Imagine Being Struck out by a Girl - All-Girls Baseball Team Competes with the Boys
12u Sparks Finish 21st out of 104 Teams at Cooperstown Dreams Park
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y., July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With just two practices, the all-girls 12u Sparks went 6-2 and finished 21st out of 104 teams competing at Cooperstown Dreams Park. The Sparks are the only girls' team playing at Dreams Park this summer. In 8 games (6 inn), the Sparks hit 11 homeruns and struck out 53 batters. Sparks Manager, and Baseball For All Founder, Justine Siegal reports, "The 2015 Sparks are likely the most dominating 12u girls team in U.S. history." See Team Roster Below.
The Sparks received a mixed reception from opposing players, coaches, and parents. Jaden Stohr of the 12u Dakota Ridge Eagles shared his positive experience, "Playing the Sparks was really cool. I was nervous to play them, but at the end of the game I really respected them as great ball players."
The girls on the Sparks usually play on "boys" teams as the only girl but with the Sparks they stand together as a team. Siegal explains, "It's important these girls know their baseball dreams are valid too; that the girls know they are believed in." Siegal continues half jokingly, "I think when a girl strikes out a boy she just made him a better father."
The 2015 summer marks the Sparks' 13th year playing at Dreams Park. About a dozen former Sparks have gone on to make their national women's baseball team. Two of those Sparks, Anna Kimbrell and Jade Gortarez, are currently playing for Team USA Baseball in the Pan Am Games.
About Baseball For All
Baseball For All is a 510(c)3 and the voice and hub of girls and baseball in the United States. Baseball For All fosters, encourages, and provides opportunities for girls to participate in baseball. Baseball For All's President and Founder, Justine Siegal, is the first woman to throw batting practice to an MLB team (Cleveland Indians, 2011) and to coach men's professional baseball (Brockton Rox, 2009). More information on Baseball For All can be found at: www.BaseballForAll.com.
2015 Sparks Roster
1. Abby Anagnos: Santa Monica, CA
2. Kaija Bazzano: Sebastopol, CA
3. Tatyana Beltran: Dallas, TX
4. Taylor Bowen: Grifton, NC
5. Bailey Brassard: The Woodlands, TX
6. Hailey Crosby: Midland, TX
7. Taylor Daniels: Winnetka, IL
8. Jessica Leonard: Greensboro, NC
9. Jamie MacKay: Laguna Beach, CA
10. Sophia Mathewson: Cape Coral, FL
11. Caitlyn Naginey: Windemere, FL
12. Miranda Scripp: Brighton, MA
Coaches: Oz Sailors (ME) & Justine Siegal (CA)
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150721/238772
SOURCE Baseball For All
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