BFA in the Movies!
BFA in the Media!
BFA News
There has been a lot of press and coverage on Justine Siegal breaking down barriers for women and baseball through being invited to throw batting practice to a number of MLB teams during Spring Training this year - here are some links to some of the coverage:
Baseball For All Network on LockerDome
Looking for a team to play on? Want to meet other girls who play baseball? We're excited to announce the launch of the Baseball For All Network.
Over 100,000 girls in the U.S. play baseball.Baseball For All wants to connect them. The Baseball For All Network is the online place for players to be either recruited for a girls' baseball team or to find players to create one's own team.
This is the first sports network for girls baseball in the country.
The website will be used to post announcements, schedules, rosters, and other program information. Players can post their profiles online for free!
Baseball For All Academy Open for Registration
The Girl's International Baseball Academy is America's only girls baseball camp. The Academy is hosted at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale, MA. The Academy is July 17 - 22, 2011 and is open to girls and women, ages 10 and up. Last year, ESPN visited camp and players came from all over the U.S., Canada, and Indonesia. Space is limited - Register early! More Info.
Winning an EPIC!
Chelsea Baker, a 13-year old knuckle ball phenom, who has thrown 2 perfect games, was featured on Espn's E:60 last June. That E:60 story just won an EPIC award! Chelsea received a standing ovation and gave an inspirational speech. Producer Ben Houser, filmed footage at Baseball For All's Girls Baseball Camp and when the Sparks played at Cooperstown Dreams Park. Congratulations Ben and Chelsea! Watch the Video .
Looking for 12u Players for Cooperstown
Want to have fun, face great competition, and make new friends? Baseball For All is looking for the best 12-year-old girls in the country to compete at the prestigious Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament. The Sparks will be the only girls team out of 104 teams. Three former Sparks have gone on to play for the Women's Team USA Baseball. The Sparks will be in Cooperstown in early August. Players must be 12 as of May 1, 2011. Player applications are now being accepted. For more information please contact Baseball For All.
PRESS RELEASE: FIRST WOMAN TO THROW BATTING PRACTICE TO MLB TEAM
Siegal Will Throw to the Indians and the A's at Spring Training
Spring Training, Arizona February 21 & 23, 2011 Justine Siegal will become the first woman to throw batting practice to a Major League team when she throws to the Cleveland Indians (Feb 21st) and the Oakland A's (Feb 23rd) this Spring Training. To honor the memory of Christina Taylor Green, Siegal will wear Christina's Little League's memorial patch in her honor while throwing BP.
A veteran at throwing batting practice, Siegal is the first woman to coach 1B in men's professional baseball (Brockton Rox, 2009). She spent three years as the only female college baseball coach in the country (Assistant Coach, Springfield College, 2007-10). As the Founder and Executive Director of Baseball For All, Siegal is dedicated to providing opportunities for girls and women to get involved in the game of baseball. Siegal shares her objective behind the MLB BP throwing, "I want to show that baseball is a game for all and that both boys and girls love this game. My throwing BP is proof that dreams really can come true."
A Cleveland native, Siegal will start her historic BP journey with the Cleveland Indians on Feb. 21st. Before getting the chance to throw to the MLB players, Siegal will have to first prove her throwing ability to Minor League players. Once successful, she will move up to the top players. Excited for this opportunity, Siegal shares, "I grew up wanting to be a Cleveland Indian. This is a dream come true." On the 23rd, Siegal will continue her dream of being in professional baseball and throw BP to the Oakland Athletics.
When Siegal throws, she will be wearing a baseball memorial patch in honor of Christina Taylor Green, the nine-year-old killed in the Tucson, AZ. Christina was the only girl on her Little League baseball team. Christina had her own dreams of baseball glory and wanted to become the first woman to play major league Baseball.
To prepare to throw to the A's and the Indians, Siegal has been throwing to various colleges, including Northeastern University, UMASS Amherst, American International College, and Springfield College. Siegal has also been strengthening her arm with personal trainer Mike Zolkiewicz, former Braves intern and current Highland Games world record holder. Siegal would like to continue throwing BP to other MLB teams. Off the field, Siegal is a Ph.D. Candidate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Springfield College (MA) and the mother of Jasmine, her 13-year old daughter.
Siegal is blogging on her BP experience at justinebaseball.mlblogs.com.
Justine Siegal, 1st Woman to Throw MLB BP
"It's an honor to make history but I am much more interested in creating a future. A future that makes the greatest game on earth available to both girls and boys."
Baseball For All's Executive Director, Justine Siegal, became the first woman to throw batting practice to a MLB team when she threw to the Cleveland Indians on February 22, 2011. She then went on to pitch BP to the Athletics, Rays, Cardinals, Astros, and Mets.
Her mission to throw batting practice to MLB teams was based on 3 principles:
- To show that baseball is a game for all and that women and girls can be a part of this game.
- To honor the memory of Christina-Taylor Green. Justine wore Christina-Taylor's Little League memorial patch when she threw to each MLB team.
- To prove that dreams can come true. Girls and boys should know that they can be who they want to be and to not let others limit their possibilities.
Justine's MLB journey was featured in 100's of media outlets including: NBC Nightly News, USA Today, New York Times, MLB.com, Fox & Friends, Yahoo, and the Boston Globe. Justine chronicled her journey at MLBlogs.com.
A Review of Baseball For All's 2010 Season!
Baseball For All had a very busy 2010. Below is a sample list of what we did this past year to provide meaningful opportunities and instruction in baseball, especially for girls.
- Finished 39th out of 104 teams at the 12u Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament. The Sparks were the only girls team in attendance and were followed by ESPN, MLB, and Tokyo Broadcasting.
- Attended the MILB Promotions Seminar in Las Vegas to launch BFA's Girls' Baseball Day Promotion for minor league parks across the country. BFA's promotion was featured on MILB.com
- Held a 13u girls 3-game showcase series at the National Youth BaseballChampionship. This story was followed on MLB TV, Fox News, and MaxPreps.com.
- As a result of our partcipation in the National Youth BaseballChampionship, BFA secured a showcase series for 14u's at the 2011 Pony World Series.
- Attended the Baseball Winter Meetings in Florida where BFA had an info booth on Girls Baseball Day at the trade show.
- Presented on girls baseball to the heads of 8 national youth baseballorganizations at the ABCA National Convention in Texas.
- Conducted BFA's International GirlsBaseball Academy at Dan Duquette's Sports Academy (MA). The only girlsbaseball camp in the U.S. ESPN was onsite filming the girls.
- Featured in dozens of media outlets including MILB.com, Max Preps.com, Collegebaseballdaily.com, ESPN.com, My Fox Memphis, and The Plush Life.
- Launched a new website that includes advocacy tips, media stories, and playing opportunities (BaseballForAll.com).
- In 2011, Baseball For All will conduct its 2nd annual International GirlsBaseball Academy, host 4 regional girls baseball tournaments, and run Girls Baseball Day Promotions at Minor League Baseball parks across the country.
Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to another successful year.
A TV Episode All About Girls Baseball
In September, on the way to the Minor League Baseball Seminar, BFA Executive Director, Justine Siegal, stopped in Reno, NV, for a very special media appearance. Baseball For All was the feature of The Plush Life, a 30 min. regional TV show. The show talks about the mission of Baseball For All, the love that girls have for baseball, and the 2010 Sparks. Thirteen year olds, Nylah Ramirez, who hit 22 home runs this year and Alyssa Freeman, who pitches a 70 mph fastball were on site for interviews. The Plush Life host, Jennifer Rose, is a big supporter of girls' baseball and she did a fantastic job with the show. Watch the Baseball For All episode.
Girls Baseball Documentary Needs Your Help
Baseball For All is part of another amazing documentary. Director, Cami J. Kidder, is raising funds for Throw Like A Girl, a feature-length documentary about women and their love of baseball. If you tell a girl she can't play baseball, what else is she going to think she can't do? Watch the trailer.
Player Fights for Her Right to Tryout & Wins
New Hampshire native, Leah Kenison, has played baseball her whole life. So it was a natural decision for her to decide to tryout for her high school team. But the Athletic Director would NOT LET HER TRY OUT. Kris, Leah's mother, who has chaperoned numerous Baseball For All events, knew her daughter's rights. After Kris made a few phone calls to the baseball coach and the NHIAA office, the AD admitted her mistake, and Leah is now allowed to try our for her baseball team. Leah, who is now 16 and 5'10'' has played for Baseball For All since she was 13. Leah played with BFA's 17u all star team that traveled to Australia and she also attended last summer's Girls International Baseball Academy.
Girls Baseball at Its Best: A No-Hitter & A Batting Award
Striking out 11 of the opposing batters, Katie Burt (left pic), an 8th grader from Lynn, Massachusetts, threw a no-hitter during her Middle School game last week. Katie is use to dominating on the field. During her summer season, she struck out 100 boys in 10 games. During Baseball For All's 13u girls showcase series at the National Youth Baseball Championship this past August, Katie hit a 300 foot home run over the outfield wall. Katie was interviewed by MLB for this towering blast. Next year, Katie plans to play high school baseball and women's ice hockey. Respected by her teammates, Katie is the captain of her middle school baseball team.
Nylah Ramirez (right pic), is a 13 year old from Brooklyn, NY, who won the 2010 Bantam Division Outstanding Batter Award. Nylah is the first girl to ever win an award from the 66-year old Parade Grounds Baseball League. Nylah earned this award by hitting 21 home runs this season. She played for Baseball For All's Sparks at Cooperstown Dreams Park and at the BFA 13u girls showcase series at the National Youth Baseball Championship. Alumni of the Parade Grounds Baseball League include Major League players Manny Ramirez (no relation) and Nelson Figaroa. Nylah plans to play high school baseball and work towards her dream of becoming a pro baseball player.
Baseball For All is in the News - Again!
Check out Dave Krider's article in MaxPreps.com on some of the best young female baseball players in the country - who also play for Baseball for All. Read the full story here.
Baseball For All @ the Winter Meetings
Baseball For All will be representing girls' baseball at the Baseball Winter Meetings this December in Orlando. The Winter Meetings is the premier event for MLB and MILB executives. Baseball For All will have a booth at the Trade Show which will provide fantastic exposure and networking opportunities.
BFA was in a dozen different media sources this past August. Check out these two favorites:
- My Fox News did a live interview with Chesea Baker and Nylah Ramirez in Memphis.
- MLB.com used Sparks footage from our game at Cooperstown Dreams Park in their piece on Eri Yoshida and Chelsea Baker.
Baseball For All at the National Youth Baseball Championship
When 13 year old, Katie Burt (see pic below), hit a 300-foot home run over the 285 sign in center, the Memphis fans knew at once that girls could play baseball and that they could play it well.
Twenty of the best 13u girls in the U.S. participated in a 3-game showcase series at the National Youth Baseball Championship at Game Day Fields in Memphis, TN. Players hailed from 10 states, including NY, NJ, FL, ID, CA, NM, ME, MA, GA, and MD. Game footage and interviews were featured on MLB.TV, FOX Memphis News and CBS Memphis. Throw Like a Girl's documentary crew was on site as well. The girls did an amazing job representing our sport.
Women's Baseball World Cup a Success!
Venezuela (August 2010) - Congratulations to Team Japan for winning Gold at the IBAF Women's World Cup. Australia earned the Silver medal and U.S.A. beat Venezuela for the Bronze.
Other participating countries at the World Cup (in ranking order, highest to lowest) were: Canada, Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
Women's baseball is growing around the world! For pictures and World Cup details, please visit the International Baseball Federation's website.
Sparks are on their way to Cooperstown!
Imagine 13 girls and 1000 boys. This August 13-20, the Sparks, an all girls baseball team, will play at Cooperstown Dreams Park - the largest 12u tournament in the world. The Sparks will be the only girls' team competing with 95 other teams.
The subject of its own documentary, the Sparks are a collection of many of the best 12-year old female baseball players. This year's team has 4 girls who have struck out 100+ batters this season, two girls who have thrown perfect games, two girls who have hit 15+ home runs, and one girl who has never been caught stealing a base. Awesome!
Four girls have gone on from the Sparks program to play for their national teams. Past participants have joined us from Ireland, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Japan, and across the United States. Over the years, the Sparks have been featured in dozens of media outlets and have been the guests of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. This year, marks the 8th annual trip to Dream Park.
See Pictures and Bios of the 2010 Sparks!
Baseball For All on ESPN
Chelsea Baker (see photo in header) has thrown two perfect games in Little League! She throws a knuckle ball that she learned from Joe Niekro and her story is the feature of E:60. Footage of BFA's Girls' International Baseball Academy can be seen on the ESPN special. Also look for Cheslea in her BFA red, white, and blue jersey! Go Chelsea!
See the E:60 Feature on Chelsea
BFA at World Children's Baseball Fair in Japan
Mia Mamann, age 10, is currently attending the 2010 WCBF where she is experiencing a cultural exchange, learning baseball, and making new friends. Every year, BFA selects a girl to attend the WCBF. Last year, BFA brought an all girls team to attend the WCBF Friendship games. Robin Wallace, BFA board member and coach, is serving as an IBAF coach at the 2010 event. The WCBF is celebrating its 20th year!
Playing for Team Canada
Team Canada's 2010 baseball team has 3 past BFA players on its roster. The youngest on the team is Shayla Sashavar who just played with BFA's 17u team that went to Australia this winter. She has played with BFA since she was 13, traveling to Disney World, Hong Kong, Australia and other tournament spots. Other Team Canada players are Cindy Saavadra who was recruited by BFA at age 12, and Marie-Josee Tremblay who played with BFA in Boston and Florida. Good luck at the 2010 Women's World Cup!
Baseball For All on ESPN: July 20 @ 7PM EST
Chelsea Baker has thrown two perfect games in Little League. She throws a knuckle ball that she learned from Joe Niekro and her story is the feature of E:60. Support Chelsea and the dreams of girls who love baseball by watching this amazing segment. Chelsea plays for Baseball For All and we are so proud of her.
Sparks on Team USA!
The Sparks are BFA's international 12u team that plays at Cooperstown Dreams Park. Three former Spark players have played for Team USA: Anna Kimbrell and Alex Hebert (who are at the 2010 team trials) and Jen Hunter. All three girls made the team at age 16. Gabby Sanchez, another former Spark member, has also made Team USA's 2010 team trials. Good luck Sparks!
Girl's International Baseball Academy
Twenty-five girls, ages 10-17, from across the U.S. Canada, and Indonesia came to the Dan Duquette Sports Academy (Hinsdale, MA) to participate in the 2010 Girls' International Baseball Academy. ESPN came and taped parts of our 12u game. The Academy was a huge success filled with baseball, new friends, and mentoring.
At the Girls' Academy, players were offered instruction in catching infield, hitting, bunting, pitching, mental skills, and more. Intermixed with instruction was games with local teams. All players learned umpiring mechanics and baseball rules. Evenings were filled with fun games, a camp fire, and a minor league game - where they met with former MLB pitcher Juan Padilla. Most importantly, the girls were mentored by our female coaches and umpires on how to overcome obstacles and follow their dreams.
Save next year's dates: July 17-22, 2011 in Hinsdale, MA!
