The IX: BASEBALL Wednesday with Howard Megdal, February 24, 2021

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So usually, we’re talking basketball here on Wednesdays, as you know. But I’ve got something I want to share with you.

This afternoon, I spoke with Justine Siegal, who is a trailblazer in the world of women’s baseball. She’s spent her life in the sport, and half her life building the pipeline, that simply didn’t exist, for girls to grow up playing the game, and women to get a chance to continue in the game.

What Justine is doing is more than just creating additional opportunities on an ad hoc basis — she’s an infrastructure person, which those of you who read The IX or know me understand to be very much my jam.

And a big, big leap forward is coming in 2021: we’re talking about college baseball for women.

Anyhow, I’m going to let the conversation speak for itself, and urge you to listen. But while we’ll be returning to Basketball Wednesday next week — it’s MARCH, after all — we’ll be returning to this subject often as well, with subscriber-only bonus coverage and proper context for progress that has the chance to change the way women experience baseball forever. Click on Justine to hear our conversation.

And if you don’t think that’s important, read the first link in this week’s collection to understand how sorely necessary this is.

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This week in women’s (mostly) basketball

Luisa Gauci has been told no more times than any human should. She’s playing college baseball anyway. IT. SHOULD. NOT. BE. THIS. HARD.

Great to see Renee Montgomery on the Time 100. A great call.

Here are Gabe Ibrahim’s WNBA tiers.

Here’s PJ Brown on the strength coach keeping Arizona strong this season.

Come for the Chantel Jennings wbb mailbag, stay for the call for a WNBA Draft Combine (IT IS LONG PAST DUE).

Jordin Canada’s mom, Joyce, is on Courtside Moms!

Terrific Marisa Ingemi piece on Paige Bueckers.

Brandon Sudge on Georgia’s biggest win yet.

Jonathan Kolb and Walt Hopkins joined WFAN.

Calvin Wetzel has a good look at what back-to-backs mean for performance.

The newest member of the New York Liberty, Sami Whitcomb, gets the Jackie Powell treatment.

Bailey Johnson dives into why it would be a mistake to sleep on Atlanta Dream’s productive offseason, and what might come next.

Dana Evans has an excellent backstory.

So what happened to Arizona against Stanford?

Rutgers, y’all. Remember it. Rutgers.

Yeah, I saved the best for last. Pepper Persley leading superstars in Black media in a discussion. Enjoy.

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Mondays: Soccer

By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson AP Women’s Soccer

Tuesdays: Tennis

By Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon Freelance Tennis Writer

Wednesdays: Basketball

By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal The Next

Thursdays: Golf

By Sarah Kellam @sarahkellam, The IX

Fridays: Hockey

By: Erica Ayala, @ELindsay08 NWHL Broadcaster