Could a woman play major league baseball?

[Gaylenwoof]

Originally Posted by panasyncp17

(5) Yes, I think the odds of a female athlete having the physical ability, mental ability, skill set, and upbringing of baseball development are slim to none.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I agree that, in general, the odds will be lower for women than for men. But even odds of, say, a million-to-one would suggest that, if women are allowed to play, there will eventually be some in the game.

I'm curious about the comments people have made about throwing. I've seen photos of women with bigger muscles than I see on most baseball players. So, if properly trained, would they still be unable to throw as well as an average MLB player?

And I'd like to hear some comment on batting. How much straight-up strength is needed to hit into the grandstands? Compared with, say, timing and ability to connect solidly with the ball? (Not that good hitters always have to hit into the grandstands...I'm just trying to get a sense of comparison concerning the relationship between brute strength and batting ability, and whether a woman could hit into the grandstands, even if not as strong, overall, as the average MBL player.)

[TheWiseWino]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

I could see a great athlete being signed as a pinch runner, but that's about it.

An American League woman with a mean knuckle ball? Why the hell not. Every pitcher doesn't need to have a 90mph fast ball and with the designated hitter rule who knows. You have male pitchers like Tim Wakefield who is at his limit pitching 72mph fastball!

I think it is plausible, but still not likely.