Knuck it!

     The Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League went oversea's and got themselves either a pretty good talent or another "groundbreaker" that doesn't break anything but their career.  18 year old Eri Yoshida will be that next "groundbreak".  Who is Eri Yoshida you ask?  Well, she is a knuckleball pitcher, who played professionally in japan last year, who signed a contract to play baseball for the Outlaws.  She will be the first woman to pitch for a professional baseball team since Ila Borders retired more then 10 years ago.  Now, Yoshida is not physically intimidating standing 5' and weighing 114 lbs, however she does have the power of the knuckle ball.  From the looks alone you would think you can hit a knuckle ball into outer space, but with a little movement you'll look like mighty casey when he struck out.  The overall numbers for Yoshida in Japan were a record of 0-2 in 11 appearences, a 4.03 ERA, 7 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings pitched.  One of the best things about this woman is that she learned how to throw a knuckle ball by watching video of Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.  She even recently received a few tips from the long time knuckler at the Red Sox spring training facility in Fort Meyers.  If you don't feel old now your about to.  Tim Wakefield made his major league debut with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1992.  Yep, 18 years ago right around the time Yoshida was born.  BAM!   I'm not sure what is more intriguing.  Yoshida pitching for the Outlaw's or the fact that the outlaws first game is in Tijuana.  To me, I don't see a reason why she can't succeed.  If 47 year old Jamie Moyer and 43 year old Tim Wakefield can have jobs in MLB basically throwing softball pitches why can't a 18 year old Knuckleballer, right?  Worst case scenario, The Houston Astros could always use a extra arm!

Much Luck,

Joe