to a fairytale grand final on the back of an enterprising style of play, but ultimately fell two games short after being ouste

Kelsie Whitmore only ever wanted to play baseball, so why pass up just about any opportunity to continue doing so at this point?That was the thinking behind the 17-year-old Californians decision to be one of two women to try their hand at the professional version of the national pastime.Both Whitmore and Team USA baseball teammate Stacy Piagno, 25, signed with the independent Sonoma Stompers of the Pacific Association earlier this week. They were making their debuts on Friday night, with Whitmore in left field and Piagno on the mound.We hope this sends a message to the rest of the baseball world that there is room for women and girls in this game, from Little League to the Major Leagues, Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster said.Neither Whitmore nor Piagno are strangers to baseball, with each having played with Team USA previously -- including at last summers Pan American Games, where they won silver medals.It was that connection to the game Ive always loved that helped land Whitmore a spot with the independent team just a few short months after graduating from Temecula Valley (California) High School.Whitmore, who played baseball exclusively throughout her high school career, had taken part with an organization called Baseball For All when she was young. And it was a member of that group, which aims to provide opportunities for girls to participate in baseball, who first contacted Whitmore to see if she was interested in joining the professional ranks.After a few scouting trips to watch Whitmore, the Stompers -- who last season fielded the sports first active openly gay player, Sean Conroy -- agreed the fit and timing were right.Any opportunity like this, of course I wanted to do it, Whitmore said.Whitmore first played for Team USA as a 16-year-old after having been a part of the teams development program for three years. That while she was still in high school, and after having politely declined chances to play varsity softball instead because of her love for baseball.My relationship with baseball is different than anything else, Whitmore said. Its like my best friend. I hate it some days, but the next day I just love it and am enjoying it. Its competition all the time, and theres so much to learn.Whitmore will make the switch to softball later this year, having accepted a scholarship to play at Cal State Fullerton. She was offered by the school after having never played the sport, with her only experience coming during a weekend camp following her junior year of high school.Shell keep playing baseball as well, beginning Friday night -- though shell do so without pay to ensure her NCAA eligibility isnt jeopardized.So far, Ive tried to earn respect with everyone individually, but theyve been great, Whitmore said. Im lucky to have a good group of guys to play ball with.Best Yeezy Fake . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Fake Yeezy 2019 Online . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. http://www.fakeyeezyclearance.com/ . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Fake Yeezy From China .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. Wholesale Yeezy Boost 350 .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head.Canterbury legend Terry Lamb not only wants an end to the clubs premiership drought next NRL season, but he reckons they should be doing it in style too.The Bulldogs will enter the new year as one of the most under-pressure teams in the competition after coach Des Hasler survived an emergency board meeting in October to keep his job.But Lamb insists its time for his ex-Kangaroos roommate Hasler, who fights for a new contract next season, to deliver a premiership.Were a successful club. The last grand final that we won was 2004. Weve been in two (grand finals) since and have gotten beat. We need to win, Lamb told AAP.We want to celebrate like the Sharkies did last season. That was a magnificent game last year, every grand final has been magnificent over the last three-to-four years. We want that.And to do so, the three-time premiership-winner believes Canterbury need to take a leaf out of the team that ended their finals run in the first week in September.The Panthers almost dazzled their way into a fairytale grand final on the back of an enterprising style of play, but ultimately fell two games short after being ousted by Canberra.Lamb reckonns the Bulldogs are a top-four team.ddddddddddddI dont want to question what Dessie does on the field because hes been very successful as a coach, Lamb said.But for me, Penrith came out 6-4 down at halftime against us in that elimination final, they scored four-to-five tries in that second half because they threw the ball around.That proves that these days you need to attack more than you defend.Lamb said he and Hasler have mended their relationship after Lamb questioned whether the former Manly coach understood the clubs famed Dogs of War culture.Hasler came under more fire later in the year, surviving a sensational post-season board meeting that ended in board member Steve Mortimer stepping down from his role.I had a meeting with Des, we spoke about it, we shook hands after it, Lamb said.When you know a person since 1986 as a roommate on a Kangaroo tour, its hard to put a knife through a friendship. But its not about what I want - its about what the club wants.And thats to be more flamboyant in the game itself. ' ' '