Kitty Burke was a nightclub entertainer fromCincinnati, Ohio who was noted for being the only female to ever attempt to bat in aMajor League Baseball game, albeit unofficially.[1][2][3]
On July 31, 1935, Burke was sitting in the stands atCrosley Field during a game between theCincinnati Reds and theSt. Louis Cardinals when she began heckling the players.[4] In what may have been a publicity stunt, she then strode to theon-deck circle, tookBabe Herman's bat and proceeded to "pinch hit".[5][6] She ended up grounding out to first base; however, the appearance was purely informal, and theumpires did not count this as an officialat bat or out, as she was not on the roster.[7][8] Allegedly, the Reds later gave her a uniform which she used while performing her act.[9]
