Kitty Burke

Kitty Burke was a nightclub entertainer from Cincinnati, Ohio who was noted for being the only female to ever attempt to bat in a Major League Baseball game, albeit unofficially. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

On July 31, 1935, Burke was sitting in the stands at Crosley Field during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals when she began heckling the players. ^[4] In what may have been a publicity stunt, she then strode to the on-deck circle, took Babe Herman's bat and proceeded to "pinch hit". ^{[5] [6]} She ended up grounding out to first base; however, the appearance was purely informal, and the umpires did not count this as an official at bat or out, as she was not on the roster. ^{[7] [8]} Allegedly, the Reds later gave her a uniform which she used while performing her act. ^[9]

References

1. Zoss, Joel (2004). Diamonds in the Rough . U of Nebraska Press. p.  119. ISBN   978-0-8032-9920-7. Kitty Burke baseball.
2. "The Stories of Jackie and Kitty". The Ledger. April 28, 2002. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
3. Seymour, Harold (May 30, 1991). "Baseball: The People's Game". Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-506907-5 . Retrieved May 30, 2009.
4. Seymour, Harold (May 30, 1991). "Baseball: The People's Game". Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-506907-5 . Retrieved May 30, 2009.
5. Seymour, Harold (May 30, 1991). "Baseball: The People's Game". Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-506907-5 . Retrieved May 30, 2009.
6. Smith, Curt (2003). Storied Stadiums: Baseball's History. Carroll & Graf. ISBN   978-0-7867-1187-1.
7. "Baseball '99 -- the Cincinnati Enquirer". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
8. "The Stories of Jackie and Kitty". The Ledger. April 28, 2002. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
9. "The Stories of Jackie and Kitty". The Ledger. April 28, 2002. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2009.