Little League participation by girls
Little League participation by girls has evolved significantly since its inception in 1939. Originally intended solely for boys, the organization officially excluded girls from participation until the 1970s, despite initial intentions that did not specify gender restrictions. Advocates argued that baseball should be accessible to all children, emphasizing that girls were equally capable athletes. The struggle for inclusion gained notable traction through legal action, most prominently Maria Pepe's case in 1971, which highlighted issues of gender discrimination and ultimately led to a landmark ruling in favor of female players. In 1974, following court decisions and public pressure, Little League allowed girls to try out for teams, marking a pivotal shift in the organization’s policy. This change opened doors for female athletes and helped boost participation rates, particularly with the introduction of a girls-only softball program. By the late 1970s, the presence of girls in Little League baseball had increased, and the impact of this inclusion was reflected in both sports culture and the broader societal acceptance of female athletes. Overall, the journey of girls in Little League illustrates the ongoing fight for gender equality in sports and recreation.
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Subject Terms
Little League participation by girls
The Event Little League officials end boys-only baseball teams
Date Became law on December 26, 1974
Children, age eight through twelve, gained access to Little League baseball teams regardless of their gender.
When Carl Stotz established Little League baseball in 1939, he did not specify gender restrictions but intended eligibility only for boys. By 1951, Little League headquarters officially ruled to exclude girls. Two decades later, Little League executives still considered girls too weak to play baseball. They stated that because Congress had granted the Little League’s 1964 federal charter, only those legislators could approve changes. Officials justified the exclusionary policy by describing Little League as an essential training phase for boys to perfect skills and gain experience to pursue college scholarships and professional careers unavailable to females. Advocates for girls in Little League emphasized that baseball should be recreational and help children develop teamwork skills, and they stressed that girls were athletically capable. Some communities established coed teams to replace Little Leagues. The Mother’s March on the Little League lobbied Congress.
When parents filed discrimination lawsuits, most state courts said that they had no jurisdiction over Little League. Maria Pepe’s lawsuit was the catalyst for change. Invited by a coach, she tried out for Little League in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1971. Selected as team pitcher, Pepe played in three games before opposing teams complained to Little League headquarters. Officials warned that the team would be penalized if Pepe remained on the roster. The National Organization for Women (NOW) filed a civil rights suit, declaring that Pepe had suffered sexual discrimination in the use of public facilities, which was addressed in Title IX—the 1972 legislation that protected gender equality in education and prohibited use of federal funds to support discriminatory practices.
In early 1974, New Jersey’s Division of Civil Rights and State Superior Court said that Pepe’s equal rights had been unlawfully denied and demanded that Little League start allowing girls to play baseball. The state assembly defeated a Little League effort to delay inclusion of female players. Approximately 2,000 teams representing 150,000 players quit in protest. Court representatives warned national officials of possible fines and imprisonment. On June 12, 1974, Little League headquarters stated that girls could try out for teams. However, few girls benefited immediately because this rule change occurred after spring tryouts and team assignments; Pepe was too old to participate. Little League asked Congress to reword its charter. After the bill passed, President Gerald Ford signed it into law on December 26, 1974.
Impact
The Little League decision enhanced improvements in females’ athletic opportunities and increased participation. Little League officials introduced a girls-only Little League softball program in 1974. Approximately 29,000 girls participated during its inaugural season. By 1977, the number of girls playing Little League baseball peaked, representing 1 percent of 2.25 million team members in 31 countries. Revised instruction manuals incorporated girls’ photographs.
The Little League change began to be reflected in popular culture as well. Novels based on real cases included Isabella Taves’s NotBad for a Girl (1972) and Bill J. Carol’s Single to Center (1974). Tatum O’Neal starred as a Little League pitcher in the film The Bad News Bears (1976), and a similar television sitcom premiered in 1979.
Bibliography
Pogrebin, Letty Cottin. “Baseball Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Ms. Magazine 3, 3 (September, 1974): 79-82.
Van Auken, Lance, and Robin Van Auken. Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2001.