Show me the Mo'ne

A smile almost as smooth as her fastball...

 

I’m sick of hearing jokes about the WNBA.

I’m sick of seeing guys wear a t-shirts that say “Cool story babe, now make me a sandwich…”
I’m sick of seeing the statistics on the disproportionality in female and male sports’ coverage in news programs.

And I’m sick to my stomach thinking that women feel excluded from the sport atmosphere in 2014.

Seeing such extensive coverage on Mo’ne Davis, this year’s Little League World Series phenomenon was a much needed breath of fresh air.

As a 13-year-old, she pitched a complete game shutout at the highest level available to her, and led her team all the way to the national quarterfinals.

That warrants a lot of nationwide attention, and even more respect from sports fans everywhere.

Those with the audacity to say that it is simply a publicity stunt for ESPN to give so much attention to a 13-year-old girl should check the numbers.

Davis is something special.

The stud pitcher arms herself with a fastball that touches 72 MPH, the effect of which would resemble a full-grown adult throwing a ball 95 MPH.

Davis took the mound at Dodger Stadium to throw out the honorary first pitch on Tuesday.
Who followed her? Only Clayton "Best Pitcher on the Earth" Kershaw...  

That is awfully impressive, not just for a female player, but for humans in general.

Her raw talent not only raised her own fame exponentially, but that of her sport as a whole.

In her team’s final game of the tournament, 34,000 fans packed the hosting stadium, with over five million watching on TV according to Sports Media Watch.

By comparison, the average MLB game brings in an average of about 27,500 fans.

Sure, we’re talking about a national tournament compared to the MLB regular season, but it’s still astounding for amateurs to outdraw professionals.

But is all of this attention being paid simply because Davis is a female in a sport and an entire industry that is theoretically built for men?

Well if that’s the case, why isn’t there nearly as much coverage on Kayla Roncin, another 13-year-old young woman in the Little League World Series?

The fact is Davis dominated Sports center on a nightly basis in August because of her likeability, her flair, her determination and most importantly her absolutely filthy fastball.

Not because she lacks a Y chromosome.

Not because she is some glitch in the athletic system.

Not because there was nothing else to talk about in the sporting stratosphere.

She earned it.

Like any other athlete that is recognized for their accomplishments, Mo’ne Davis practiced and polished her athletic gift to the point where she conquered the competition.

I shouldn’t even have to defend her like this. Frankly, I’m relieved that she has been showered with honors over the past few weeks.

I wasn't even reading Sports Illustrated at 13...

From being the youngest athlete ever to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated to throwing out the honorary first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, I hope that Davis is gladly soaking it all in.

Is she a surefire future major leaguer? Of course not.

But people should stop saying that she is only on the news because she is female, because honestly I’m sick of it.