Monica Arcuri to become just 24th girl to compete at the Little League World Series

The GIST: When the Little League World Series (LLWS), an annual tournament featuring the top 10- to 12-year-old baseball players from around the world, swings into action from hallowed Williamsport, Pennsylvania, today, you’ll see a girl take the diamond for just the 24th time in the tourney’s 78 years.

• So before the on-field action and viral interviews begin, let’s slide into the history of girls playing Little League baseball and the recent uptick in girls’ participation. Batter up!

💪 Rule change paves the way for girls to play ball: In 1974, 35 years after Little League was first founded, the organization amended its charter to permit girls to compete. Since then, millions have taken the diamond, having the choice to opt for baseball, which on the surface is similar to the oft-prescribed softball but differs in rules, strategy, and skillset.

• Belgium’s Victoria Roche was the first girl to reach the famed tournament in 1984, blazing a trail for those to follow, including Mo’ne Davis, who took the sports world by storm in 2014 when she became the first girl to win a game and throw a shutout in the LLWS. Legendary.

‼️ Monica Arcuri to represent Australia at LLWS: Arcuri is set to become just the second girl to represent The Land Down Under when her squad opens play vs. Panama today at 5 p.m. ET. But the milestone is becoming a trend — Arcuri’s appearance will mark the sixth straight LLWS with a girl on the roster. Today’s Little Leaguers, tomorrow’s pros.