Sport Education in Movies

After reading, "A Sense of Community: Japanese-American Girl's and Women's Softball in Los Angeles," I immediately thought of the movie, "A League of Their Own." I have always been aware that women had the chance to participate in the men's workforce by taking the positions in what was then considered "men's jobs" when the men were away at war. I never really thought about the sport aspect of it before. I didn't know real life professional women's sport leagues existed like the All American Women's League. I always thought that the league used in the movie was fake one made up for entertainment value. The article in our book proved me wrong and showed me they did exist. Even in the movie, it made refference to the feminine issues and the regulations they restriced women to follow in order to have a career in baseball. The movie emphasizes how the women had to look pretty and wear cute little dresses that were used for show and not for performance. People weren't concerned with how much their legs were bruised, scratched, and injured; as long as they looked good doing it. The were instructed to have ladylike manners and weren't seen as desirable if they displayed "unladylike" behaviors. Even at the begining of the movie, it shows how the girls had a rough start and was limited to those in the area. It showed that they didn't have a stong following and ridiculed by men just like it happened in real life. At the end, it shows it's true to life when the officials wanted the women to return to their homes where the "belonged" once the men returned from war. Even though "A League of Their Own" was a comedy/drama movie, it had real learning value and showed respect for the women players of World War II baseball league. Just like the Japanese-American girls and women from the reading, the characters in the movie showed the hard work and dedication women put into the sport. It showed what they gave up in order to gain respect and finally be acknowledged for their talen in the sport. It portarys real-life examples that women today can relate and agree with. It also ties in with the video "Dare to Compete." That also taught me more history of women's involvement in sport. The documentary also taught me more about the struggles and achievements of women of different types of sports other than baseball and softball. The reading and the movie show that women had to break free from the status-quo and stand up for themselves. The example of women from the video showed how the first women in sport revolutionized sport and allowed women to be able to particiapte where they once were refused to in the past. The Japanese-American softball league wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the hard work of the past fought so hard to achieve. "A League of Their Own" gives viewers a little insight on what women athletes had to go through during that time period in an entertaining way that people could enjoy, appreciate, and learn from. It helped me understand and appreciate women athletes even more.

Torey Richmond
Kin338I
Sec01
Tues/Thurs
9:30-10:45am