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Making My Pitch: A Woman's Baseball Odyssey
Making My Pitch tells the story of Ila Jane Borders, who despite formidable obstacles became a Little League prodigy, MVP of her otherwise all-male middle school and high school teams, the first woman awarded a baseball scholarship, and the first to pitch and win a complete men’s collegiate game. After Mike Veeck signed Borders in May 1997 to pitch for his St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League, she accomplished what no woman had done since the Negro Leagues era: play men’s professional baseball. Borders played four professional seasons and in 1998 became the first woman in the modern era to win a professional ball game.
Borders had to find ways to fit in with her teammates, reassure their wives and girlfriends, work with the media, and fend off groupies. But these weren’t the toughest challenges. She had a troubled family life, a difficult adolescence as she struggled with her sexual orientation, and an emotionally fraught college experience as a closeted gay athlete at a Christian university.
Making My Pitch shows what it’s like to be the only woman on the team bus, in the clubhouse, and on the field. Raw, open, and funny at times, her story encompasses the loneliness of a groundbreaking pioneer who experienced grave personal loss. Borders ultimately relates how she achieved self-acceptance and created a life as a firefighter and paramedic and as a coach and goodwill ambassador for the game of baseball.
Purchase the audio edition.
Borders had to find ways to fit in with her teammates, reassure their wives and girlfriends, work with the media, and fend off groupies. But these weren’t the toughest challenges. She had a troubled family life, a difficult adolescence as she struggled with her sexual orientation, and an emotionally fraught college experience as a closeted gay athlete at a Christian university.
Making My Pitch shows what it’s like to be the only woman on the team bus, in the clubhouse, and on the field. Raw, open, and funny at times, her story encompasses the loneliness of a groundbreaking pioneer who experienced grave personal loss. Borders ultimately relates how she achieved self-acceptance and created a life as a firefighter and paramedic and as a coach and goodwill ambassador for the game of baseball.
Purchase the audio edition.
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First published April 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 4, 2017
One of the favorite movies of my adolescence was A League of Their Own starring Madonna and Tom Hanks about members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Besides the fact that some filming took place at Wrigley Field, the movie showcases how women played America's game while men were fighting in World War II. The league ended in the early 1950s as men returned from war and with it women's dream of playing professional baseball. Women received token opportunities to try out for teams periodically over the next forty years, but none amounted to much. Relegated to playing softball, girls and women had been shut out of playing America's pastime, until Ila Jane Borders successfully won a spot on the St Paul Saints in 1997. In her memoir My Baseball Odyssey, Borders takes her readers on her journey toward her breaking down baseball barriers.
Ila Borders was born in California in 1975. The oldest of four children, Borders' father groomed her to be a baseball pitcher from the time she was five years old. In the 1980s Title IX allowing for gender equality in sports had yet to take root, and few people took Borders seriously. At every tryout she attended as a girl, coaches and league organizers told her father to stick to softball. Yet, neither Borders wanted to be relegated to the softball field, and through hard work and persistence, Ila earned a place on her first Little League team when she turned ten. Until she retired from baseball in 2000, Borders was never told to play softball again.
In high school and college, Borders was named to multiple all-star teams and garnered many awards. Yet, many detractors did not like the idea of a woman playing in an otherwise all male sport. Mothers did not want a girl to strike out their sons, and over the years she received many threats, including a frying pan symbolizing a kitchen left at home plate. Borders developed four quality pitches and persevered despite the naysayers and often times media circus she experienced when she pitched. Many times until she joined a professional league, Borders was the best player on her team and served as a role model for girls wanting to follow in her foot steps.
Both on and off of the field Borders tried to be one of the guys. For the most part, her teammates welcomed her because, in the end, they all wanted to win a championship. The Saints play in the Northern Independent League where players are former major leaguers looking for one last shot or undrafted players like Borders looking for a break. She stuck with the league for three years, teaching life lessons to her teammates, and making detractors realize that her "experiment" was more than just a ploy to boost attendance. At the time of her retirement in 2000, Borders cited that 100,000 girls nationally chose to play baseball, and perhaps some would be good enough to follow in her footsteps.
Borders penned her memoir with the help of collaborator Jean Ardell. Readers found out about the remarkable woman both on and off of the field and felt empathy as she relates some of the tragedies she dealt with in her home life. Written in nine innings, readers feel suspense in knowing the outcome of Borders' career even though the events are long over. Even though Borders never did earn even a minor league try out, she becomes a trailblazer for girls today who hope they aren't told to just play softball. Perhaps one of these girls playing today will be good enough one day to earn that elusive tryout. A fun baseball memoir to read during the season, My Baseball Odyssey is a solid 3.75 stars.
Ila Borders was born in California in 1975. The oldest of four children, Borders' father groomed her to be a baseball pitcher from the time she was five years old. In the 1980s Title IX allowing for gender equality in sports had yet to take root, and few people took Borders seriously. At every tryout she attended as a girl, coaches and league organizers told her father to stick to softball. Yet, neither Borders wanted to be relegated to the softball field, and through hard work and persistence, Ila earned a place on her first Little League team when she turned ten. Until she retired from baseball in 2000, Borders was never told to play softball again.
In high school and college, Borders was named to multiple all-star teams and garnered many awards. Yet, many detractors did not like the idea of a woman playing in an otherwise all male sport. Mothers did not want a girl to strike out their sons, and over the years she received many threats, including a frying pan symbolizing a kitchen left at home plate. Borders developed four quality pitches and persevered despite the naysayers and often times media circus she experienced when she pitched. Many times until she joined a professional league, Borders was the best player on her team and served as a role model for girls wanting to follow in her foot steps.
Both on and off of the field Borders tried to be one of the guys. For the most part, her teammates welcomed her because, in the end, they all wanted to win a championship. The Saints play in the Northern Independent League where players are former major leaguers looking for one last shot or undrafted players like Borders looking for a break. She stuck with the league for three years, teaching life lessons to her teammates, and making detractors realize that her "experiment" was more than just a ploy to boost attendance. At the time of her retirement in 2000, Borders cited that 100,000 girls nationally chose to play baseball, and perhaps some would be good enough to follow in her footsteps.
Borders penned her memoir with the help of collaborator Jean Ardell. Readers found out about the remarkable woman both on and off of the field and felt empathy as she relates some of the tragedies she dealt with in her home life. Written in nine innings, readers feel suspense in knowing the outcome of Borders' career even though the events are long over. Even though Borders never did earn even a minor league try out, she becomes a trailblazer for girls today who hope they aren't told to just play softball. Perhaps one of these girls playing today will be good enough one day to earn that elusive tryout. A fun baseball memoir to read during the season, My Baseball Odyssey is a solid 3.75 stars.
March 22, 2017
This book was amazing. As an avid sports fan, especially of baseball, I loved reading about Ila's experiences. Ila described her games so fantastically, I felt like I was listening to the games on the radio. I was so emotionally invested in her journey and I rooted for her every moment I was reading.
As a female sports fan, I've experienced the sexism that is in men dominated sports and I can't imagine everything Ila has gone through. I've never met Ila, and I doubt I ever will, but I'm incredibly proud of her and everything she's accomplished. She didn't let the sexism stop her and she's extremely inspiring.
Making My Pitch is an insightful look into baseball and what it takes to be a pitcher. It showcases how unnecessarily difficult it is for women to break into the sport, even when they have the skill and talent to be one of the best.
I definitely recommend this book to any sports fan, especially young women. Ila tells it like it is and will show you a new perspective on baseball. She's inspiring and brave and I'll always remember her story.
As a female sports fan, I've experienced the sexism that is in men dominated sports and I can't imagine everything Ila has gone through. I've never met Ila, and I doubt I ever will, but I'm incredibly proud of her and everything she's accomplished. She didn't let the sexism stop her and she's extremely inspiring.
Making My Pitch is an insightful look into baseball and what it takes to be a pitcher. It showcases how unnecessarily difficult it is for women to break into the sport, even when they have the skill and talent to be one of the best.
I definitely recommend this book to any sports fan, especially young women. Ila tells it like it is and will show you a new perspective on baseball. She's inspiring and brave and I'll always remember her story.
April 3, 2017
A courageous memoir from a baseball pioneer. I started and finished this book in one sitting because it was so compelling. Ila Borders became famous in the 1990s for her success as a pitcher on men's teams in high school, college, and eventually the independent minor leagues. In this book, she reveals how the intense glare of the spotlight as America's top female baseball player affected her personally and professionally. She faced a difficult and lonely journey with few role models to learn from, and a mostly nonexistent support system at home and on the road. Her complicated relationship with her strict, abusive father (who negotiated a five-figure marketing deal but then spent all her money) and her struggle to come to terms with her sexuality in a conservative religious environment are insights that have never been revealed in the many profiles written while she was a player. This story should enhance our appreciation of what she was able to accomplish on and off the field.
March 26, 2017
Baseball, like many other sports and occupations, is called “a man’s world.” However, one woman was determined to make a career in baseball. Ila Borders had the drive to do so within her from her Little League playing days. Her story, both inside and outside the sport, is captured in this inspiring memoir, co-written with Jean Hastings Ardell.
While Borders was not the first woman to play in men’s professional baseball, she accomplished many firsts: the first woman to be the winning pitcher in an integrated men’s professional game in the modern era when she got her first win for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 1998, the first woman to receive a baseball college scholarship, and the first woman to start and win a collegiate men’s baseball game.
Even with all of these accomplishments, and despite her constant drive to succeed in baseball until her retirement in 2000, Borders tells her story of constant worry. She is conflicted about her sexual orientation, as she is attracted to women but was fearful of coming out because of her status on men’s baseball teams. Whether it was because of anxiety about the reaction from her teammate’s wives or girlfriends, her fear that she would be a distraction to the team (especially true when she played for professional teams) or her difficulties with dating in general, her story about her struggles with this part of her personal life make for engaging reading. Between her courage on the baseball field, her courage when she finally came out, and the success that came to her after baseball with her career as a paramedic and firefighter, her story is truly inspiring.
Her descriptions of the game are those that only someone who has played and understands the intricacies of the sport can communicate. Whether she was talking about the way she changed the speed of her pitches to keep batters off-guard or the shenanigans that would take place in the bullpen during the games, readers who love baseball will love being taken inside the game and the players.
While the baseball scenes are well-written, this is a memoir that is even better during the sections describing the author’s life outside the sport. While some may believe sports figures do not make good role models, Ila Borders is one that does. Her story should be read by anyone interested in baseball or just a feel-good story in which it is proven that one can overcome many obstacles to live a happy and productive life.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
While Borders was not the first woman to play in men’s professional baseball, she accomplished many firsts: the first woman to be the winning pitcher in an integrated men’s professional game in the modern era when she got her first win for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 1998, the first woman to receive a baseball college scholarship, and the first woman to start and win a collegiate men’s baseball game.
Even with all of these accomplishments, and despite her constant drive to succeed in baseball until her retirement in 2000, Borders tells her story of constant worry. She is conflicted about her sexual orientation, as she is attracted to women but was fearful of coming out because of her status on men’s baseball teams. Whether it was because of anxiety about the reaction from her teammate’s wives or girlfriends, her fear that she would be a distraction to the team (especially true when she played for professional teams) or her difficulties with dating in general, her story about her struggles with this part of her personal life make for engaging reading. Between her courage on the baseball field, her courage when she finally came out, and the success that came to her after baseball with her career as a paramedic and firefighter, her story is truly inspiring.
Her descriptions of the game are those that only someone who has played and understands the intricacies of the sport can communicate. Whether she was talking about the way she changed the speed of her pitches to keep batters off-guard or the shenanigans that would take place in the bullpen during the games, readers who love baseball will love being taken inside the game and the players.
While the baseball scenes are well-written, this is a memoir that is even better during the sections describing the author’s life outside the sport. While some may believe sports figures do not make good role models, Ila Borders is one that does. Her story should be read by anyone interested in baseball or just a feel-good story in which it is proven that one can overcome many obstacles to live a happy and productive life.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
July 21, 2017
I admire dedicated athletes although I've never been one, and I am awed by those whose dedication leads them to give up almost everything to achieve in their sport. I hadn't heard of Ila Borders, a left-handed pitcher, who played on independent professional leagues in the late 1990's. She made many firsts: the first woman to get a baseball scholarship for college, the first woman to start a men's NCAA or NAIA college baseball game, and one of the first female pitchers in men's professional baseball.
From the time she was a little girl, she loved baseball. Her father helped her develop her pitching skills and supported her fight to play baseball rather than softball. Ila grew up Southern Baptist, and throughout her memoir relies on her faith to get her through. She also realized at a young age that she was attracted to the same sex, something she felt she couldn't act on at the risk of losing her church and being thrown out of baseball.
Pitching is the heart of baseball. I learned a lot about pitching, and still have lots more to learn. Ila was a spectacular pitcher but never was able to get her speed out of the 80's. Still, the thought of being able to throw at ball 60 feet at 80 mph is mind blowing. Many pitchers regularly throw balls in the 90's and some achieve over 100 mph. Ila played college baseball from 1994-1997 and professional from 1997-2000.
The salaries Ila earned in independent professional baseball were abysmal. She earned $750 a month, and only got by eating leftovers the concession stands gave players after games, and getting donated cleats and other equipment. While she had many fans and supporters, there were many haters who made her life treacherous, and constantly threatened her safety. Her presence on a team often took attention away from other players, as well as making it hard to do her job. Aside from some of the games when she performed spectacularly , the highlight of her career was being photographed by Annie Lebowitz, and later being invited to Washington DC for an exhibit of Lebowitz's portraits.
The low wages, life on the road, harassment, and living the life as a closeted lesbian all took their toll. There was drama at home - her father was an abusive alcoholic, and openly cheated on his wife- that kept her away. Ila decided in 2000 to walk away from baseball. Eventually she finds peace, but it doesn't happen overnight.
This is a book for anyone interested in women athletes, as well as boundary breaking in baseball. There are parallels with the integration of African American players, and Ila did find inspiration in Jackie Robinson's story. And baseball lovers in general will find this a good read.
From the time she was a little girl, she loved baseball. Her father helped her develop her pitching skills and supported her fight to play baseball rather than softball. Ila grew up Southern Baptist, and throughout her memoir relies on her faith to get her through. She also realized at a young age that she was attracted to the same sex, something she felt she couldn't act on at the risk of losing her church and being thrown out of baseball.
Pitching is the heart of baseball. I learned a lot about pitching, and still have lots more to learn. Ila was a spectacular pitcher but never was able to get her speed out of the 80's. Still, the thought of being able to throw at ball 60 feet at 80 mph is mind blowing. Many pitchers regularly throw balls in the 90's and some achieve over 100 mph. Ila played college baseball from 1994-1997 and professional from 1997-2000.
The salaries Ila earned in independent professional baseball were abysmal. She earned $750 a month, and only got by eating leftovers the concession stands gave players after games, and getting donated cleats and other equipment. While she had many fans and supporters, there were many haters who made her life treacherous, and constantly threatened her safety. Her presence on a team often took attention away from other players, as well as making it hard to do her job. Aside from some of the games when she performed spectacularly , the highlight of her career was being photographed by Annie Lebowitz, and later being invited to Washington DC for an exhibit of Lebowitz's portraits.
The low wages, life on the road, harassment, and living the life as a closeted lesbian all took their toll. There was drama at home - her father was an abusive alcoholic, and openly cheated on his wife- that kept her away. Ila decided in 2000 to walk away from baseball. Eventually she finds peace, but it doesn't happen overnight.
This is a book for anyone interested in women athletes, as well as boundary breaking in baseball. There are parallels with the integration of African American players, and Ila did find inspiration in Jackie Robinson's story. And baseball lovers in general will find this a good read.
October 16, 2017
A very well written and interesting memoir of a female baseball player and the challenges she faced, both from the outside world and from herself. I particularly enjoyed her reflections on her sexuality and religious beliefs, again both her own religious beliefs and how she saw others practicing the same beliefs but through their own interpretation. I regret not having heard of her until I received a free copy of this at bookcon and hope her name is spread around to others more readily in turn.
January 22, 2017
Wonderful memoir of a woman's journey in the world of baseball. Especially interesting if you are a fan of the sport. Also details her struggles growing up with a dysfunctional family, coming to terms with being gay, and life's tragedies. Great tale of determination and perseverance!
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this e-book in return for an honest review*
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this e-book in return for an honest review*
January 29, 2025
I ran across this memoir by Ila Borders and realized that I definitely should have heard of this amazing player before now. I love baseball. It's the one sport I can really follow and have followed since I was a kid watching the Braves with my grandma in the 90's. I wish I had learned of Ila's incredible career then because I know she would have inspired me in a lot of ways as both a person who is queer and just in sheer determination to find my success. Ila's story is not just about baseball, though that is a big portion of this memoir so if you aren't into stats or if sports terminology then keep that in mind, but it's also about how a person balances what they believe and who they are or want to be. It's also about growing up. Growing up in a world that is sometimes much more against you than with you and the perseverance to prove them wrong.
October 24, 2018
The story of Ila Borders is one of triumph, defeat, and hidden identity. Making My Pitch showcases the deep inner thoughts of Ila Borders as she overtook borders preset in baseball, and in the world. In collaboration with Jean Ardell, Borders took the time to showcase her journey from little league to professional baseball. This journey was by no means easy, every turn, every accomplishment was met with a wall of prejudice, from both men and women. With every wall she faced, she continued, she broke down that wall, that border, and continued her journey to change people’s opinions on women in baseball, and women as a whole. In the words of Borders herself, “I have been cursed, spat upon, beaned, and hit with all manner of missiles. I’m not afraid.” She knew exactly what she was up against, and she continued to fight for what she wanted, for what she worked for, and, no matter how down she felt, she never gave up.
Although this book’s main theme is to convey the breakthrough of a woman in baseball, and the prejudices against women that Borders faced, there are other underlying themes. It shows someone growing up, someone burning out, and someone fighting with what she was always taught as correct. This book is inspiring to a huge variety of people, from young women in sports, to feminists, to people struggling with sexual identity. This book is engaging from start to finish, as you watch her accomplish what she’s always wanted to do. Read this book and prepare for an emotional journey of breaking borders, accepting yourself, and doing what you love.
Although this book’s main theme is to convey the breakthrough of a woman in baseball, and the prejudices against women that Borders faced, there are other underlying themes. It shows someone growing up, someone burning out, and someone fighting with what she was always taught as correct. This book is inspiring to a huge variety of people, from young women in sports, to feminists, to people struggling with sexual identity. This book is engaging from start to finish, as you watch her accomplish what she’s always wanted to do. Read this book and prepare for an emotional journey of breaking borders, accepting yourself, and doing what you love.
January 11, 2020
This book was rated four (4) stars because the story behind everything on the determination, feminism, and gives a sense of hope. I loved reading everything behind the book and how it really puts you in Ila’s shoes with everyday common issues with society. The only criticism I could give is a small part of the book gives some boring details over this girl and that's literally it! This book is a great insight on how women are treated in male dominated sports and all the criticisms they face, which is great for female empowerment. The details this book gives on how hard it is to make in the baseball world. It shows how the environment truly is with all the players and guys, it really does put you in their shoes, female or male. Alongside with showing the hard aspects of being a woman in baseball, she struggles with her sexuality and finding a girl, and keeping a good one. In which in many aspects is very relatable with finding the right one and not being able to come out with who you like, as it is deemed unacceptable in many family religions and this book really helps on knowing how it feels. This book is absolutely perfect for feminists, baseball players, softball players, members of the LGBT. I definitely recommend it if you are all in for females, sports and struggling with society. :)
July 18, 2021
I used to watch Ila Borders pitch for both the St. Paul Saints and Duluth Dukes of the old Northern League at St. Paul's Midway Stadium. Needless to say, I was a fan who believed that she earned the right to be there.
While I was already "on her side" so-to-speak when I opened her book, she completely amazed me with her journey. The book is brutally honest. For a baseball book, that's quite refreshing.
She tells it like it is in a no-nonsense sort of way. If she did something wrong, we experience the grief, sorrow or frustration. We also experience the high's of winning championships. But in between the extremes, we get a good hard look at the struggle that female baseball players have in breaking into the male dominated sport, and gaining acceptance from teammates.
The writing is fresh and the experiences are real. You cannot pass up a good book that is brutally honest. That's what rates this five stars.
While I was already "on her side" so-to-speak when I opened her book, she completely amazed me with her journey. The book is brutally honest. For a baseball book, that's quite refreshing.
She tells it like it is in a no-nonsense sort of way. If she did something wrong, we experience the grief, sorrow or frustration. We also experience the high's of winning championships. But in between the extremes, we get a good hard look at the struggle that female baseball players have in breaking into the male dominated sport, and gaining acceptance from teammates.
The writing is fresh and the experiences are real. You cannot pass up a good book that is brutally honest. That's what rates this five stars.
April 9, 2022
I could understand how people would really like this book. I feel like the assumed reader knows more about the sport than I do and that's probably why my review isn't exactly glowing. There are chapters, particularly in the beginning and end that are deeply, universally human and speak to Ila as a person rather than Ila as a ball player (this duality is something she herself describes in the book). I don't love baseball and my knowledge of the game is next to nothing, so for all the time the narrative spent going over stats and pitching and batting averages, I never learned to make any sense of it. I come away believing Ila Borders is a truly interesting athlete and a really strong person, but from where I'm sitting this book failed to hit it out of the park.
September 18, 2018
A really interesting look into the life of the first woman to start a men's professional baseball game, among many other trailblazing firsts. Borders doesn't hold anything back either, with plenty of detail on her complicated home life growing up, the low points of being a professional baseball player in an independent league, her struggle with remaining in the closet during her baseball years, and her challenges adjusting to life after baseball. Borders has faced a lot in her life, but it's not all bad, and it makes the highs even more inspiring. A worthwhile read, even for non-baseball fans.
February 2, 2022
I was expecting a good baseball story and I got it but I was not expecting this to be as profound a woman's story as it was. You DO NOT have to be a baseball fan to appreciate Ila's story. Sure, that's there and there's a lot of being in the ultimate boys' club. But that's not *really* what this is about. It's about faith and coming to terms with your sexuality in the context of faith and understanding yours may not be the best timing. It's a sometimes brutal (content warnings for child abuse and partner loss) woman's story about how you come back when you've given up everything for a dream...and how you come back again. It's just a gorgeously beautiful book.
September 3, 2019
What a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm surprised and ashamed that I hadn't known about Ila Borders, being that I consider myself a pretty serious baseball fan. Her story is fascinating and inspiring. I think Ardell does an excellent job recounting Ila's story (I'm assuming she's the co-author most responsible for the high quality of the writing, because, in the book, Borders mentions a few times that the written word is not her forte).
All young women and baseball fans should read this memoir. I'm so glad I did.
All young women and baseball fans should read this memoir. I'm so glad I did.
April 30, 2018
This book is a very complex and has many different points of views. This book has some touchy spots in the context. About sexist points of view in baseball and girls playing baseball and not softball. She pushed her self harder than any of the boys she made them look years younger. The coaches would have kids throw at her even in high school and minor league games. She pushed past all of the barriers and walls to get passed all of the sexist points of view.
January 24, 2019
I'm a little surprised that 20 years after Borders played professional baseball in the Northern league, we are just now starting to see other women break into the field.
Having a real interest in pitching helps for enjoying the book. Thankfully, I have gotten more into baseball over the past few years, or else some of her inning play-by-plays would have gone more over my head.
Borders is fighter, off the field and on. Her story is one worth knowing.
Having a real interest in pitching helps for enjoying the book. Thankfully, I have gotten more into baseball over the past few years, or else some of her inning play-by-plays would have gone more over my head.
Borders is fighter, off the field and on. Her story is one worth knowing.
June 22, 2018
IIa Borders shares her story of her dreams and aspirations to excel in the sport she loves which is baseball. She tells about the trials and tribulations of wanting to make the team with men who can either be with her or against her in her dream to succeed. IIa soon learns that just focusing on her goal to make and/or stay on the team can come at a personal cost. However, she finds her inner truths of being who she is as a person and at the same time loving what she enjoys most-playing baseball and being married to the person she loves.
IIa wrote her book to also inspire girls and women to play baseball as she shares her expertise in teaching girls to do so. Bottom Line: We need more girls and women to play baseball either in their own leagues or with boys and men prospectively in theirs.
I wrote my chapter book, "Breaking Barriers: A Girl's Dream to Play Little League Baseball with Boys" with similar themes to inspire girls to play baseball with boys as well.
Robbin Miller
IIa wrote her book to also inspire girls and women to play baseball as she shares her expertise in teaching girls to do so. Bottom Line: We need more girls and women to play baseball either in their own leagues or with boys and men prospectively in theirs.
I wrote my chapter book, "Breaking Barriers: A Girl's Dream to Play Little League Baseball with Boys" with similar themes to inspire girls to play baseball with boys as well.
Robbin Miller
April 28, 2023
shares that her father was a ballplayer and that she was raised as a tuff skins girl, playing baseball through high school. gets a college scholarship and attends a scho0l of faith but sees nonbeliever behavior. signs with independent baseball and plays herself to exhaustion, loosing the eye of the tiger, loses her love. retires. insightful, b/w pix, swearing, movie?
January 31, 2020
Sometimes this book felt like reading a play by play on baseball games, and I lost interest, but three stars for the other parts. I freely admit that I don’t know enough about baseball to understand those details, so it’s my fault I got bored.
June 30, 2021
A well constructed book about a remarkable player. The pitch by pitch commentary is deeply engaging as it’s done in first-person. The narrative of her personal life and the actual day-to-day struggles of a female baseball player in the tough Northern League is a study in tenacity.
September 18, 2017
"Love is the greatest thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too."
September 27, 2017
I completely read a sports book in two days. That alone means that it's a good one! Review to come in SLJ AB4T.
December 9, 2019
I finally feel validated as a person.
July 11, 2021
This was a good read about a woman who had an amazingly career in baseball and became the first female to start and win a game in the minor leagues.
September 18, 2019
As an athlete and a fan of women's sports autobiographies, I think this book is great. Ila's story is inspirational in so many ways and she writes in a way that keeps you interested in her journey.
I am surprised to see only 16 reviews on GoodReads about Ila's book. More people need to know her story!
I am surprised to see only 16 reviews on GoodReads about Ila's book. More people need to know her story!
April 5, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
A brilliant insight into the life of a woman attempting to break into men's baseball.
If you are good enough and determined anything is possible.
A brilliant insight into the life of a woman attempting to break into men's baseball.
If you are good enough and determined anything is possible.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews