Sliding Into History: The Legacy of USU Women's Softball Champions 1980 – 1981: History of Women in Baseball

The involvement of women in baseball dates back further than historians can track. Baseball has appeared in various forms throughout history. In more recent year's women were heavily involved in the sport during the 1800s,1900s, and still today. Women throughout history have participated mainly on an amateur level, due to baseball being traditionally a men's sport. Women were told high physically demanding sports can damage their fertility. Despite societal push back women suffragettes began to participate in the mid to late 1800s. This led to a group of women called the Bloomer girls, who would play men's teams. As time went on softball was created and women were encouraged to move to the newly created sport. However, women still participated in baseball through forms of either playing in men's minor leagues, umpire work or on an intramural level. During World War II, The All-American Girls Baseball Team was created. The league was a hybrid between baseball and softball. The league lasted for a few years and was eventually disbanded. Again, this was not the end of women's participation in baseball. After Title IX’s creation competitions such as the Women’s National Baseball Cup were created. Another example is the Women's national team. Both have broken into the men's sport of baseball providing more opportunities for women to participate in the sport. These historical women made a lasting impact and contributed to the growth we see today in women's athletics. This influence and inspiration can be found at Utah State, which has a legacy of women's softball. 

By Claire Rice