Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Girls playing with the Boys, and Boys playing with the Girls

SerendipUpdate's picture

Women, Sport, and Film - 2002
Student Papers
On Serendip

Girls playing with the Boys, and Boys playing with the Girls

Zoe Meyer

On the athletic field, in the gym, or on the ice, there have always been standards for the athletes to follow. These standards range from what type of athletic equipment is not only necessary but appropriate, to who can play when, where, and how. This last standard is the one that is being challenged the most; can men play not only on women’s teams, but can they also participate in female dominated sports without being taunted? The same goes for women, can females, without fear, really participate in traditionally male dominated sports? Although the social costs to the individual participating in the non-traditional sport are many, the benefits, if played well and correctly, can be and are quite plentiful as well.

For men, this desire to participate in traditionally female dominated sports is not quite as great as it is for females. This is because, honestly, men have a wealth of opportunities for athletics, whether it be professional or not, for every one chance women have. But, in the case that a male does want to participate in a female dominated sport, he will have a hard time being accepted, not necessarily by his female teammates, but by the society watching the sport. Traditionally, male athletes are supposed to be in rough and tumble sports. They are supposed to be hard bodied, passionate about the game, and willing to play no matter what the circumstances. Most female sports, even the female counterpart of a male sport, is less rough and tumble and less aggressive than male sports. For a man to participate in one of these sports he is likely to get laughed off the field, taunted with jeers of “homo” and suggestions that he is “not man enough” to play with the “real men” in traditionally male dominated sports. This can not only be damaging to the male playing, but it can also be damaging to the women playing. The jeers could become aimed at the women on the field or the ice and they could hint that women are not only incapable to play, but that since they need a man to join their team to help them, they obviously do not belong anywhere but on the sidelines.

This previous example is probably a little extreme, but the ideas behind it are quite real. Imagine a man walking onto the deck of a swimming pool, ready to compete in synchronized swimming. The expected first impression would be, “what the…?” because men are not supposed to be synchronized swimmers. There may not be jeers taunted at him, and he may not get made fun of, but he is not looked upon favorably by those watching the event. If, however, he is looked upon favorably, in whatever female dominated sport he is participating, the benefits could be plenty. Imagine the publicity the team would get, not to mention the only man on the team! The endorsements for athletic equipment, shoes, and many other things could support him for the rest of his life after just one year of playing. Being the only man on a professional or Olympic level team could potentially lead to more opportunities for endorsements and such than being just another member of a men’s team. This may seem well and good, but when a man “makes it big” playing for a women’s team, there is always the question and suggestion that he should then go play with the big boys. With this in mind, it is easy to see that a male’s opportunity for continual benefits from playing on a women’s team are slim. Again, this is something that is not very common for men at the professional level, or even at an amateur level because of the fact that men have more opportunities to play than women.

Women, on the other hand, often want to participate in, not only traditionally male dominated sports because, at least now there are female counterparts for them, but they want to “play with the big boys” as well. For a female to “break into” a male sport is probably one of the most difficult parts of actually being an athlete. The main argument that is used almost regardless of the sport for women participating in traditionally male dominated sports is that the female body is not made to correctly function while participating. Also, the idea that the women will lose their femininity if they play with men is another reason to keep them off the field and out of the ring. For women to be taken seriously in a male dominated sport they have to not only be the best female in the ring, gym, or wherever, they also have to be the best overall athlete.

Traditionally, women are thought of as more fragile, and less aggressive than men. With this in mind, it is clear the reasons why it is so difficult for women to participate in male dominated sports. The costs to a woman playing with a man in the ring or on the field are more numerous than simply getting laughed at and called names. Usually, to really see the extent to which women can take playing with the boys, the men will usually play their hardest, if not harder in an attempt to push the women to their limits and eventually make them quit. Also, since the woman is in a male dominated sport, the chances that there are other females out there helping “the cause” are very small which makes it even harder for her to be taken seriously.

The benefits for a woman in a man’s sport however are probably some of the greatest out there. She will not only most likely be the star and the sweetheart of the team, but she will also most likely get the most attention both in and out of the game. Also, the endorsements for a woman playing with men are unimaginable, especially with all the feminists behind her and supporting her, she will most likely never have to worry about money again. The one problem with all of this though, is that she will probably have to be defending her sexuality constantly from those that think all female athletes are gay. However, if any woman can get through the taunting, and succeed in a male dominated sport, then she truly will have “made it” in the world of athletics.

For men and women to participate in sports not traditionally dominated by their sex is probably a lot more difficult at first than would seem worth it, but in the end it could be a major stepping stone into the world of athletics as well as the rest of society. The costs to both seem, at first, almost insurmountable, but once they have become versed in the ways of the sport, the benefits out rule it all.

 

Continuing conversation
(to contribute your own observations/thoughts, post a comment below)

08/01/2005, from a Reader on the Web

I am an african american FEMALE, who plays football. I started at the age of 5 when i played on a 6 yr old BOY TEAM. when i first started yea, it was harsh but as i got older boys became scared of me and girls didnt even look at me unless they were my friends because they knew who i was!!!! I was the best player on the team amd recieved a lot of MVP's. people shouldn't discriminate agaist girl(women) because girls "some" girls r as tough as boys. sure i had lil boyfriends and i still did girl thing but dont juge a girl by what they look like, because i could be the prettiest girl but also the "one who knows how to take care of business! till' this day noone messes with me or even THINKS about "tryin'" to pick on me even though i may not look like a football player i AM one! Sincxe i am omly 13 i still have lots to accomplish and i say yeah to ALL the girls who think they can handle the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!1 P.S- on my team after the games boys couldn't even tell i was a girl until' i took my helment off becouse i was that good, i am not afraid to brake a nail and i am not preppy i am "a football playin' female repin' all da guhs!!!!!GET THAT?!?!?!?!?


01/05/2006, from a Reader on the Web

I am 14 years old and so into football... many people see its as strange (mostly females) but many other people (mostly males) think its cool. Its not that i wanna play with the "big boys" as your article states. I just like to play football. I am not trying to prove myself in anyway.. i just wanna play. What i'm trying to say is i disagree with the argument why females play male teams.

 

Additional comments made prior to 2007
i have been a very athletic girl since i was about 5 and i have always wanted to play football with the boys. yet its hard b.c of the trouble u get with ppl saying names and stuff . i believe girls should have the right considering its against the law to judge ppl of their sex. if they are just as good as the boys or better and can keep up with the competiotion then heck yess they should play with them and show girls are jsut as equal as boys!!! ... Reader on the web, 3 April 2006

 

 

there is no way that a girl can play football especially in the Texas 5A district I mean they would get killed. Plus I have played football with a girl and its weird it feels like u have to go easy on them or something.their also very dramatic and they might hurt themselfs ... Brennan Deuel, 15 May 2006

 

 

I love Football I have loved it forever! But I can't play on the team. I am in 8th grade and I am 14 I think that I can make up my mind if I want to play!! But the school sead that they don't want me to get hert! Give me a break I love football I can thow better then all the boys in my gym class. The boys think that I am not good enoph but give me a team and a football and I will show you what I can do! Even my dad sead that I am really good at home I have my own football and half the boys at school don't. So why can't I play?!?!?! ... Stephanie Garnett, 18 October 2006

 

 

i am 13 years old and i love to play football but my school wont let firls try out for football. i am really disappointed that i cant try out. i have also been told a number of times that i am a great thrower and sometimes a good chatcher. i would love to start playing football ... Falysha Raymond, 19 October 2006

 

 

WOW, what a great artical, congrats! all of it is so true...personally i think boys and girls should be able to participate in whichever sport, whenever and with who! it would be fantastic to see one day, during prime time, on a prime television station, a male dominated sport being played by females and gettin gthe same amount of surport as male sports do today ... Brooke, 9 November 2006

 

 

i am a 16 yr old girl that plays rugby and wrestles, because im interested in it and enjoy contact sports, Iv only been playin for two years and was introduced to it through my highschool. I wasn't treated differently by my friends and have continuously practised with the boys rugby team and wrestled with guy in practise. Im not particulary gifed in athletics, but just do it for fun and to stay in shape, and society has changed to accept females in contact sports ... Reader on the web, 5 December 2006

 

 

hey ya i think its so ture what the girls wrote we should be aloud to play football caus im a female and i love to play football iv been playing since i was 5 im 16 now and i still play. no girls think about messing me with and well u get know know alot of guys and they are cool about me playing with them they love it one year i didnt play cuz i broke a arm and they missed me ... Lee-Anna, 6 February 2007

 

 

I agree with the first person because most girls are tough like boys! I want to play football but the coaches are against it! I also love wrestling to but thier is no teams and of course the coaches won't let me try out! Any ways I soooooo agree with u! P.S girls are just as tough as boys! ... Elizabeth, 10 April 2007

 

 

Hi i am a female,some people think tht football is a game for boys only but is not,i am an african i love playing football but here in Cameroon most dont play i often play with the boys so i get stronger ,y dad supports me but my mom dont even think of it so i am pleading with any one who reads this which can help in any way to jon my fellow girls play should just mail me please ... Taka gina lor, 21 July 2007

 

 

I am 18 years old, and am currently coaching an all boys hockey team. I have been playing hockey from the time i was 5 and couldn't be happier. Yes i was playing on a all boys team for 12 years, but i think that it made me better at the sport becasue, i was challenged. I loved playing the sport and made some amazing friend threw it. I tried playing for a girls team but i missed my "boys". yes they do get pissed when they realize a girl just knocked them on thier butt but on the other hand it gave me more confidence as a girl playing a boy sport! MUCH LOVE! ... Stephanie, 12 November 2007

 

 

Im 14 years old and love to wrestle!! when i say i want to wrestle with the school!! they told me no cause i was a girl!! theres a couple of wrestling teams in the town that i live in!! but my parents say the only way i can is if i wrestle with the sschool team!! if there are other schools that r like mine i think its bull that they wont let u!! im already one of the girls that most people look at like o dont mess wit her!! ive wrestled before but now that im older i cant wrestle wit the clubs! but i hope i have a chance wit sumthing!! ... Page Slater, 13 November 2007

 

 

I have played soccer fo rthe last 8 years of my life and girls have been on my teams for my whole soccer "career" i dont see the problem with girls on my team i also wrestle and do cross country on my cross country team my best friend is tougher than i am when it comes to a pace and this is my first year wrestling and last year there was a girl on our team that lost only one of her matches and i have lost all of mine so anyone has no right to say that girls arent as tought as the men. i'm only 12 years old and i have many friends that play way harder in many sports that i play i think girls can play any sport they want to ... Austin, 6 December 2007

Comments

ayla's picture

i have a question i live in a

i have a question i live in a small town and the school i go to has a boys rugby team but no girls. but i really want to play rugby because i love rough and tumbel sports i always have. dose the school have the right to say that i may not even TRY OUT all because im a girl and rugby is "to rough" ive heard of girls getting on boys foot ball teams so why wont they let me try for rugby??????

Yesenia Cortes's picture

Why Not?????

what is one reason that women should not play on boys sports teams. girls are just as agressive as boys....and women even have football teams that are just as agressive as men football league...
DUECES

seth's picture

sports

i think boys and girls should play on ththe boys could challenge the girls and the girls will take that challenge and play hard both boys and girls will get healthier while trying to win and with that said us boys and girls will grow healthier same sports team because

Jane's picture

If They Can, They Should

Neither sex is superior to the other; players should be given an even chance to make the team and should be judged by their athletic ability, not their gender. Sure, when, or if, at one point a girl is no longer able to play on a sports team, she should not be let on the team, just as guys who can no longer keep up have to be cut from the team.

My only concern is respect. Respect from being treated equaly, in the terms of being let on the team, is easy to accomplish. The real issue comes from a girl's treatment after she is on the team. I played on my highschool baseball team as third baseman(or basewoman, I should say) and shortstop; one game, after I had caught the other team's pitcher out at third and I went up to bat, he threw the ball at my face, chipping two of my teeth and imbedding my braces into my cheek.

Bottom line, if a girl can and is willing to join a boys team, be it a higher level, the coach or school should let her on the team, but the boys on her team and all the others need to treat her like any other player.

Serendip Visitor's picture

Ever heard of Title Nine?

Ever heard of Title Nine? It's the LAW. Girls MUST be allowed to play in school if they want to. By the way the guy who said "stick to the tea party"? He's stupid. I've seen girls on our school's football team, and they beat up the boys all the time. The fastest runner in the school is a girl who ran 110 laps in a row. I think that boys take advantage of their automatic acceptance in teams, and even though they are HORRIBLE the coach never says anything, but kicks a girl off the team when she does something minor.

Rachael's picture

Girls

I am the mother of a 6 year old daughter who is going into her 3rd year playing full contact football. She started out with a lot of bruises and lots of harassment from the boys on the team. She cried everyday on the way home, but never let the boys see it. She would be ready to go back to practice the next day...she never quit. Her first year she was just a basic lineman and they realized she had talent and strength although she was slender. One day the boys were being extremely cruel to her and to my and everyone's amazement she tackled the biggest and best player on our team. I don't think the shock ever wore off because a few days later she was being punished for something she did at school and had to do 20 up and downs after practice (remember these are small kids). Her team was free to go, but every single one of her teammates stayed to do them with her. No teammate left behind. She brought a team together that originally their mission was to get the girl off their team and make her quit. Now they were a team that supported each other. One day (few weeks down the road) she was walking with a friend after practice in full gear and out of nowhere another player from another team tackled her. Out of nowhere 3 of her fellow teammates came out of the woodwork and had him on the ground and yelling at him to stay off of her. It's almost like the old saying among siblings...no one can touch their sibling except them. She has played football among these guys for going on 3 years now and she has moved up in the ranks. This year she played noseguard (which for those who don't know is someone who can handle more then one player at a time on the line) and linebacker. In her off season she wrestled and decided to stick with tball/softball. She loves challenges and has become quite the athlete. Her coaches love to hear she is coming to their team cause she's a little star. This year we were fortunate that other girls joined ranks. We had another girl on the team this year and 3 other teams also had girls on their team. I'm glad to see she was an inspiration last year. My favorite thing to hear last year after we beat every team (except one) was when she would pull off her helmet and you'd see her long blonde ponytail. The guys would sit there and nudge their moms and dads and point and say "We got beat by a girl!!" It was hilarious. My daughter is not to be considered only a tomboy however. She loves getting her hair and nails done and loves clothes...I mean LOVES clothes (and shoes). She's that perfect balance of a girl who's not afraid to get dirty and also knows how to be a lady. So for any girls (or parents) who worry about their little girl...don't. Ashleigh was the biggest cry baby her first year and she is tough as nails now. Her grades are really great and she's always on the lookout for friends. She's a social butterfly now. GO GIRLS~!! And the best part is she has been teaching her almost 2 year old sister how to play football already and she has taught her to "Down, Set, Hut!" It's the funniest thing and it's a great inspiration to me and my friends.

Trystan's picture

Girls do have a right to play

I'm a 13 year old girl and I love football and I have been around it my entire life. No I have not played it yet but reading this article has giving me the hope and confidence to play. Yes I have played but with guys from the neighborhood. Everyone who just looks at me and doesnt know me thinks I'm a girly girl just of how i dress but all my friends know how much passion I have a for the sport and know how much of a tom boy I am. And they also know that when I want something, I will not stop til I get it! So I've been having my really close friends who are on the football team, which are boys helping me prepare for what I am getting myself into. Well they talked to the coach for me and when he walked up while I was messing around with them seeing how far I can throw the ball,and how fast I could run(best in both outta the whole school) HE SAID HE WANTED ME ON THE TEAM!!!! Buut he wanted to see how much I could take and who I can tackle. Well tryouts are in 4 months so I have to work as hard as I can. But to all of you girls who want to play football, ignore who ever puts you down,and use that as strength to show them what your made of and Good Luck! You CAN do it!

ai's picture

football

im 13 years old have played football 3 years now in ND .. and i love it worth a passion my team thinks im amazing im rated top 3 and play fulback and line backer. I love the sport now im moving up to high school jv next year and i cant decided if i want to play or not.. im worried aboutwhat th older guys are gonna say though many have tolld me to play~ i swar if i were to quit football i would cry. i would miss getting pumpped up for the game th night before or the day in school i would miss getting told the next day in school nice sack to the qb or nice interception or way to go.. it would suck i would miss it... so any suggestions if i should play or not plz i need help anyone.. comment!!!

Serendip Visitor's picture

Don't Quit

Going to HS and playing might be more of a mental challenge. I don't want you to quit but you do have something to look forward in playing when you are 18. We do have a league of our own where we play just like the Men NFL, Full contact full!!If you do play, take care of yourself. I feel like the boys might not play fair because they want to play for colleges. If you play, is there a college where you can play for without you being a Kicker?? Don't waste your future where there's nothing you can move forward with. Can you get a full scholarship like the boys? Ask yourself all those question........

Serendip Visitor's picture

football

No one can tell you to continue or not. Of course only you can decide that, but you love football and its your passion right? If that's the truth, then maybe you should go for it. You've been rated top 3, you've definitely got talent! And more to the point that you love playing! I wouldn't worry about what the older guys might think, besides if you quit, you would never know what might've happened if you decided not to. You'll be regretting it most likely. I'm a huge feminist and I totally believe in equality, the guys who think girls can't be as tough as them should go to google and type female body building, enough said. I suggest you continue, you played through high school and you were fine. Better than fine actually! Just work hard and be strong. Five years from now, with more girls like you, I guarantee things between male and female sports will fade away. You're awesome and I swear if I were you I'd go for it!

jenny 's picture

yess i agree with you . as

yess i agree with you . as well ! -_____

Blaster's picture

Girls play football

I'm a girl and I love football. I think that girls should be able to play because if you sign up for something you should know what you are getting into. At my school, my friend(who is a girl) and I are the only girls who play. According to some people, we are actually better than some of the boys. We play in the parking lot at our school and we do get knocked over or run into fences. People should not judge people on their gender. I think it should be based on your ability.

Serendip Visitor's picture

I'm a female athlete as well

I'm a female athlete as well who plays varsity football and i wrestle. i totally agree with you. ocasionally there will be a girl who wants to play just to be in the limelight and then she ends up getting hurt and she complains about it. but i knew what i was getting into before i tried out.. i've had my share of scars and bruises but it was all worth it.

man power's picture

the fact of the matter is

the fact of the matter is that if girls play with boys when boys are at that age when they start getting bigger and stronger than girls will get injured and hurt really easily. when boys play football we go in really rough and if we did the same to a girl she wouldnt be able to wAlk for a week.

Serendip Visitor's picture

That's why we have our own league!

When I play football and I'm much other than, I go hard and I don't mind working out with men cause it makes me better. Not all girls nor women are the same and thank GOd I am able to hold myself against the young girls. Football is one of those sports where your size tell you what position you can or may play. You can't be 100 lbs and want to play the Line. And yes, we are NOT as strong as most men. Whatever position you want to play......there's a boy or man that wants it even more.

Gray's picture

Yes, men usually have more

Yes, men usually have more physical strength than women, but it is true that women can beat up men, if they want. Women are held in regrade by men to be weak, or soft, and that they need help from men. This statement is completly false. Women may need assitnace from men, but nonetheless, it is not always that way, as that I beat up a boy that wouldn't stop bothering me after I asked him nicely to stop or I'd hit him, he kept bothering me, so i took action, keeping my promise. He fears me now. I also scared many boys when I was little, and now too. Women are just as powerful as men, sometimes they may need help, but men need help too.

Anonymous's picture

im a girl and im 13 years

im a girl and im 13 years old. all through elementary school i played football with boys during lunch (the only one) i was as good as any other boy (sometimes better) then in middle school the school team wont let me play. im pretty fast and i wanted to be a running back or a wide receiver. just to say to all those stupid sexist boys out there that say girls cry and get hurt easily, i have something to tell you. i was riding my bike and the chain fell off as i was going around a corner. my bike fell over and i skinned both my knees and whacked my elbow on a bar, there was blood running from my knee all the way to my socks. then guess what i do u stupid boys? i fix my bike and ride a mile home. I still want to play football but no teams will let me play! f***ing boys... btw im 5 foot 9 and taller than most boys and girls at my school, and good a receiving. i still think all boys are retards, especially my brother...(got nothing to do with it but i hate him any way)

dman's picture

ha ha ha:p

You're 13 and 5 foot 9. Let me guess 120-150 pounds. Get real. When you're 16 or older you'll learn that any man who is good at the sport he plays is either twice your size, or talent level. I'm not saying you're not a good athlete, but I am saying that you would never last in a mens division. Remember there's a huge difference between boys sports and mens sports.

Anoynymous's picture

If you are trying to make a

If you are trying to make a point, please spell correctly, I have disregarded a majority of your arguments just because of the incredibly poor spelling. If you want to make a solid point, please be literate, otherwise no one will take you seriously, no matter what you do. Seriously, reading some of this was painful.

Bone Crusher's picture

Girls, don't get your panties

Girls, don't get your panties in a tightwad, you probably could compete with boys until 14 or 15, but once boys start developing into men, the physical
superiority of men could get you seriously hurt. When I played high school football I was 6'6" and weighed 295lbs, my nickname was BONE CRUSHER,
because of all the hard hits I dished out. I enjoyed "bringing the pain" to the opposing players. What a lot of football players might not want to admit
publicly is we enjoyed knocking players out of the game with injuries. So girls, are you willing to risk being permanently paralyized for life and not have the ability to sue anyone for your injury. Some girls on here said they played on a football team, let's here the specifics- were you a 1st string
or a benchwarmer who never played in a game. Did you have a major impact on your team. What were your stats? Did you play in every game in the season or were you just the token girl to satisfy some feminist agenda. By the way I was a 3 time high school all state, college all american and 3 time pro bowler. Listen up girlies! I am going to tell you something you should have known but don't, they're over 52 womens professional football teams in America, one league is called Independent Womens Football League- or IWFL for short- perhaps you girls should go to their games. Now girlies,
before you play football, it would be nice if you learned a little more about it's history. WHAT IS PAIN? FRENCH BREAD! If you girlies don't understand that quote, you aint ready to play football with the big boys! Go watch "Remember The Titans".

defendeast's picture

i agree i'm in middle school

i agree i'm in middle school football and i went against a team with several girls most of them were to easy to blow over i even hit one of them so hard she limped off the field, guys are way to competitive in their own league against other guys i'm not going to discourage girls from joining but get ready to be seeing stars after a 220 pound guy like me knocks you down. my nick name in football was "iron man"

Courtney's picture

I am a girl and plan on

I am a girl and plan on getting ready to play football next year. I went to several of the games last year and most of those dudes i could beat in my sleep! It was a walk on team this year and a million people got on except for the 3 or 4 girls who tried out and were better than the bys ON the team! I am chubby...i will admitt that and if an 100 pound dude takles me all i will get is a scar, but if i tackle an 100 pound dude, he might need an amulance!

Jennifer Pollock's picture

Yes!

I agree. I think women should play in male dominate sports. But only if they were on their own teams.

Amun Smith's picture

girls can play but not aganist boys

not to sound sexisum, i say girls should not because i'm a boy and have of the comments i read are girls who are young. sure you play when you 5-14, but try playing with 17-20 years old boy who is fully devlope or play football all the time.you wouldn't want to play any more. look at NFL player they get hit hard like more then 7 times, some time an a row.

janelle's picture

i believe you're wrong.. i'm

i believe you're wrong.. i'm an 18 year old female. I've been playing male dominated sports since the age of 2. Yes, i've gotten injured, but not because of any guy knocking me down. but because the field we were playing on was shit. Most girls who want to play with the guys, do it because they're not challenged enough in female teams. Playing with "the boys" gives a challenge, i'm 5'1 weighting 120. And, i'm under estimated all the time , until they realize i'm not about to give up, i'll do whatever i can to come out on top. Including starting fights with guys who are a foot or more taller than me. They dont expect a little girl like me, to be tough, until i take em out . So i think girls should play with who ever they want. Its their own choice, their own risk. but, its a risk willing to be taken.

f's picture

as a rule, men are better

as a rule, men are better athletes. they are generally bigger, faster, and stronger. that can't really be disproven. however, there are always exceptions to any rule. some women can play with men in any sport. but the vast majority can't. women call men ignorant for laughing at their attempts to venture into football - but really, most women have no idea how hard it really is. i do not have an issue with girls wanting or trying to play football, because if they're good enough then there should not be any discrimination. there just aren't many that are actually good enough. same deal for hockey.

steve barrow's picture

i think girls are just as

i think girls are just as good as boys at sport cause even doe i'm good i got beat in basketball by a girl no lie

kelly's picture

i totally agree with all of

i totally agree with all of this i think that it is really stupid that girls can't play guys sports i have a lot of boy cousins and uncles that i wrestle with all the time and sometimes i beat them up. But when i wanted to have a girls wrestling team at school people thought it would be a joke and no other girl would do it besides me. but i asked and a lot of the girls said they would do it but the coach said that the girls would be to preppy and not want to get hurt and he didn't want to see them cry if they did.

Serendip Visitor's picture

So it's ok for MEN to play on WOMEN team?

You guys are pissing me off! I work too damn hard to be part of this equal opportunity BS! I am very happy playing against my own kind.......WOMEN! If we let men play on our league......wouldn't they replaced us? Stop trying to be a man and be happy that we can go in our own league and show them we too can play like them. It's bad enough they don't take us seriously, now ya'll want to mess up my playing time. I work too damn hard! Everyday, I try to better myself, watching video, studying my playbook and ice! ice! ice! cause everything hurts! For the record Not everyone on my team takes football seriously! This is not a hobby for me and i'm 35 and consider one of the best. It's a honor but a lot of hard work. Now, what you guys are trying to tell me, if a guy wants to play on my team....we have to let him play? even tho there's a lot of semi-pro TEAMS for men! Really!!!!

Luv4thegame's picture

girls can play

13yr old in Idaho league age 12 who has been playing baseball with the boys since she was 4. The boys have always excepted her and love having her on thier team. At the age of 9 she was one of two 9yr olds to make the majors and played with 12yr old boys. She has made the all star team last 4 yrs. She is the only girl in her league and is admired by many. Parents, Players, and Coaches love to watch her play. She is the best player in her league for her age group and better then most of the 13/14yr olds in her league. I would easily say she is one of the top 10 12yd old baseball players in her state. She also at the age of 12 played on a 14u travel boys team. This season she pitched a perfect perfect game striking out 18 of 18 batters. She has a 72mph fastball and is a location pitcher can put the ball where ever she wants. She hit 18 home runs and batted over 800. She is the leagues ace pitcher even over the 13 and 14yr teams. When she is not pitching she plays short stop and sometimes 3rd. Her brother that plays Varsity baseball and American Legion ball and he pitches as well he throws 78 mph so not much harder then her at High School level but he too is a location pitcher and even though he doesn't throw that hard he gets the outs. She also plays football for 2 yrs now and not because she thinks she is going to go pro someday but because she is good and loves to play and has grown up playing with her brothers. She is the QB on her team and Defensive end. The boys have no problem hitting her because they know she will hit them. The boys on her team love her and both baseball and football team are very protetive over there star and proud to play with her and have her as a team mate. While at her football games I hear people say wow that kid has an arm and you can hear them trying to decide if she is a girl because the hair hanging out the helmet. This weekend while at a game I heard that exact comment coming from behind me. One guy says that QB has one heck of an arm. Is that a girl??? Other says it can't be a girl this was after 3 beautiful pass completions one being about a 40yd pass and one being a touch down pass. Then she comes back out on Defensive and sacks the QB and just lays him out. Guy says to his buddy yeah thats not a girl there is NO way. I finally turned around and said yes it is a girl. He says wow she is phenomenal!!!! What an arm she has and right about that time she was going back for a passing play and no one was open she ran the ball about 30yds breaking 3 tackles and not only did it take about 5 guys to bring her down but with them on her she still ran about another 5 yds. Even though her tem lost she played harder and better then any boys out there. My point is she is a great athlete and as long as she can compete and be an asset to her team why should she go play with girls? Now if there was a girls baseball league and the same opportunities for girls with baseball then yes why not play with girls? As a matter of fact she just went with an all girls team made up of the top 13 girls in US and Canada to play in Cooperstown NY at the Dream Park in the Hall of Fame tournament against 104 boys team. She loved playing with the girls and it was wonderful for her to play with girls that play as well as she does it was a different connection she had with the girls team then she has with the boys team. Seemed as if she could just play baseball and have fun with the girls and didn't have to carry all the weight of being the best. When she is playing with the boys she takes the game very series and is almost to hard on herself. It was nice to see her just let loose and have some fun. This will be her last yr of playing football just becauseit does get rough at High School level even though I know she could compete and probably get the QB postion at freshman level but there is just no reason for it because she has no future in football and no reason to take the chance of her getting hurt. She will continue on with babeball as long as she can compete and out play the boys. It has already been confirmed through the High School Varsity coach she can play and is good enough to play. By the way the High School she will go to won State last yr. Who knows what our future holds with girls and baseball but I am hoping there will be a place for girls who want to play baseball and they will have the same opportunities as men.

Al Novak's picture

Well, first of all, for all

Well, first of all, for all of you who said girls cannot "keep up" you do NOT know girls. If they want something they will get it. And having your "time of the month?" screw it. that makes me want to beat the crap out of people more. I've been trampled by horses, stabbed, and broken a few bones, all with a straight face. crying is for whimps. so you boys out there need to get over your selves because until you do i dont think the team you play on can be considered a team of men. the things you think of when you think of girls are the girls you NOTICE in school becuase they look good, not the ones who walk around in jerseys and sweat pants because they do not catch your attention. well i know for a fact that if i can be trampled by a couple horses i can take a couple of "men" on in a game of tackle football. it has nothing to do with gender. it has to do with stereotypes and if coaches have to feel manly by only having a mens team then they arent men at all. so boys really? instead of a punch to the face, try having a hoof to the face. THEN see if you can keep up with the GIRLS.

basketball's picture

i played all boys basket ball legue

i played on an ALL boys team last year for basket ball and let me tell you this it isnt hard it isnt like they take it easy on you and we won champieonships and you know we played another all boy team and it was the only undefeated team in the league ne girls all boy and i happen 2 b very good friends with one of the boys and i pearsonly agree that it should b ileagle to discrimanate girls its the same thing as being racist so to any one who thinks diffrent you can go become emo or a hobo for all i care because 1 day there probly will be a law against it and if you know who i am go a head make fun of me and yell at me i'll yell right back! girls power 4ever

Anonymous's picture

Really?!

I think girls can play what they want to! I'm a girl and I love to play football with my friends. And yes. Those friends are boys. I think that people are afraid girls will hurt themselves if they play with boys. News flash. Boys can get hurt just as easily. If someone gets slammed and that person, boy or girl, breaks a bone, the gender won't matter! Girls should be aloud to chose how to live their lives!

Miranda's picture

hockey?!?! HELPPP!!!!

Okay, so i'm thinking about trying to play girls hockey. I iceskate in winter and have a blast doing so. I don't have hockey skills or backround...Is there any skills I have to know?? I really want to play, but dont want to bring the team down beacus i suck....Please help advice, tips, anything!! Thanks!

Kelly 's picture

Miranda, How old are you and

Miranda,

How old are you and what state do you live in?

My daughter plays hockey and couldn't even skate when she stated. Most teams have learn to plays teams.

Don't worry about bringing the team down. Go for it.

anoymus's picture

girls shold play with boy

i think that girls SHOULD PLAY WITH BOYS BECOUSE SOME GIRLS CAN TAKE THE PAIN SO YOU WOULDNT GET THAT MUCH INJERD THIS IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SEXIST IF YOU GET IN TROBLE FOR BEIN RACIST YOU SHOULD GET IN TROBLE FOR BEING SEXIST GIRRLS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY FOR FOOTBALL TEAMS WITH THE BOYS BECOUSE SOME OF US ARE FAST STONG GOOD AND MABYE HAD BEEN IN A FOOTBALL TEAM BEFORE AND EVERTONE WAS CRAP SO THEY WENT AWAY TOTRY AND FIND AN OTHER ONE BUT THEY WERE TO CRAP ASWELL SO THEY REALLY WANT TO JOOIN AN BOYUS FOOTBALL TEAM AFTER THIS I AM GOING TO TRY AND SEND AN EMAIL TO A BOYS FOOTBALL TEAM IF THEY DONT LET ME IN THEN IAM WILLING ENOUGHT TO WRITE A LETT TO GOVERMENT OR WOT EVER IT IS AND TELL THEM JUST WHAT I HAVE SAID ABOUT BEING RACIST AND BEING SEXIST WE SHOULD HAV THE RIGHT TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH THE BOYS THATS ALL FROM MY LETTER AND I HOPE NEXT TIME I ARSK A BOYS FOOTBALLTEAM THEY WILL SAY YESS PLEASEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Serendip Visitor's picture

Why?? when we have our own!

To be honest with you, do you really want ride the bench and contribute nothing to that championship ring? Or do you want to play for an all women's team where you can be the football player you always want and not to mention a hero to your peers? There is too much drama we women face playing football. Right now, the world thinks Lingerie Football is FOOTBALL. You got to be kidding! I play full contact football just like the NFL and uses college rules when we go overtime with women only. I don't want to sit on the bench and get a ring because I was the girl they “had” to let be on the team because of the law. Please! Yes, we maybe faster, bigger or even stronger.....Football are not only a physical challenge but more of a mental challenge. Pushing yourself and thriving to be the best is half the battle you will face every time you step on the football field. You have to understand the fundamentals of football and even be able to react faster. I'm pretty sure you can take pain......when it comes down it....you'll play 4 yrs of football in HS and what about college? There are no scholarships out there for us to get. And forget about the NFL.....Women coaches, I can see that in the future. As for, we playing in the NFL......I just wish they consider a Women's NFL. That will be HOT!!! You can get drafted right out of HS! Mind you, NFL never an HS player drafted before....NBA, yes...never NFL. Now that's another hurdle we have to climb.

Don't ever give up your dreams.....you want to play football? Reach out to a women's team where you live....they are also looking for good women/girls. They do have football camps for girls now with the Play 60. You'll be amazed how you're not the only one who wants to play! Good luck.....hopes one day to see you on the big screen!

Jemma's picture

hi any one want to be my

hi any one want to be my friend i'm new on the 12.8.10

levi haar's picture

friend

Hey just as long as your not a sex offender if you are stay away from me and don't talk to me.

Anonymous's picture

Stupidity

Guys hurt guys all the time in sports like football. And sometimes really badly. Why should it be any different for girls? They can get hurt. It's not like they wouldn't be asking for it, seeing that they're on the team.

So girls get hurt easier than boys? Maybe they can't handle the pain as well as boys? Give me a break. There are some guys out there that are even more "fragile" than girls and they play those sports. Come on, get real.

Serendip Visitor's picture

yeah

i agree

Drew's picture

Girls should play with boys

Psyke!!!!! They shouldn't. I mean boys can't hit girls. So all u girls out there, stick to tea parties!

Amanda's picture

Girls shouldn't play boys contact hockey

Psyke!!!!!! Bro u need to shut it lol u think all girls are the same. Well there not. Me and a shit load of other girls love to play hockey with guys! U get knocked down alot but it's still fun and it doesn't hurt

P.S there's lots of hot guys also

Serendip Visitor's picture

watev

dude thats just wrong. first of all i dont no one girl that has tea parties and second i could prob play football just as good as u

Serendip Visitor's picture

This is SO not true. girls

This is SO not true. girls can do anything guys can. so stop being so damn sexist and get that girls can do anything they set there minds to.

Serendip Visitor's picture

girls cant do anything guys

girls cant do anything guys can. for one girls cant pee standing up (off topic but true) also girls and guys bodies are differnt. Girls have more flexability causeing an unfair advantage in some sports. If girls want to play boys sports, they should make a girls team. they shouldnt be allowed to play with boys. Girls would want to play with boys to tuch them cause their desprate. so girls shouldnt play with boys

Serendip Visitor's picture

Hell yeah they can

I am a football player for my school, i am a girl i am the only one right now and i am also the only one on the wrestling team for my school too, girls are just as good as guys and be just as good no one is better than another person and it is bs if other people think it is. If guys think women are not able to do something then that is making other women who are intersted afraid of it. Everyone can do anything they set there mind to. Girls can do somethings good guys can do somethings good but everyone can do something that they love and i believe in all of them every single girl who has the power to be in a male dominated sport like me.

Aradhana's picture

Aaru

Hey I Agree with ur point of view.

Serendip Visitor's picture

ok

so we can play football

Anonymous's picture

you guys should all check out

you guys should all check out this website i found for girls who like sports. it's called www.vivogs.com and its really cool!!!