Female Knuckleballer Yoshida Arrives
Published on May 8, 2010 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
(Chico, CA. May 8th, 2010) Eri Yoshida, 18, dubbed the "Knuckle Princess" by the media, arrived on Friday afternoon in Chico, CA by way of Tokyo, Japan. This marks her first steps in the journey to becoming the first woman to ever pitch professionally in two countries.
With Yoshida looking fresh despite making a trans-oceanic flight just a few hours beforehand, Mike Marshall, President and General Manager of the Outlaws, kicked off the press conference thanking the Chico Sports Club for hosting the event. He also commented on Yoshida's competetiveness and abiltity to throw hitters off-balance with a fastball and curveball to go along with her now-legendary knuckleball. He then praised Yoshida for her ability to handle all the hype surrounding her signing, noting she really wants to concentrate on pitching and baseball activities.
Garry Templeton, field manager of the Outlaws, formally introduced Yoshida to the media by handing her a home white uniform top with the number "3" and "Yoshida" stitched across the back, which she put on. Templeton, as was Marshall, was equally impressed with Yoshida after seeing her pitch for the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma, AZ during the 2010 Arizona Winter League, an instructional league run by the Golden Baseball League. "Once you see her on the field, you see immediately she has alot of baseball knowledge", said Templeton. "I think I was a little shocked the first time I saw her myself (in Arizona). She knows alot about the game and can really play."
Yoshida was asked several questions by the media in attendance. She drew laughs as she noted (through her translator) the differences between Japan and Northern California, saying the air quality "...is really good...", which drew a huge round of laughter throughout the room. Yoshida also mentioned her spring training visit with Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in Fort Myers, FL earlier this year, noting "Mr. Wakefield really showed me how to hit a target with it. I really didn't expect to ever see him or talk to him, but he really helped me throw it."
When asked how it felt to strike out a man for the first time, Yoshida simply stated, "Yes!" and pumped her fist as an exclamation point, drawing appreciation from the fans in attendance.
Yoshida also understands she will be serving as a role model to all women who want to someday play professionally. "I'm really hoping that way I'm striving for my dreams means alot of women will start playing baseball, not just in the U.S., but in Japan too", she said. "I'm excited to see to see how many join me."
Marshall mentioned Yoshida would probably be on a restricted throwing regimen the first few days of Outlaws spring training, which the first full-squad workout set for Sunday at Butte College in Oroville, CA. When asked when Yoshida might pitch, both Marshall and Templeton pointed towards May 29th for her first start, when the Outlaws host the Tijuana Cimmarones at 7:05pm at Nettleton Stadium on a Saturday night during the first homestand of the year.
The Outlaws open the 2010 GBL season on the road on Friday May 21st at Tijuana. The home opener for the Outlaws is Wednesday May 26th at 6:35 pm against Tijuana. Full-season tickets and mini-plans are available, as are single game tickets. To purchase tickets, you can call the Outlaws office at 530-345-3210, buy online at www.chicooutlaws.com or stop in person to the Outlaws office located at 313 Walnut Street, Suite 110.
About The Golden Baseball League The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating in the western United States and Canada. Golden Baseball League teams include the Calgary Vipers in Calgary, Alberta Canada; the Chico Outlaws in Chico, CA; the Edmonton Capitals in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, the Orange County Flyers in Fullerton; CA, the Na Koa Ikaika in Maui, HI; the St. George Roadrunners in St. George, Utah; the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma; AZ; the Victoria Seals in Victoria, British Columbia Canada; and the Tucson Toros in Tucson, AZ. Over 100 GBL players have been acquired by major league baseball or professional international baseball organizations during the last four years and over 70 former major leaguers have played in the GBL including MLB All-Stars Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, Jose Lima, Robert Fick, Junior Spivey, Scott Spiezio and Felix Jose. For general information, please visit our League web site at www.goldenbaseball.com.
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 8, 2010
- Female Knuckleballer Yoshida Arrives - Chico Outlaws
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