Is Softball Sexist?
A New York Times article from 2014 asks for their followers opinions: is softball a sexist sport? Most people know baseball as a sport for men, and softball as a sport for women. However, most people don’t know that women have been playing baseball since before they even had the right to vote. Women were forced out of the sport as soon as baseball became a professional sport. Title IX, the 1972 federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, also protects equal access to and funding of sports for boys and girls at the school level. Sports like basketball, track, and swimming are the same for both men and women. Softball though, is a distinctly different sport. For example, women have to pitch underhand, they play with a bigger and brighter ball, and have shorter base lengths. In 1887, softball was invented by men to make it a more “suitable” game for women, having it be “safer” and “more modest”. Baseball was said to be “too strenuous for ladies” and they should rather “wave their kerchief to their heroes playing baseball”.
In 1931, Jackie Mitchell, who was 17 years old at the time, of the Chattanooga Lookouts struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig consecutively in an exhibition game. The movie“A League of Their Own” was based on the stories of women playing baseball during World War II. But in 1952, Major League Baseball officially banned women’s contracts. Officials claimed that baseball was a “contact sport”; they said that “boys would quit if girls were allowed; that girls’ bones were weaker than boys’; that facial injuries could ruin a girl’s looks and therefore prospects in life;” and, most outlandishly, that “girls struck in the chest by a ball might later develop breast cancer.” One Little League vice president expressed his concern that coaches would not be able to “pat girls on the rear end the way they naturally do to boys.”
Now, girls are allowed in Little League, and can play on a boys school-sponsored team if there is no girls team available. However, most girls are pushed to just play softball, and are still often told they can’t play baseball because they are girls.
Do you think girls should be able to play baseball? Why or why not?
I think girls should be allowed to play baseball, first of all because it is a law that they are supposed to be able to, and because it isn’t a “mens sport”. Although it has been portrayed that way, lots of girls might want to try and play over softball. They shouldn’t be pushed to play softball specifically because they don’t want girls in baseball.
Do you think softball should be considered sexist?
I think the story behind the why and how it was made is sexist. However, as long as girls are allowed to play baseball and it is given as an option for them to play, it shouldn’t be considered sexist because they chose to play softball over baseball.
Replies
Great topic choice and well done Ellie!
I think girls should be able to play baseball because there is no reason for women to be not allowed to play the sport. I think that softball was based off sexist views but its been around so long that if people want to play an easier version of basball then let them but dont say its for girls just say its for everyone.
I agree that there is no reason for them not to play, it's just stereotyped for them to play softball which isn't super sexist anyway. I think it was based on sexist views which makes it seem sexist today, but in reality nowadays we have the option to play baseball.
I think it was considered sexist, and that's what makes us question it today. I believe they should just put the girls on softball and boys on baseball. However, if they want to be put on baseball then let it be. I personally do not see this as a huge deal. I feel this is going to become a bigger deal if a transgender female tries to try out for softball.
I agree that it was most definetly considered sexist back then which makes us think that today, however nowadays we have the option to play baseball (mostly). I think it's just the stereotype for girls to be in softball and boys to be in baseball which isn't super sexist in my opinion. I agree that it isn't a big deal now but it could potentially be in the future.
I think that girls should beable to play what ever sport they want. I think tha since back then when girls first started palying baseball was a good way to show people that not just only men can play these sports. No, I don't think that softball ahould be sexist because it's just like any other sport.
I agree that because back then they used to play baseball it's a good way to show that not just men can play these sports. It shouldn't really be considered sexist in my opinion except for the fact it was created to push women out of baseball.
I think baseball and softball are very simular, so therefore softball shouldn't be considered sexist and if girls want to play baseball they should be allowed to. Girls playing baseball is simular to girls playing football, or other sports that not as many girls play in, but it is their choice and there is no reason for them not to be able to.
I agree that as long as they have the option to play that it isn't sexist. I think it's sexist if they play softball because the school pushes them to over baseball, but otherwise like you said, it is their decision to play whichever sport they want.
I think that girls should be allowed to play baseball, there is no reason for them not to. I don't think softball is considered sexist because it is the same thing as baseball, so if baseball isn't sexist than neither should softball.
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