Japanese schoolgirl makes pro baseball debut

"Some speculated the move was more of a publicity stunt by the team to generate interest in the new league. There were 11,592 spectators in the 45,000-seat stadium for Friday’s game"

I think that is most certainly the case, and her removal after pitching to merely two opponents seems to back it up ("Okay, show's over there, little one. Back to the cheerleader section!"), but if it got her out there even for a little bit to show her stuff, it's a start. A very WEE start, but hopefully one that will be continued and cultivated. If a woman has the talent and skill there is no reason why she shouldn't be able to 'play against men'. This should be the case not only in Japan, but in general.

In fact, here are still a number of people that want to see the women's softball team play the men's olympic baseball team in Japan. Haha!

Good job, Yoshida. Hang in there, and put up a fight to get out there more.

Yeah, glad she got to get out there for at least a few minutes. She said her performance was "a bad result". I don't know...a strikeout on the second batter ain't half bad, if you ask me. And besides, facing only two batters doesn't exactly let her really show her stuff. BUT it is a definite start...and a good one!

Excellent start! I like this. I saw her being interviewed on TV a couple of months back. She is determined and could become famous. What's this quip about farm teams? They are professional and not every team can play in the top leagues. Team sports are always worth playing and watching, whatever the level. Look at the high school baseball tournaments. They are extremely popular. It's the spirit that counts most. Not the performance.

I saw the clip. She did a pretty good job. She's tiny but she can pitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LWH3PXHkZU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RskEUWoZNoc

I hope she grows into a real pitcher. Striking out 1 out of 2 ain't bad at all. TO bad the coach didn't let her finish the game.....

"There were 11,592 spectators in the 45,000-seat stadium for Friday’s game"

That's more than a lot of Orix games, I've been too.