体坛英语资讯：Justine Siegal Makes Major League Baseball History_娱乐

体坛英语资讯：Justine Siegal Makes Major League Baseball History

Justine Siegal has made history by becoming the first woman to pitch batting practice for a Major League Baseball team. Despite a case of nerves, the pony-tailed Siegal broke the gender barrier with spring training pitching stints for the Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics.

Justine Siegal has dreamed of playing Major League Baseball since childhood. The 36-year-old Cleveland native grew up rooting for baseball's Cleveland Indians and says she started playing the game as a five-year-old.

"I have been doing it my whole life and I just always loved the game and I wanted to keep playing. When I was about 13, I was told it was time to go over to softball - that is what girls did. But I decided to ignore that first coach and a line of many others, because I really loved baseball. And I did not see any reason why I should quit," she said.

体坛英语资讯：Justine Siegal Makes Major League Baseball History1

Justine continued to play in community baseball leagues and eventually ended up on her high school squad. But she says it was sometimes a challenge to find coaches who would let her play.

"I did play for my high school, so I had a good experience with my high school, but it was not always easy. But when you love something you go after it," she said.

Justine Siegal continued her involvement in the game known as "America’s Pastime." After high school she played in a variety of men’s leagues.

In 2007 she broke gender barriers as college baseball’s only female assistant coach when she started a four-year stint with Springfield College in the northeast state of Massachusetts, pitching batting practice the past three years. Then in 2009 Siegal made history as the first woman to coach first base in professional baseball when she joined an independent league team in Massachusetts, the Brockton Rox.