Making History: Softball Superstar Jennie Finch to Manage CT Minor League Team

BRIDGEPORT, CT - Jennie Finch, the superstar softball pitcher from the U.S. Women's team, will make history Sunday as the first female to manage a professional men's baseball team when she guest-manages the Bridgeport Bluefish against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Bluefish announced.

Finch will assist the team in the dugout for the entire game and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. She will also participate in a pre-game meet-and-greet with fans at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Game time is 1:12 p.m. with gates opening at 12:12 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets ($12) to the game. Click here to purchase tickets to the meet-and-greet and game ($45).

“I am looking forward to coming to Bridgeport and The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Sunday, May 29th to serve as Guest Manager for your Bridgeport Bluefish,” said Finch in a statement. “I look forward to seeing [all the fans] in Bridgeport! Go Bluefish!”

The Washington Post writes that the move is a step toward creating a more inclusive landscape for women in men's sports. The Bluefish and Blue Crabs are part of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

“We are really excited to have Jennie come out and manage the team,” said Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole in a statement. “She is an incredible athlete and a wonderful person, and we hope our fans will enjoy seeing her in a Bluefish uniform for the day.”

Though the position is temporary, Finch's athletic resume on the ballfield is impressive. She played Division-I softball for the University of Arizona Wildcats from 1999 to 2002, helping to lead the team to a national championship during the Women’s College World Series in 2001.

After her college career, Finch played for Team USA during the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, winning gold and silver medals, respectively. She also played five seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch league for the Chicago Bandits in 2005-2007, 2009, and 2010.

The special pre-game meet-and-greet with Finch is limited to 150 fans and will begin at 11 a.m. Fans will have the opportunity to take photos with Finch and have one item autographed. Tickets can be purchased at the link above or through the Bluefish Ticket Office at 203-210-BLUE or tickets@bridgeportbluefish.com.

Photo: Jennie Finch. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons