Kitty Burke Explained

Kitty Burke was a nightclub entertainer from Cincinnati, Ohio who was noted for being the only female to ever attempt to bat in a Major League Baseball game, albeit unofficially.^{[1] [2] [3]}

On July 31, 1935, Burke was sitting in the stands at Crosley Field during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals when she began heckling the players.^[4] In what may have been a publicity stunt, she then strode to the on-deck circle, took Babe Herman's bat and proceeded to "pinch hit".^{[5] [6]} She ended up grounding out to first base; however, the appearance was purely informal, and the umpires did not count this as an official at bat or out, as she was not on the roster.^{[7] [8]} Allegedly, the Reds later gave her a uniform which she used while performing her act.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Book: Zoss, Joel. Diamonds in the Rough. registration. 119. Kitty Burke baseball.. 978-0-8032-9920-7 . 2004 . U of Nebraska Press.
2. News: The Stories of Jackie and Kitty. https://archive.today/20120713013829/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4twSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sP0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6785,5751274&dq=kitty-burke+baseball. dead. July 13, 2012. April 28, 2002. The Ledger. 2009-05-30.
3. News: Baseball: The People's Game. Seymour. Harold. 30 May 1991. Oxford University Press. 2009-05-30 . 978-0-19-506907-5.
4. News: Baseball: The People's Game. Seymour. Harold. 30 May 1991. Oxford University Press. 2009-05-30 . 978-0-19-506907-5.
5. News: Baseball: The People's Game. Seymour. Harold. 30 May 1991. Oxford University Press. 2009-05-30 . 978-0-19-506907-5.
6. Book: Smith, Curt. Storied Stadiums: Baseball's History. 978-0-7867-1187-1 . 2003 . Carroll & Graf.
7. Web site: Baseball '99 -- the Cincinnati Enquirer . 2009-05-30 . https://archive.today/20120716060359/http://reds.enquirer.com/reds99/100moments.html . 2012-07-16 . dead .
8. News: The Stories of Jackie and Kitty. https://archive.today/20120713013829/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4twSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sP0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6785,5751274&dq=kitty-burke+baseball. dead. July 13, 2012. April 28, 2002. The Ledger. 2009-05-30.
9. News: The Stories of Jackie and Kitty. https://archive.today/20120713013829/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4twSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sP0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6785,5751274&dq=kitty-burke+baseball. dead. July 13, 2012. April 28, 2002. The Ledger. 2009-05-30.