Top Little League Pitcher in the US is a Girl. Chelsea Baker, 13, of Plant City, Florida Throws a Mean Knuckleball

Plant City, Florida just off of Interstate 4, is the winter strawberry capital of the world. Plant City is famous for its midwinter Annual Strawberry Festival which attracts tourists from all over the world.

Today Plant City has another attraction. It is home to 13 year old, Chelsea Baker, who is this years' top pitcher in Little League baseball....not top girl pitcher, but top pitcher over every kid (boys)in the United States who play Little League baseball.

Brandon Farms, Chelsea's Plant City Little League team, is district champion and Chelsea Baker is their star. She is a girl pitcher on an all boys' team. Chelsea has thrown two perfect games. She finished the season 12-0, and hasn't lost a game in four years. She has many boys secretly wishing they could throw like a girl...like her.

After her second perfect game this season, she was featured on ESPN and Good Morning America. Adorable, poised and talented, she is becoming a media darling. Documentary makers have been filming her appearances as she tours the country, and are coming to Plant City to film 13 year old Chelsea, as she begins her first year of high school.

Chelsea is part of a growing number of female athletes proving that girls can compete right along with boys in certain sports. The Baseball Hall of Fame asked Chelsea to donate the #12, Brandon Farms jersey she was wearing in her April 9th perfect game.

Chelsea's jersey will be featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame's exhibit titled, "Diamond Dreams" dedicated to the history of women in baseball from the 1800's to the present. She is the youngest player ever honored by the HOF in this manner.

With her 65mph. fastball Chelsea has faced lots of insults and jeers from parents of the boys she strikes out. Frequently the boys are reduced to tears.

Her secret weapon, the knuckleball, was learned from Joe Neikro, who pitched for the Cubs, Tigers, Padres, Braves, Astros, Yankees, and Twins over a 21-year career. Mr. Neikro was coach of the Little League Team both his son and Chelsea played on. Joe Neikro died from a brain aneurysm in 2006.

Chelsea's step-dad, Rod Mason is Chelsea's biggest fan and coach. As a tot, Chelsea had no interest in participating in the little girl beauty pageants her mom enjoyed. Playing catch with her step-dad was much more fun.

Chelsea is a 4.0 honor student and hopes other girls will be inspired by her. She says her main focus now is on high school and playing on an all boy baseball team.

Her mom, Melissa Mason says that perhaps someday Chelsea will have to play softball. Until then she will support her efforts to play baseball. As a parent, Melissa is thrilled by the recognition Chelsea is receiving, in fact she says she is just "tickled pink."

Sources:

ESPN

Good Morning America

TBO...Tampa Bay Online

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/chelsea-baker-13-year-old-girl-leads-little-league

http://coopercrier.com/localsports/x618367984/Girl-is-in-a-league-of-her-own