In the world of women’s sports, for me, softball is the best to watch. I do like soccer (football to you Euros), but I’m not into women’s basketball at all, nor golf. The thing that makes it fun for me is primarily that it’s just a little bit different from baseball. And if you’ve ever seen one of those girls pitch and you weren’t impressed, you and I clearly are of different minds. 
They don’t wear hats, like the men do, they usually have long hair pulled back in a pony tail, often with little ribbons or bows (cute). And the fact is that these girls have skill.
In soccer, the game is just a carbon copy of the men’s, ditto for basketball (Okay, in basketball the 3-point line is closer to the goal. But that’s about it). But softball is just different from baseball. The pitcher is closer to the batter (43′ compared to 60′6″ in baseball) and the outfield fence is a lot closer in, the ball is bigger, the pitchers pitch differently (and it is frickin cool the way they pitch), and I don’t care how big the ball is, when it’s coming from just 43′ away at 67 MPH, it’s dang hard to turn on it… it’s just a different kind of game, and it seems like a game tailored better to fit the athleticism of ladies.
I would support a professional softball league before any other women’s sport. Soccer, maybe, but I just can’t get into the WNBA. I’ve tried. I hate it. It just doesn’t seem like a sport that’s made for women. But give me a local pro softball team and I’ll buy a hat (so long as it isn’t pink, aye?) and maybe a jersey as well. And with athletes like Taryne Mowatt (pictured) who’s a phenomenal, record-setting pitcher, it seems a shame they have no opportunity to become professional players.
I want a pro girls softball league.
Give it.
I also like to watch women’s tennis. More than the men’s. There aren’t many sports like that; the athleticism of the men is just too phenomenal not to watch. But men can be gross, too, I agree, so… at least girls aren’t gross, eh? :-)
Um, just a final note that Alabama just knocked off Taryne and the Wildcats to advance in the CSWS. Roll Tide!
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May 31st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
There actually is a women’s professional softball league called National Pro Fastpitch. Mowatt was the first round draft pick of the defending champion Washington Glory.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I love it! I (obviously) had no idea. Now they just need a little expansion…
June 1st, 2008 at 11:02 am
I was just thinking about this same topic Matt. Your post said everything I was thinking about woman’s softball. My boys played their last baseball game yesterday and I was watching the girls play as I walked back to my car. So much talent with no way to go pro after college. Another aspect of the younger girls teams is the exciting cheers and songs they chant during the game.