Women's Baseball Gets Its Due
Thanks to the efforts of remarkable trailblazing athletes worldwide and the visionary photography of Jean Fruth, who weaves together inspiring stories, women's baseball is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Fruth's cinematic directorial debut, "See Her Be Her," showcases women's baseball centered around the six semifinalist teams in the 2024 Women's Baseball World Cup.International Stars Paving the Way
Kelsie Whitmore is making significant strides in the United States, becoming the first woman to play in a full-season league partnered with Major League Baseball in 2022. She now pitches and plays outfield for the Oakland Ballers. Ayami Sato's pitching skills have boosted the game in Japan, where 23,000 female baseball players compete on 102 teams. Sato has led Japan to six Women's World Baseball Cup Championships from 2010 to 2024. Lillian Nayiga's love for baseball in Uganda is nurturing a new generation through Baseball at Heart. Women in Puerto Rico, Cuba, South Korea, Canada, and other places are proof of the growing women's baseball scene.Fruth's extensive resume includes covering the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants, serving as a photographic storyteller for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and creating three baseball books filled with her stunning photography. During filming, she traveled to seven countries on three continents, conducted interviews in four languages, and amassed beautiful b-roll scenes and photos for the book, accompanied by essays from the women stars, Cal Ripken Jr., AAGPBL players, and more. She had over 500 hours of film.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite past setbacks, such as leagues starting and stopping and women being sidelined due to biology or being directed to play softball instead, women baseball players have persevered. The Women's World Baseball Cup was founded in 2004 but remains in the shadows without the financial resources for promotions and TV/streaming contracts. "See Her Be Her" is reintroducing women's baseball to fans and players to increase visibility and level the playing field."You start with something small and build on it. When it's there, it's the see her, be her. Now, little girls can see professional baseball and the pipeline grows. More girls and women play, and they stay in the game longer with more opportunities. It takes time, but it's possible," said Fruth.
Momentum and Possibilities
Before "See Her Be Her" even aired, the attention it generated led to MLB.com streaming the championship between the United States and Japan in Canada. After the film aired in October, Fruth received positive feedback. "We got great pictures of girls teams and watch parties, with people saying their daughters saw it and even men wanting their daughters to play baseball. We are converting those guys too," she said.Now, Fruth and producer Jeff Idelson are working to get the film to more audiences. They aim to have an international streaming partner by early next year so that everyone can see it. Two days after the film aired, news of the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) arrived. The six-team league on the East Coast will start in 2026, co-founded by Justine Siegal and Keith Stein. With the WPBL, the Women's Baseball World Cup, and growing leagues worldwide, Fruth sees unlimited potential for women's baseball.
King's Impact
King is not only an executive producer of "See Her Be Her" but also wrote the foreword to the 256-page book. As a child, she loved baseball but was disappointed to realize that as a girl, she couldn't become a baseball player. Fruth was thrilled when King agreed to be involved in the film and add to the fight for sports equality for women."Everybody should have the right and chance to dream. Every girl and woman should be able to dream at the highest level," King said. One of the most touching scenes in the film is when Ugandan women baseball players see highlights of the Women's Baseball World Cup after a day of drills. It's a powerful "see her, be her" moment.