Lizzie Murphy
Queen of the Diamond
Queen of the Diamond
Why did you want to play baseball in 1900?
Best form of entertainment
How did you get started?
I played ball with my dad and brother
What was your first game experience?
I was bat girl at 8 years old
How did you get to play?
My brothers team forgot a team ball
So what?
I had one and I negotiated playing time
Did you ever play on a team officially?
Two teams at 15 years old
Were you still playing with only boys?
Yes
Did your parents approve?
No, my mother tried to talk me out of it
Why didn't that work?
I couldn't sit and watch the game
Did you play professionally?
Yes, for 17 years
Was it easy?
No, at first they wouldn't pay me
Did that change?
Yes, I advocated for myself
Five dollars a game, same as the men
What were your major accomplishments?
first woman to play major league exhibition game
played on National and American all star teams
I'm continuing my study of the book Poems are Teachers How Studying Poetry Strengthen Writing in All Genres by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater. Each week I will let you know the technique of the week I've played with and a thought or two about the process.
"..we can also make something new from days gone by." Amy Ludwig Vanderwater
This week was Listen to History and I knew right away I wanted to find a softball picture book in our house and try to make something new from it. Queen of the Diamond The Lizzie Murphy Story by Emily Arnold McCully is the one I could easily find in my teenagers bedrooms. I reread this picture and was instantly reminded how important history is to show us growth, strength, and risk taking individuals that made a difference for us today.
As I read this picture book I found myself collecting short phrases to chronically tell Lizzie's story. However Amy's Try It prompts lists questions to spark some felling and emotion about the history. I decided to use the prompt, If you could bring someone from this time period to life, what would you ask?
As I read this picture book I found myself collecting short phrases to chronically tell Lizzie's story. However Amy's Try It prompts lists questions to spark some felling and emotion about the history. I decided to use the prompt, If you could bring someone from this time period to life, what would you ask?
Poetry Friday is a state of mind, not a day of the week. (Ooh! I think I'll go to Canva and make a graphic of that quote I just made up!!)
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I'd change about this poem is letting the reader know the name of The Queen of the Diamond. Maybe even in your title. I love that you interviewed her from the future and put her answers in the form of a poem!
Thanks for the feedback Mary Lee, I went back and made a title revision. As soon as I read your comment I agreed. Most poems stand on their own without my little narrative underneath.
DeleteFascinating story and fun format!
ReplyDeleteThank you--I learned about someone new today. What a fascinating story she has to tell.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are trying out the poem lessons from Amy's book. I thought from the title it might be about one of your daughters, but quickly realized it wasn't. Maybe someday you could write a poem about their life in softball. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea... I have certainly watched them lots and could probably ponder a small anthology, okay mini anthology.
DeleteI absolutely love this for many reasons - it is a wonderful poem and format. I also love the learner in you that inspires others. Love how you share your thinking / learning process for writing this poem. Great subject too!
ReplyDelete