Girls Little League softball began nationwide in 1974. That year 30,000 girls aged 8-12 signed up to play, and the first World Series was held.
In 1975 in Medford, Ore., Dennis Murphy and Sister Mary Breiling taught together at Sacred Heart School, where Murphy coached sixth grade softball. Having some girls who “could really play well,” he encouraged them to try out for Little League softball, which he also coached.
By the end of a second unbeaten season, Murphy was asked to coach the all-star team. He made Sister Mary Breiling the team manager and thus began an amazing adventure. The team claimed the city title, then the state title, the Northwest title and finally the Western United States title with an unbeaten record. Their next stop would be the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn.
Their softball uniforms, consisting of short shorts, shirts with a vest and poufy hats were “reminiscent of the Radio City Rockettes.” An example is still on display at the Little League museum in Pennsylvania.
The amazing team clinched the 1975 World Series title by remaining unbeaten. A victory parade awaited them when they returned, and their feat remains unparalleled.
Sources: "Medford had its own World Series champs." Mail Tribune 2 Nov. 2015 [Medford OR] . Web. 1 Mar. 2016. www.mailtribune.com/article/20151102/SPORTS/151109958 ; "Winning it all: Medford memory." Ventures Fall 2011: 7. Web. 28 Feb. 2016.
