TOKYO (AFP) – A 16-year-old schoolgirl with a mean knuckleball has been selected as the first woman ever to play alongside the men in Japanese professional baseball.

Eri Yoshida was drafted for a new independent league that will launch in April, drawing attention for a side-armed knuckler that her future manager Yoshihiro Nakata said was a marvel.

"I never dreamed of getting drafted," Yoshida told reporters Monday, a day after she was selected to play for the Kobe 9 Cruise.

"I have only just been picked by the team and have not achieved anything," she said. "I want to play as a pro eventually in a higher league."

Yoshida, 155 centimetres (five feet) tall and weighing 52 kilograms (114 pounds), says she wants to follow in the footsteps of the great Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

A female professional baseball federation existed for a few years in the 1950s, but Yoshida will become Japan's first-ever woman to play alongside professional male players.

Nah, she is not a power pitcher, since she uses the knuckleballs tyles. Only like 30 to 60 Mph, when in hot as summer, make the ball go up then down quickly (while in the air, looks like u can hit but easy shaking motion, and the ball won't roll, just freeze ball while in air ) I used to be use of that as pitcher at Gallaudet Univ. but when in the cold air, the ball looks steady but hitters can see clearly and can hit so well...

Here is a link of knuckleball video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3tWTKL6xNM (how to pitch, and tips)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I9nl1Mt018 (show the slow motion, look at the ball when landing to catcher, look closely as ball didn't roll)

Yea you think u can see easily to hit but not...  on those video camera, didnt capture the balls in the air to show shaking..makes harder to see on tv. If i show you in person, and u sit as catcher, and I pitch to you, u will see a little dizzy to see the ball  and hard to catch..need to practice alot, then used to it....

I do not mind try this girl's pitch,  I am sure, at first, to get sense of it...then  I will firgue it out, then gonna kill her 's pitch later on. 

I am not sure if you know a famous pitcher from Boston Red Sox, he is best in his early age,  I noticed he lost some conflient in it, since the hitters knew his way and find way to hit away.

I remember him used to strikeout alot during Summer time, when cool air, or cold air ..the balls will not handle so well.

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One thing, For sure she won't make it in MLB (US Baseball)  lol.... she just wooing them out in Japan, try to get her, do thier flirt let her looks so good then later she wont, retired at 19 yrs old.  heh