Dear young female athlete,

You hear it everywhere: "You hit like a girl," or, "You run like a girl." We have heard this since childhood, most famously said in "The Sandlot." Most of the time, this is said as an insult or trying to get into someone's head. If we really look at all the great woman athletes, then really, playing sports "like a girl" is something people should strive for. I've never been very good at sports, but that has never stopped me from loving them. I have a passion for watching sports and a passion for empowering young girls to be the best athlete they can be, despite the stereotypes.

So when young girls get discouraged because someone tells them they play like a girl, I want them to remember this letter. Next time someone tells you that you throw like a girl, remember Monica Abbott, pitcher for the Chicago Bandits fast-pitch softball team, who holds the world record of fastest woman pitch at 77 miles-per-hour. When someone says you kick like a girl, think of Abby Wambach, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Woman's World Cup champion. She also holds the record for the highest all-time goal scorer for the woman's national team, and the record for highest international goals for both female and male soccer players.

When someone tells you that you play like a girl, just remind them of Serena Williams. She is the number one-ranked women's singles tennis player and has earned the title six times. Serena is the reigning champion of not only the Olympic, but also the French Open and Wimbledon. So next time you get discouraged because someone is trying to insult you by saying you do anything like a girl, educate them about all the great woman in sports, and if after that they still continue to be anything but supportive, then prove them wrong.

Sincerely,

A Feminist And A Sports Enthusiast