Star Little League tournament. Let me re-phrase that, the Senior Softball All-Star Little League tournament. Much to my surprise and disappointment, a team from Eloy, Arizona, fielded a team with 5 boys and 4 girls.

No, I realize there is nothing in the Little League rule book that specifies what the sex of each player must be, but this is such a disappointment. This team has taken a sport that has come such a long way, and has made a mockery of it. Shame on you!

Way back when, there was no organized baseball or softball team for girls. Hence, some little girl went out for Little League baseball with the boys. What did this do? It helped bring about GIRLS softball. Girls softball was brought about so that women and girls could have their own league and compete with other women and girls who are physically on the same level.

These boys are presenting a real danger to the other girls they play against. I cannot believe their parents and coaches have so little respect for the game, the other players and for themselves that they will stop at nothing, simply to get the WIN.

In most cases, there is no match in the physical strength between a 14-15 year old boy and a 14-15 year old girl. Most boys are bigger, stronger, run faster, jump higher, throw harder and hit a ball with much more strength than a girl of equal age.

I hope that Little League and the parents and coaches of these boys are prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions. I believe you have opened a door that will not be easily closed, and slowly other teams will follow your pathetic lead. This sport has been forever changed and certainly not for the better.

Yes, you occasionally will see a girl playing Little League baseball. No, I don’t think this is right, but I’m sure those few girls know the risks and I suppose every now and then there is a girl who may be equal in strength. In any case, I don’t agree with this now that women and girls have their own leagues. I suppose this may be part of the reason that this has happened with softball.

What a shame this has happened. I pray that no one gets hurt and that no lives are destroyed by a lawsuit. I also hope that all of the young girls out there don’t get discouraged. I would hate to see the boys completely take over the sport that women and girls all over the world have worked so hard to bring it to the point that it is today.

Perhaps Little League could add a boys softball division or a co-ed division and give everyone a choice. I’m not sure what the answer is, but as was shown in the tournament in Winslow, boys and girls playing fast-pitch softball together, at this age, does not work!!

A very disappointed coach and parent in Winslow,

Becky Barris

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