MUSCODA - Most folks living in Wisconsin are probably thinking forward to spring and outdoor activities. A few days ago I drove along the west side of Riverdale High School and noticed the softball diamond, which was new last year. Prior to that girls played their games on the Jaycee Park diamond near Riverside Park.

In spite of the forecast for mushy weather this week, spring will get here. The current school calendar indicates the girls will play their first 2023 home softball game Friday, March 24, starting at 5:00 p.m. against Lancaster.

You may think women in sports are something fairly new. However, the “Muscoda, The First 100 Years” book has a photograph of the Muscoda High School 1903 Women’s basketball team with 11 players. They were wearing long dresses and long black stockings for uniforms.

Jump forward to June, 1979, when an article in this newspaper announced “Girls Are Now Taking Part in Little League.” The story starts: “The sex barrier has been broken as three girls have joined the ranks.”

The girls were Jeannie Hackl, Suzi Zintz, and Jennie Victora. Director of the Muscoda Little League Program was the late John Kraus.