WCL’s First Female Pitcher Faces Pippins Tonight

When the Yakima Valley Pippins play the Victoria, B.C. HarbourCats tonight, they will be part of West Coast League history.

The HarbourCats will have the first female to ever don a uni in the league toeing the rubber against the Pips - left-handed knuckleballer Claire Eccles - will take the ball to start the game.

Eccles, a 5'8" native of Surrey, British Columbia and a Junior at the University of B.C., has made four appearances in league games in relief so far this season.

Like her predecessor Ila Borders, Eccles is proof why we love sports. It is the ultimate meritocracy. If you can throw, run, catch or hit, it matters not one's gender, size or athleticism.

You can hear the action live on 1460 ESPN Yakima tonight with the voice of the Pippins Jack Benjamin describing the action beginning at 6:35.