How I wrote . . .
The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth
Jean Streufert Patrick (author) with her dog -- approx 1972.
Growing up with Baseball
When I was a girl, I loved summers.
Almost every afternoon, my brothers and I would watch the Chicago Cubs game on television. We'd yell and scream and jump on the couch, cheering for our favorite players: Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo.
My dream was to play second base for the Cubs. Maybe I could help them win a World Series. But there was a problem.
Even though I could play ball as well as any of the boys in my neighborhood, I was not allowed to play Little League baseball. Why? In those days, Little League was only for boys.
I thought about disguising myself as a boy. Unfortunately, my parents were hopelessly honest. No way could I get away with a lie.
Meanwhile, I had another big dream. I wanted to be an author. Little did I know that it would start with another girl who loved baseball. Her name was Jackie Mitchell.
When I was a girl, I loved summers.
Almost every afternoon, my brothers and I would watch the Chicago Cubs game on television. We'd yell and scream and jump on the couch, cheering for our favorite players: Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo.
My dream was to play second base for the Cubs. Maybe I could help them win a World Series. But there was a problem.
Even though I could play ball as well as any of the boys in my neighborhood, I was not allowed to play Little League baseball. Why? In those days, Little League was only for boys.
I thought about disguising myself as a boy. Unfortunately, my parents were hopelessly honest. No way could I get away with a lie.
Meanwhile, I had another big dream. I wanted to be an author. Little did I know that it would start with another girl who loved baseball. Her name was Jackie Mitchell.
Uncovering Jackie's Story
Many people wonder how I found out about Jackie Mitchell.
Several years ago, I read the book Winning Ways, a incredible book by Sue Macy. On one of the pages, I saw a photograph of a girl on a pitcher's mound. The caption said that on April 2, 1931, 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Who knew?
A couple months later, I attended a SCBWI conference in North Dakota. I told an editor from Lerner Publishing about Jackie Mitchell. Almost immediately, she asked if I would like to write a book.
Many people wonder how I found out about Jackie Mitchell.
Several years ago, I read the book Winning Ways, a incredible book by Sue Macy. On one of the pages, I saw a photograph of a girl on a pitcher's mound. The caption said that on April 2, 1931, 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Who knew?
A couple months later, I attended a SCBWI conference in North Dakota. I told an editor from Lerner Publishing about Jackie Mitchell. Almost immediately, she asked if I would like to write a book.
Researching Jackie's Story
Before I could begin writing, I had to do an enormous amount of research. I studied old newspapers from 1931. I talked to historians and sports writers from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I even called the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
As I researched, I felt like a detective. What actually happened? Did 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell really strike out Babe Ruth?
The answer, of course, was "yes." On a tape of an old newsreel, I watched Jackie pitch to the Babe. After he struck out, he wasn't very happy. In fact, he slammed down his bat and yelled at the umpire.
Before I could begin writing, I had to do an enormous amount of research. I studied old newspapers from 1931. I talked to historians and sports writers from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I even called the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
As I researched, I felt like a detective. What actually happened? Did 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell really strike out Babe Ruth?
The answer, of course, was "yes." On a tape of an old newsreel, I watched Jackie pitch to the Babe. After he struck out, he wasn't very happy. In fact, he slammed down his bat and yelled at the umpire.
Writing Jackie's Story
Next, I had to figure out how to write the story. How would I make the book interesting? Would I begin the book with Jackie on the mound? And how would I include the different opinions about Jackie's strikeouts?
It took me about four months to write the first draft. My editor said she loved it . . . But I ended up having to rewrite the entire beginning of the book. So I went back to my research. I added exciting facts. Subtracted boring details. Rearranged sentences. Replaced dull verbs.
By the time The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth was published, more than three years had passed.
Even though the book required enormous amounts of work, I loved learning about the girl who had the talent and courage to become a great ballplayer.
Next, I had to figure out how to write the story. How would I make the book interesting? Would I begin the book with Jackie on the mound? And how would I include the different opinions about Jackie's strikeouts?
It took me about four months to write the first draft. My editor said she loved it . . . But I ended up having to rewrite the entire beginning of the book. So I went back to my research. I added exciting facts. Subtracted boring details. Rearranged sentences. Replaced dull verbs.
By the time The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth was published, more than three years had passed.
Even though the book required enormous amounts of work, I loved learning about the girl who had the talent and courage to become a great ballplayer.
For more information about women and baseball, click here.