The Girl Who Changed Little League

The True Story of Maria Pepe

and her Battle to Play Ball

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Christy Ottaviano Books

(Little Brown and Company)

(pub. 3.3.2026)

48 pages

Ages 6 - 8

Author: Maria Pepe & Jean L.S. Patrick

   Illustrator: Sarah Green

Character: Maria Pepe

Overview:

" Maria Pepe loved baseball. When Little League formed in her hometown in 1972, she was eager to prove herself as a competitor. There was only one problem: Little League was not open to girl players. This didn’t stop Maria. She took her glove and joined her friends, Nicky and Louie, at tryouts. She could hit, pitch, and catch as good as any of the boys—better than many, even, and it was no surprise that Maria made the team. Little did she know, she would make history when the Little League officials refused to let her play because she was a girl."

Tantalizing taste:

"On November 7, 1973, hearing officer Sylvia Pressler announced her decision.

Girls must be allowed to participate in Little League.

"The institution of Little League is as American as the hot dog and apple pie,' she stated. 'There's no reason why that part of Americana should be withheld from girls.'"

And something more: Note from Maria Pepe shares: "My personal experience with discrimination at such a young age did not deter me from playing sports... Participating in sports helped me both professionally and personally to appreciate the importance of teamwork, winning and losing, and so much more. These are the values that Little League has as its mission...

"It has been over fifty years since I stepped onto the pitcher's mound in Hoboken and the 1974 court ruling that followed, and I have come full circle... I still live in Hoboken, where the batting cages at the Little League field are named after me. Currently, I dedicate my time and support to encouraging girls to follow their passions and believe in themselves. The best part of all is the privilege of watching girls play baseball and participate in the sport I love."