Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don't Play Baseball (review)

In Stolen Bases Professor Jennifer Ring explores the question of exclusion of women from baseball, historically and to the present in the United States. Other countries seem to be farther ahead in supporting women's baseball as acknowledged by Ring in her concluding chapter so her focus remains on the United States. While this is a not a unique question that Dr. Ring examines it is one that still needs more attention because it is more complex than simply saying it is because the opportunities do not exist beyond Little League for most girls. Dr. Ring explores all the various dimensions of this question to determine why women have played baseball from its earliest days and yet are basically excluded from the game as much as possible.

By beginning with the early history of baseball Dr. Ring points out that baseball was never an exclusively all-male game but that achievements of bloomer teams, of blondes and brunettes etc … have been excluded from the telling of the history. This lack of inclusion has created a false sense that women never played and therefore they do not need to play now. After all, there is softball for girls though softball was not originally created for that purpose. Ring says that baseball's growth paralleled the development of America and her growing identity which is what turned the game in to a part of the white male dominance of American culture.

Once baseball's identity had been created it was easy to maintain the myth that women did not play and that softball was more suited to women's abilities. This idea was taken further in the story of baseball's origins. A. G. Spalding and others desperately tried to separate the American game from any English games such as rounders because they were considered less masculine and non-American. Dr. Ring tells this story through the life of Spalding and his relationship with his mother and father.

Softball's invention further excluded women because now there was an alternative. A new game was created to answer the critics and the cries for change. It came along at a time when indoor sports like basketball were gaining in popularity for girls. With women being more or less confined to playing softball Ring argues this paralleled a similar movement in society to keep women contained and controlled. It also seemed to follow developing concerns about race and class, again issues used in America to keep people separated.

Dr. Ring raises some fascinating issues and questions through her text. She explores them in some detail with good solid research and ends by concluding that nothing will change until there is a major goal for women to shoot for. As a result, her daughter Lily and others who play today will continue to struggle to get the opportunity and recognition they deserve.