Which will see women players first: MLB, NBA, NFL, or NHL?

2015-07-15T22:35:21-04:00

Which professional sports league will see women players first at the highest level? MLB, NBA, NFL, or NHL? Why? And isn't a bit ironic that NASCAR is often tagged as a sport for hicks and rednecks, yet at least two wonen have driven on the highest level circuit?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 15 at 2015 10:36 PM

2015-07-15T22:36:48-04:00

Oops! I left off PGA. On British Open week nonetheless!!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-07-15T22:57:42-04:00

I would say that women have the best chance of breaking into the NFL first. I found an interesting article that addresses this very subject, and provides a list of superstar femaile athletes that could potentially make the more into professional sports. Even if it is sometime before a woman enters MLB, NBA, NFL, or NHL there has already been a female in the PBA. In fact, Kelly Kulick joined the men's tour and won the 2010 Tournament of Champions.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news/article/6495612/women-pro-sports-women-play-men

Women in Pro Sports -- Can women play with the men?

Since Title IX, the number of women participating in sports has skyrocketed, and the skill level has improved significantly. And still we wonder: Can an exceptional woman ever crack the ranks of men's pro sports? Or should she even try?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 11:17 PM

2015-07-15T23:17:54-04:00

Sir, I have an even better question. Which will see men players first? The LGPA, the WNBA, Womens Soccer Leagues, Womens Softball Leagues, Womens Ice Hockey Leagues?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 16 at 2015 1:01 AM

2015-07-16T01:01:42-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I will say none, but that would be dumb. Probably baseball (MLB), the least of the contact sports. I realized, when my Son was a Bantam Hockey Player (then comes Midget and HS...) why girls and boys don't play together above that level... the average physical differences were becoming noticeable; the boys were on average physically bigger and stronger; no longer fair.

I did not see this growing up, as girls and boys never played on the same teams, and women's teams were an anomaly.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 4:05 AM

2015-07-16T04:05:47-04:00

I really don't see this coming at all. I recently saw a WNBA game, only because it was on the TV at the DFAC and it was pretty sad to watch. They are not even close to their male counterparts. I would put up Duke or UNC's college team up against a pro female team and I still think the college teams would win. The males are just on another level in their abilities. I am sure there might be female that is great compared to other females but when it comes to professional male athletes she will still not excel past the average male athlete. The only place for this might be tennis.

Just think about this. The top 50 players of the NBA individually make more than every player in the WNBA combined. So number 50 is Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors make more money than all of the athletes in the WNBA combined by himself.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 4:58 AM

2015-07-16T04:58:44-04:00

I would say MLB, sir, without a doubt. There are female pitchers who have played professional baseball (not with much success, but the pool is very small). The key is becoming a great knuckleball pitcher, like Tim Wakefield. There are a couple female pitchers who have hit 80-85 mph, which is more than enough arm strength to throw an effective knuckleball. Obviously, Tim Wakefield threw in the 60s, low 70s.
Personally, I pitched in high school and I hit high 70s with a nasty curveball (according to my coach, who pitched in the Atlanta Braves farm system). :) I was 5'7", 115 with a 45 pound bench press in high school, so proper mechanics (and "monkey arms") are seriously underrated. I have no doubt that a female with size (5'10"+), a great arm, a lot of drive, and mastery of the knuckleball could be successful in professional baseball.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/02/04/108325754/louisiana-college-awards-baseball-scholarship-to-female-pitcher

http://nypost.com/2014/08/23/will-a-woman-ever-play-major-league-baseball/

Louisiana college awards baseball scholarship to female pitcher

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 16 at 2015 6:17 AM

2015-07-16T06:17:06-04:00

Women have already participated in PGA events. I think Annika Sorenstam could have made a good living in the PGA. But why only make a living when she could be number 1 in the LPGA.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 16 at 2015 7:11 AM

2015-07-16T07:11:35-04:00

Oddly enough, I would say the National Football League. Punters or placekickers. As long as the league strengthens the 'roughing the kicker' rules. I could see a cellar team bring in a female placekicker for shorter kicks, yes, as a way to attract fans, but if she is accurate enough it just might work. Have to see it incollege first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 7:19 AM

2015-07-16T07:19:58-04:00

If there's enough interest in females playing a specific sport, they can easily create a league just like the WNBA, LPGA, etc.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 16 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-07-16T10:00:28-04:00

NFL, kickers is the most likely.

Of the ones listed (and including PGA), it's a matter of "odds" and how many people are competing. When speaking of baseball, too many players reducing the odds too far. As the vast majority of the sport requires upper body strength it's going to put way too many of people outside "competitive range." Golf creates similar issues. It will happen eventually, but other sports will happen first. Currently the worlds best female golfers just aren't in the same league as the men. They just aren't comparable. It's not a "skill" issue, it's a raw "power" issue (long game vs short game). When we get to NBA the gap narrows significantly, especially since height can end up being a disadvantage in some cases (the taller you are, the more the angle to basket changes). But the closest sport, and specifically position will be the NFL kicker. Although women aren't as "fast" as men, they have equal endurance and strength in their lower bodies, and because of the shorter frames, this can sometimes equate to more power. Sooner or later we will end up with the right combination including skill which will result in an NFL Female Kicker (al a Necessary Roughness).

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-07-16T12:53:47-04:00

Most likely baseball. Not to be sexist, but (most) women simply do not have the sheer size and muscle mass required for a successful career in the NFL, NBA, or NHL.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-07-17T16:51:42-04:00

NHL has already had a woman player at goalie, I think the NBA with the WNBA already in place could see a female player first. The MLB would be next to cross the gender barrier, the NFL would be the last.

Response by SPC Aaron Donnelly made Jul 18 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-07-18T16:27:10-04:00

MLB