Description
Book SynopsisTwenty American women were selected to represent Team USA in the fourth Women's Baseball World Cup in Caracas, Venezuela in 2010; most Americans, however, had no idea such a team even existed.
A Game of Their Own chronicles the largely invisible history of women in baseball and offers an account of the 2010 Women's World Cup tournament.
Trade Review“
A Game of Their Own provides a reminder that although Title IX has helped create more opportunities for girls and women in sports, ‘the segregated masculinity of baseball’ still intimidates all but the strongest and most resilient girls and women who’ve chosen baseball as their game.”—Bill Littlefield, on WBUR’s
Only a Game “A Game of Their Own reveals a thrilling and too-long-hidden part of our collective sports history. We owe Jennifer Ring a debt of gratitude for assembling this terrific text. We owe a similar debt to the women in these pages who fiercely and rebelliously love a sport that for too long has refused to return their affections. I don’t think a person can say they have a comprehensive sports history library without the inclusion of A Game of Their Own.”—Dave Zirin, sports editor of The Nation
“Fascinating.”—
Huffington Post "This revealing book, which makes an important contribution to sports and women's history, will interest anyone curious about an overlooked segment of amateur athletics."—Craig Clark,
Booklist“I would recommend the book to those interested in baseball, sports history, gender and women’s studies but also to those who are interested in culture and sociology and how one sport in particular which could easily be open to girls and boys, has managed to discriminate against girls and women for decades through tight control, culture, and legacy.”—Ellen Bartages,
AETHLON: Journal of Sports Literature"
A Game of Their Own is an engaging and well-written chronicle of women's baseball in the United States."—Maria J. Veri, J
ournal of Sport History"More than just the content or message, what I really believe makes this book very good is Ring's writing. Her style captures the emotions and heart of each player instead of just reporting on what they did on the field. If nothing else, for that reason alone everyone who reads baseball books should add this one to their libraries."—
Guy Who Reviews Sports Books“Ring does not bring comfort to those comfortable with the status quo in baseball. She raises tough questions and follows up with a poignant account of the girls and women who must continue to fight for their place on the field. Meticulously researched, eloquently told.”—Jean Hastings Ardell, author of Breaking into Baseball: Women and the National Pastime
“Jennifer Ring has written a book that fills a painful gap in baseball history. It is so much more than the story of the playing careers of a group of ballplayers. It is an examination, through the words of the players themselves, of their trials and struggles to be accepted as ballplayers.”—Leslie Heaphy, associate professor of history at Kent State University at Stark and coeditor of Encyclopedia of Women in Baseball
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1. Baseball and American Women
1. The Dream and Its Challenges
2. Cary, 2010
3. From Cary to Caracas
Part 2. The Veterans
4. Tamara Holmes
5. Donna Mills
6. Jenny Dalton Hill
Part 3. Softball and Baseball Players
7. Tara Harbert
8. Veronica Alvarez
9. Sarah Gascon
10. Jenna Marston
Part 4. Baseball Girls
11. Malaika Underwood
12. Marti Sementelli
13. Lilly Jacobson
14. Meggie Meidlinger
Part 5. Gender Segregation, Equality, and Women’s Baseball
15. America’s Team
16. Grassroots Women’s Baseball
17. USA Baseball
Appendix A: Player Interview Questions
Appendix B: USA Baseball Women’s National Team Rosters and Current Women’s Baseball Leagues and Teams in the United States
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index
