Bok makes history as first girl in local BRWS
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Since 1980, in the 20 Babe Ruth World Series that Jamestown, New York, has hosted, many athletes have made their mark on baseball history.
That includes Richie Sexson, who went on to be a two-time MLB All-Star, Ben McDonald, who was the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft in 1989, and Kris Benson, who was selected first in the 1996 draft.
While those athletes had to wait until after the series to have their names etched in history to be remembered forever, a member of the Pacific Northwest Region champions has already earned a spot in history at Jamestown's 21st Babe Ruth World Series.
Playing for Woodlands, Washington, this week, Karlie Bok became the first girl to play at the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown.
"It's pretty cool," Bok said about becoming the first girl to play at the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown. "It's a great opportunity to make history and like take charge in women's history."
Woodlands had to win 11 games in a row to claim the Pacific Northwest Region and this week Bok has already shown she is not just along for the ride. In Tuesday's contest against National Division leader Atlantic Shore, New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic Region champion's bats were getting to Woodlands, Washington, pulling away with a 9-0 lead, but that changed as Bok entered the game at pitcher.
"We have a great team, it's like a family," Bok said about reaching the World Series. "Just staying connected and all together."
Atlantic Shore, New Jersey, looked like it was on the way to another mercy-rule victory, but Bok halted the red hot offense with the first 1-2-3 inning on the mound for her team.
"It's great," Bok added about playing and finding success. "It's great to be part of a team and part of something more than yourself."
While Bok's performance didn't turn the tides for her team in the game, she showed everyone watching that she belongs right there with the boys competing at the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series.
"She's been pretty amazing ever since she started playing," Bok's dad, Dave, said about her performance. "It's pretty special to watch her come in during high-pressure situations. It's great to watch her pitch and keep up with the boys and outperform them at times. It's definitely been pretty special."
Bok and her Woodlands teammates wrapped up their tournament on Wednesday against Bethel, Connecticut, with a 10-0 loss in six innings. However, no matter the result, the team was able to participate in the Babe Ruth World Series and made history with Karlie Bok becoming the first girl to compete in Jamestown.
"I'm just so proud of her," Dave Bok added. "I can't imagine we're here and it’s pretty special to find out she is the first girl to play in this. I can't be more proud of her."