A Bloomington girl is suing the Indiana High School Athletic Association so she can play baseball for her high school team. Logan Young has been playing baseball since she was little and now wants to play at the high school level. Because the school also offers softball the Athletic Association is contending that she is not allowed to try out for the baseball team. Her attorney’s are arguing that under Title IX she should be allowed to try out for baseball.
According to Title IX organizations cannot deny or discriminate, based on sex, any activity receiving Federal funding, so it would appear on the surface that the high school IS discriminating. However many of the Title IX cases have been about schools not providing an equal alternative for girls. Hence the reason for many high school and college athletic programs cutting men’s sports to add women’s sports. And according to Wikipedia (bolding is mine):
With respect to athletic programs, the Dept. of Education evaluates the following factors in determining whether equal treatment exists:[7]
(1) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both sexes; (2) The provision of equipment and supplies; (3) Scheduling of games and practice time; (4) Travel and per diem allowance; (5) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring; (6) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors; (7) Provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; (8) Provision of medical and training facilities and services; (9) Provision of housing and dining facilities and services; (10) Publicity. Unequal aggregate expenditures for members of each sex or unequal expenditures for male and female teams if a recipient operates or sponsors separate teams will not constitute noncompliance with this section, but the Assistant Secretary [of Education for Civil Rights] may consider the failure to provide necessary funds for teams for one sex in assessing equality of opportunity for members of each sex.
The real question here is, should a girl be able to play with the boys? I don’t agree that this is a Title IX issue. The girls are given equal access to sports and are provided the opportunity to participate.
I am torn, because as a father who hopes to one day have a little girl, I would hope that if she wanted to play hockey, football, baseball, etc, that she would have that opportunity. I think that it is important that we give girls any and all opportunities to play and participate in sports. I also believe though, that we are too quick to legislate to the minority through legal action. Too many times lawsuits are a first step and not a last resort. I have to believe that there is an answer beyond a lawsuit, the school and the parents should be able to come together and find a suitable solution.
It will be interesting to see what happens in this case, because it could in essence redefine the meaning AND intent of Title IX.
What do you think? Is the school discriminating, and should Logan be allowed to play ball?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Ryan // Nov 26, 2008 at 10:34 am
Well, the school says they support the girl’s desire to play ball and the lawsuit. They claim their hands are tied until there’s a ruling. The IHSAA, on the other hand, claims that all the school needed to do was apply for a waiver, which would most likely have been granted, and the girl would have been allowed to play. So either the girl’s family was too quick to jump into a lawsuit or the IHSAA has changed their tune now that the public spotlight is shining on them.
It seems that the argument really comes down to one thing. Are softball and baseball the same sport? That’s kind of like asking if field hockey and ice hockey are the same sport. If the girl wants to play baseball, not softball, I say let her try out for the team, at least.
2 Lindsey // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:07 am
She should be able to try out, the athletic dpt just makes a deal with the baseball coach that she doesn’t make the team
3 Aaron Matthews // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:29 pm
The next question would be - do boys get the same rights to play softball if they don’t want to play baseball? (Yes, there are still pockets of boys that play fastpitch)
Or even moreso, since she plays volleyball, would she be ok if some of the boys came out for volleyball try outs?
Do I think she should be able to try out for the team? Sure… but only if the boys have the same rights to try out for the softball team. If not, it’s just another sexist use of Title IX.
4 Tweeterdum // Dec 4, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Boys are bigger and stronger than girls, so it makes no sense to let boys ‘play down’ in women’s sports. But if a girl is good enough to play up, I say let her play.
Giving one girl a chance doesn’t mean boys are being discriminated against en masse.
As a woman who got an opportunity to play high school sports and got a ride to college as a direct result of Title IX, I won’t apologize for taking a scholarship (or a program) from a man. It’s achieving its intent.
5 Aaron // Dec 18, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Not to point out facts, on average GIRLS are bigger during middle school, and freshman year boys and girls are basically the same height and weight. Upon that, you do understand that “average” does not mean “all”. Add to that, if girls are that bad that any boy, of any age can beat them, should they be playing sports? It’s a safety issue if you really believe that
Not only that, EVERY girl is given that right when boys aren’ t. That is gender discrimination
I’m sorry, I thought equality was it’s intent. I’ve recently learned it really is about vindictiveness and punishing young boys for being boys.
but.. that would be the sexist use of Title IX i was pointing out
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