The Girl Who Changed Little League

The True Story of Maria Pepe and Her Battle to Play Ball

By: Maria Pepe, Jean L. S. Patrick, Sarah Green

Narrated by: Daisy Guevara

Discover the true story of Maria Pepe, an eleven-year-old girl who changed the course of Little League history.

Maria Pepe loved baseball. When Little League formed in her hometown in 1972, she was eager to prove herself as a competitor. There was only one problem: Little League was not open to girl players. This didn’t stop Maria. She took her glove and joined her friends, Nicky and Louie, at tryouts. She could hit, pitch, and catch as good as any of the boys—better than many, even, and it was no surprise that Maria made the team. Little did she know, she would make history when the Little League officials refused to let her play because she was a girl.

Highlighting resilience and bravery in the face of opposition, this powerful story details the true events that led to girls being able to play Little League—all told from Maria’s first-person perspective as a young athlete.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Girl Who Changed Little League
"A valuable work of nonfiction, this book will encourage girls and boys alike to treat all genders with equal dignity and respect.”—School Library Journal

"The text doesn’t gloss over the challenges Maria endured (lost friendships, angry adults, and hurtful remarks), making her resilience even more inspiring. Her story is a powerful reminder that young people can take meaningful action and spark change. With lively illustrations that capture Maria’s charismatic spirit and back matter that adds valuable context, this book is an uplifting addition to any children’s collection, especially where books about girls in sports are popular."—Booklist