The Girl in Centerfield

In May of 1973, a 12-year-old girl in pigtails from Ypsilanti, Michigan made history by taking on the largest youth sports organization in America.  Carolyn King was simply looking to play baseball when she tried out for a spot in the Ypsilanti American Little League.  She went to the tryouts with her younger brother, and impressed the coaches with her strong throwing arm and her speed.  The coach of the Orioles was looking for a center fielder, and he thought that Carolyn might fit the bill, so he drafted her.  One problem: In 1951, the National Little League organization in Williamsport, Pa., had enacted a rule that specifically said girls were not eligible to play.  National officials felt the sport of baseball was too dangerous for girls, so they decided to restrict their leagues to boys.  The National Little League threatened to pull the local league’s charter if Carolyn played, but the City of Ypsilanti said that if she didn’t play, the league couldn’t use the city’s fields. When she suited up for the Orioles in their first game - making history in the process - the National Little League followed through on its threat to pull the local league’s charter.   That set up a summer of controversy and showdowns in Ypsilanti that strongly divided the community as the case headed to federal court.  It made national headlines in 1973, and landed the story on the evening news. In the middle of it all was a 12-year-old in pigtails who simply wanted to play baseball.  Carolyn’s case and the national uproar it caused prompted National Little League officials to drop their boys-only rule.  In 1974, thanks to Carolyn King, girls became eligible to play Little League baseball.  The Ypsilanti American Little League founded in 1953, is the oldest Little League in Michigan and the first in the world to include a female player

“The Girl in Centerfield,” a feature-length documentary produced by Detroit-based Stunt3 Multimedia, is the story of Carolyn King’s fight to play Little League baseball. Using interviews, stock footage, and re-creation, Stunt3 will weave together the drama of the summer of 1973 when the nation watched as the city of Ypsilanti went head-to-head with Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the institution of Little League Baseball.  The film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2010. On Thursday, July 19, 2010, 7-8:30pm Ypsilanti District Library will premiere the trailer for the documentary and host a personal appearance by Carolyn King Minot. 

Carolyn King Minot being interviewed for”The Girl in Centerfield”

Vancil Shuts Out Sliders

Vancil Shuts Out Sliders

YPSILANTI, MI, August 26, 2009

Preston Vancil bottled up the Sliders hitting Wednesday night for the Florence Freedom as they beat the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti 4-0. Vancil was the story of the night as he only allowed two hits throwing a complete game shutout.

The two Slider hits came from Robbie Knapp in the second inning, and Bryan Bonner in the eighth. Bonners double in the eighth was the only Sliders scoring opportunity as Vancil only allowed one runner in scoring position and three base runners all night.

Jon Haldis did have a solid second start allowing four runs in six innings.

Florence will go for the sweep Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium. After this game the Sliders will only have one more home series when Washington Wild Things come into town for a three game set this weekend.

Sliders Drop Doubleheader

YPSILANTI, MI, August 25, 2009

The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti losing streak has reached a season high five games after they lost both games against the Florence Freedom Tuesday night at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium.

The first game Florence lit up the board with 18 hits and 13 runs to show for. Freedom won 13-3 and jumped on Sliders early to leave no doubt. They scored five runs in the top of the first inning helped by two homers in their first at bats from Justin Pickett and Jay Johnson.

As the night grew Florence lead did as well as they expanded it too 13-1 by the fifth inning. Jimmy Baker did have a mammoth homer in the top of the sixth that gave the Slider fans something to cheer about.

Game two wasn’t that much better, although Midwest didn’t allow as many runs they still fell 4-1. The Sliders had their chances but couldn’t capitalize on big opportunities.

Freedom jumped out to a led early scoring in the first, and in the fourth helped by a monstrous shot by John Welch giving them a 4-0 advantage.

Sliders scored their first run from a double by Jeremy Jones, and doubled in by Byran Bonner.

Midwest had a huge chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the fifth when they loaded the bases and had only one out. Two groundouts later Florence squeaked out of a very tough jam still leading 4-1.

Wednesday Jon Haldis will take the mound to try to stop the Sliders skid. The first pitch will begin at 7:05 p.m. at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium. There are only five more Sliders home games left, as Sunday will be the clubs last home game this season.

Sliders Struggles Continue, Miners Earn Sweep

Sliders Struggles Continue, Miners Earn Sweep

MARION- The Southern Illinois Miners didn’t need their third walk-off of the series to earn the sweep against the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti. The Sliders fell 7-1 and tied the season high four game losing streak heading back home.

Tuesday’s doubleheader with Florence Freedom will start the last home stand of the season. It will be seven games long. Sunday will be the final Sliders home game in 2009 at EMU’s Oestrike Stadium.

Zack Pace drove in Midwest’s lone run in the eighth inning after the Miners had the game in hand. Nolan Shaffer got the loss and his record falls to 3-5 on the season.

Midwest will enjoy a rare day off Monday to regroup after a tough 1-5 road trip to get there things together for the final home stretch of games. Tuesday’s gates open at 4 p.m. with the first game of the doubleheader starting at 5:05 p.m. The Sliders will play two seven inning games Tuesday night.

More Miner Miracles

More Miner Miracles

MARION, ILL, August 23, 2009

Southern Illinois Miners won a remarkable fourth straight game in walk off fashion Saturday night at Rent One Park. The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti came from behind in the ninth to tie the game, but lost it in the 10^th inning 5-4.

Midwest scored three runs between the third and fourth innings which was highlighted by a Jonnie Knoble two-run single. Southern Illinois held a 4-3 lead all the way through the eighth inning.

Scott Van Es started for the Sliders and threw six innings allowing four runs and didn’t earn a decision. He gave way to P.J. Zocchi who pitched the 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th allowing only two hits.

The Sliders were down the their last out in the ninth when Robbie Knapp singled driving in Zack Pace to tie the game up, forcing extra innings.

When Zocchi came bout out in the tenth inning he couldn’t record a single out. The leadoff man tripled, which was followed by a walk off single to end the game.

Miners will look to extend their winnings steak to six games and get the sweep against Midwest Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Nolan Schaffer will take the mound for the Sliders.

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