Monday, February 24, 2025, 11:39AM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement
Mo'ne Davis captured the imagination of the sports world last August in Williamsport.
2
MORE

More girls playing Little League baseball in aftermath of Mo'ne Davis

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

More girls playing Little League baseball in aftermath of Mo'ne Davis

PHILADELPHIA — Mo’ne Davis was the talk of the sports world and beyond after becoming the first female to win a game in the Little League World Series. Her success has inspired other girls to pursue baseball, though no girls will be playing for the championship at Williamsport when the 16-team tournament starts today.

“Females playing in the world series is a matter of luck,” said Stephen D. Keener, chief executive of Little League. Many teams compete for each of the spots and participation from girls is still relatively low.

Davis and her Taney Dragons won the Mid-Atlantic regional last year and the teenager captivated fans with her performance on the mound. She tossed a two-hitter with eight strikeouts to help Philadelphia beat Nashville, 4-0, in the series opener for both teams, becoming the only girl to get a shutout in series history.

Advertisement

That thrust Davis into the national spotlight and she became an overnight celebrity.

Davis appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was named The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She wrote a book, starred in a Spike Lee-directed car commercial, became the subject of a Disney Channel movie and met President Barack Obama and his family at the White House.

“You want to always follow your dreams,” she said.

It’s no coincidence more girls were playing with the boys on baseball diamonds across the country this summer. Ellen Siegel, secretary of the Taney Youth Baseball Association, estimated a 20-25 percent increase in female participation, including softball where the league expanded to two age divisions.

Advertisement

“The other difference that I noticed was in coaches,” Siegel said. “They seemed much more eager to draft girls for their teams this season. And that I definitely attribute to Mo’ne.”

Little League won’t have final participation numbers for the entire program until later this fall. Beyond her performance, Davis impressed with her poise as her publicity soared.

“She’s always quick to point out that the attention she’s receiving wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for her teammates and that’s such a mature outlook for a kid her age,” Keener said. “Not a lot of kids show that maturity in the spotlight.”

First Published: August 20, 2015, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
‘We will fight back’: Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president’s administration
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022.
2
news
Officer killed in York hospital shootout was PennWest California graduate
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
3
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
4
sports
Jason Mackey: Why the Andrew Heaney signing makes sense and what it could mean for the Pirates
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reacts after a sack against Wake Fores during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
5
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits on defensive line
Mo'ne Davis captured the imagination of the sports world last August in Williamsport.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Pennsylvania's Mo'ne Davis delivers in the first inning against Tennessee during a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. Davis was the talk of the sports world and beyond after becoming the first female to win a game in the Little League World Series. Her success has inspired other girls to pursue baseball, though no girls will be playing for the championship at Williamsport when the 16-team tournament starts Thursday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)  (Gene J. Puskar)
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story