Girls baseball tournament to be part of Jackie Robinson Day
NEW YORK (AP) Jackie Robinson Day is getting sweeter still.
Major League Baseball and USA Baseball announced Thursday the inaugural Trailblazer Series, a girls baseball tournament hosted in conjunction with the day honoring the former Dodgers star, major league baseball's signature trailblazer.
Approximately 100 girls, ages 16 and under, representing 20 states, Washington D.C. and Canada, will participate in the three-day tournament in the greater Los Angeles area beginning April 13. It concludes on April 15, 70 years to the day that Robinson became the first African-American to play in the majors.
The girls are divided into two age divisions and have been placed on eight teams by random selection. They'll be coached by some of the nation's top female baseball coaches and players.
Teams are named for notable alumnae from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which lasted from 1943-54. AAGPBL alumnae Shirley ''Hustle'' Burkovich and Maybelle ''Mae'' Blair will throw out first pitches during the event.
