Bullying increasing in Women's Sports discussion with 4 USAWNT Baseball Champions

Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Malaika Underwood & Alex Oglesby, Champions of the USAWNT Women"s Baseball team, discuss the increase in bullying & pushing out of young girls in baseball Talking groups with young players at MLBDevelops Trailblazers uncovered more on how young girls are being pushed off teams & encountering bullying Climate of bullying is getting worse Malaika Underwood recounts that when she was a child playing baseball her team did not care if she was a girl or not. Their main concern was if you were a good player.  The bullying & rudeness often came from parents  Veronica Alvarez points how some Moms in the baseball space talk down young girls in baseball. They treat them as lesser than boys. Parents have an opportunity to teach good behavior toward girls & women to their children Social Media praise of a successful player can increase bullying from the jealousy of others  “Why is she playing instead of my Kid” – overheard by young children builds a prejudice against girls in sports Encourage players to build friendships with others at the baseball camps & stay in touch to support one another   Kelsie Whitmore & Olivia Pichardo discovered that they had to get stronger facing adversity to advance as girls in baseball at college & professional level Idea of these girls are a threat to boys & men’s career is insane. They have the same dream, they want to play baseball Girls may start with baseball in Little League but soon receive the message that they need to play softball.  “We have baseball, you have softball, you don’t belong here”  We need to start creating a pipeline for supporting girls who want to play baseball  Girls are not trying to invade boys baseball it’s just that is the only place for them to play Baseball &  Softball can Co-Exist.  Baseball loses girls to softball due to opportunities  The bullying problem of pushing out girls & women exists beyond baseball,  MLB points to the new softball league as the option for women “They’re just kids being kids” mentality strengthens the bullying Girls internalizing negative remarks about them on social media Girls are expected to be perfect on the field People need to get back to common decency Matheny Manifesto – written as instructions to parents from a coach Travel ball expands number of teams & opinionated parents Good coaches do not tolerate bad behavior from kids or parents Youth’s sports main focus needs to be development, it makes them better students & learn life lessons Co-ed baseball an opportunity for young women & men to play baseball in college Parents need to set the foundation teaching boys to respect the girls & their equality Making it normal that women & girls are in the game Veronica notes how the men on her team respect her as a professional “Boys play baseball?” Sharing stories of their children learning about baseball & softball Need to stick up for girls in sports & show respect Thanks to Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Alex Oglesby & Malaika Underwood for discussing the increase of bullying girls & young women in sports & the steps parents, coaches & players can take. Discover more at www.stopbullying.gov Suggested reading:  The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager"s Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life https://bit.ly/3SQWmJC Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport A Handbook for Policy Makers and Sports Practitioners  https://bit.ly/3SSelzi</