Justine Siegal: First woman ever to pitch MLB batting practice

[Auggie]

mlb.com / 2-21-11

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Cleveland native Justine Siegal will fulfill a lifelong dream when she steps on a mound at the Indians' player development complex on Monday. Siegal will become the first woman to throw batting practive to a Major League team.

"I grew up wanting to be a Cleveland Indian. This is a dream come true," Siegal wrote on her MLBlog. "I want to show that baseball is a game for all and that both boys and girls love this game. My throwing BP is proof that dreams really can come true."

Siegal approached Indians general manager Chris Antonetti at the Winter Meetings to discuss the possibility of throwing batting practice to his club. It will become a reality on Monday morning, when she will face Minor League hitters with the chance to throw to some big league players as well.

Following her trip to Goodyear, Ariz., Siegal will head to Phoenix to throw batting practice against the Oakland A's on Feb. 23. During both BP sessions, Siegal will honor the memory of Christina Talyor Green -- the 9-year-old killed during January's shooting in Tucson, Ariz. -- by wearing Green's Little League memorial patch.

LINK: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110216&content_id=16651138¬ebook_id=16653294&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle

From her blog (http://justinebaseball.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/02/bp-press-release.html?obref=obinsite)

To prepare to throw to the A's and the Indians, Siegal has been throwing to various colleges, including Northeastern University, UMASS Amherst, American International College, and Springfield College. Siegal has also been strengthening her arm with personal trainer Mike Zolkiewicz, former Braves intern and current Highland Games world record holder. Siegal would like to continue throwing BP to other MLB teams. Off the field, Siegal is a Ph.D. Candidate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Springfield College (MA) and the mother of Jasmine, her 13-year old daughter.

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Great story: :thumbsup:

[Kingofalldems]

1. She should come down to Florida and pitch a little BP

[KamaAina]

2. The sad thing is they could probably use her

:P

[Auggie]

4. Cleveland is looking for a fifth starter

[flvegan]

3. Next week, she'll pitch a perfect game against the Nationals.