2 women make baseball history in debut with Sonoma Stompers
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Two-women-make-baseball-history-in-debut-with-8338388.php
The first pitch of Friday nights Sonoma Stompers baseball game was a breaking ball that went over the plate and into professional baseball history.
The pitch itself wasnt that special, but the called strike was thrown by a woman, one of two who started the game for the Stompers against the San Rafael Pacifics at Arnold Field in Sonoma. It is believed to be the first time in more than 60 years that a team with more than one woman has participated in a professional baseball game.
Stacy Piagno, the 25-year-old pitcher from St. Augustine, Fla., made it through the first inning, gave up two runs in the second and lasted until the third inning. Behind her, in left field, was Kelsie Whitmore, 17, of Temecula (Riverside County), who tracked down a deep fly ball near the left field fence to end the first inning. Stompers officials consider Whitmore the best female baseball player in the country.
Its exciting. Ive got goosebumps, said Lizette Dalquie, 64, of Sonoma, as she sat in the stands waiting for the first two female ballplayers in the four-team independent Pacific Association baseball league to take the field. Its a breakthrough for the girls.
A team of their own?