The spotlight continues to shine on Mo’ne Davis, star of this past summer’s Little League World Series.
The 13-year-old pitcher from Philadelphia starred in Chevy’s most recent television ad, with an inspiring message about girls in sports.
“I stand for girls who want to play sports with the boys and to be a role model for people young and old,” Davis says.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0y9V7mr9A?rel=0&w=640&h=360%5D
The always-vigilant NCAA released a statement within an hour of the commercial airing during Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, commenting on the eighth-grader’s college eligibility because of the fact that she was paid.
“Since January, NCAA Division I membership gave staff more flexibility to consider unique circumstances when determining eligibility,” according to a statement released by the NCAA, via USA Today. “The NCAA staff’s decision was made within this process and based on a combination of considerations. This waiver narrowly extends the rules — which allow Davis to accept the payment and still be eligible in any other sport — to include baseball. The NCAA staff also considered the historically limited opportunities for women to participate in professional baseball. In addition, Davis is much younger than when the vast majority of the prospect rules apply. While this situation is unusual, the flexible approach utilized in this decision is not.”
Davis and her 70-mph fastball dominated opposing hitters over the summer. She became the first girl to pitch a shutout in Little League postseason history while allowing just two infield hits and earning eight strikeouts in the effort.
Regardless of whether her successful baseball career extends into adulthood, Davis already has proven to be a role model for girls who aspire to break sports culture’s “throwing like a girl” stereotype.
