Kayoko Yoshikai

Knuckle Princess Eri Yoshida Was Inspired By Tim Wakefield’s Knuckle Ball The first female to pitch for a professional baseball league in ten years was inspired by Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. The “Knuckle Princess” Eri Yoshida made her decision to be a professional baseball player and join a man’s world when she was only thirteen years old after seeing Wakefield throw a “knuckle” ball. That pitch is also known as “devil” ball because it’s so hard to hit. And Eri knew if she could master what Tim Wakefield did, she could compete with boys as a knuckle ball pitcher. Then Eri thought of a new knuckle ball technique and taught herself to throw it using her own style. She grips the ball with three fingers and her thumb, but doesn’t use … Read entire article »