By: Pacifics Staff  | Knuckleballer Eri Yoshida pitches for the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League. Photo courtesy Skip Reager. |
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Eri Yoshida, the 20-year-old female Japanese "Knuckle Princess" is scheduled to start against the Pacifics on Friday night at Albert Park as Na Koa Ikiaka Maui looks to make a run at San Rafael's grip on first-place.
In 2010, when Yoshida was pitching for the Chico Outlaws — and then team manager Mike Marshall — the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum collected the game jersey and bat she used to become the first woman in more than 50 years to collect a hit in a men’s professional league.
That May 29 night, Yoshida became the first woman to pitch professionally in two countries when she worked three innings against the Tijuana Cimarrones. She retired seven of the first 10 batters she faced, and also recorded her first professional base hit and RBI.
"Eri Yoshida's achievements have added another chapter to the historic roles women are playing in professional baseball," said National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson in a story that appeared on Baseballhall.org. "We are pleased that she has agreed to donate her Chico Outlaws game jersey and bat from her first appearance in a professional game. As the first woman to collect a hit in a men's professional league since the Negro Leagues era, these artifacts will enable us to further illustrate how women are shaping the game today."
Thanks to Local Music Vibe San Rafael Pacifics fans will also be treated to an encore performance of San Rafael's own award-winning teen a cappella group — Til Dawn. This talented group of singers brought down the house with a rousing performance of the National Anthem on June 16, and Friday is your next chance to witness another masterful performance.
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