History of the Chicago Gems and the
Chicago Women's Baseball League
<-- Gems History, Part 3
2008
The year began with the formation of the Chicago Women's Baseball League, a program of the Chicago Gems Women's Baseball Club, to provide regular baseball competitions for women in a player-led environment. The managers and player representatives from the Comets, Riveters, Skyline and Turtle Rocks, along with the Gems Board, worked together to administer the new league, meeting several times over the winter to write a rulebook, run practices, recruit new players, buy baseballs and all of the other tasks involved with running the new league.
The CWBL opened its season on Sunday, June 1 at the Bedford Park District fields in Bedford Park. The CWBL was honored to have Bridget Venturi Veenema, a member of the US Women's National Team, throw out the first pitch. (Opening Day Program) The Riveters had both the best regular season record at 9-2 and won the championship game, defeating the Comets, who made their second straight finals appearance. pictures | game recaps
2008 CWBL Champs - Riveters
Front: Christine
Middle L-R: Brenda, Jen L, Amy, Jen S
Back L-R: Bill, Lisa, Jamie, Caroline, Megan, Jill
Not Pitcured: Meredith, Sofi, Katie
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The Gems reached a milestone by taking two teams to the Can-Am tournament, placing one in each division. Gems I went 3-1 in pool play, but lost to the tough Aussie Hearts team in the championship game. Gems II played competitively, with several tournament rookies gaining valuable experience that helped their CWBL teams the rest of the season and that will help the Gems at future tournaments.
2008 Can-Am Tournament Team I - Division Runners-Up
Front Row L-R: Jen L, Jen S, Peggy Sue, Annie, Amy, Mandy
Back Row L-R: Theresa, Taz, Christine, Jason, Dana, Charlene
Not Pictured: Alicia
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2008 Can-Am Tournament Team II
Front Row L-R: Brenda, Meredith, Yumi, Joelle
Back Row L-R: Jill, Marsha, Shawn, Tracy, Kristen, Val, Hannah, Phil
Not Pictured: Marie
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The CWBL was well represented in the Roy Hobbs Women's World Series, as eighteen of its players participated on four of the teams. Amy, Annie, Dana, Jamie, Jen S, Peggy Sue and Taz played for the Gems. Jen L, Jill, Lisa, Marie, Megan O, Sofi, Val took the field for the Tide. Tracy and Marsha saw action with the Wildcats and Anna and Danielle played for the Pioneers. The Gems went undefeated in pool play, outscoring their opponents 50-12, and obtained the number two seed for the playoffs. The Great Lakes Tide and the Chicago Pioneers both gave the Gems good battles in the playoffs but the Gems prevailed to earn their first trip to the finals. The Gems were defeated by the New England Red Sox in the finals.
Roy Hobbs Tournament Team 2008
Front L-R: Jamie, Amy, Charlene, Annie, Jen S, Peggy Sue
Back L-R: Bill, Laura, Dana, Tess, Taz, Theresa, Jason
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