Phil Niekro has seen a lot over the years. Prior to being named the first manager of the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets, the 14th winningest pitcher in baseball history (318 wins) spent 24 years in the major leagues. He has also seen a lot of baseball movies, including "A League of Their Own," which may have inspired his latest venture.
"When Tom Hanks said `women don't cry in baseball' he was right. They don't," said Niekro. " They get back up and play."And despite his team's latest setback, 11-3 to the Ogden Raptors Wednesday at Serge B. Simmon Field, the former all-star remains optimistic.
"It's refreshing for baseball to have something new," he said. "You can't judge this program by wins and losses. You have to judge it by how far they've come in four months.
"Give the women in this country 10-15 years to play this game and they'll be pretty damn good," Niekro added.
The Silver Bullets showed flashes of success against the Raptors, who gave their regular pitching staff the night off in favor of team administrators John Stein, Willie Ambos, Rich Morales and Dave Baggott.
Bullets third baseman Stacy Sunny, a 28-year-old from Huntington Beach, Calif., took advantage of the situation with three hits, including a pair of doubles, to drive in two runs.
The Silver Bullets finished the exhibition contest with six hits.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Lee Anne Ketcham caught the attention of Ogden's finest by striking out three Raptors in five innings of work. However, she fell victim to a poor first inning, surrendering three runs on no hits, and was hampered by poor defensive play from her supporting cast.
"She was tough as nails," said Baggott, Raptors team president. "If she had some good quality defense behind her, she could put up some numbers."
Ogden built a 5-0 lead before the Silver Bullets scored twice in the fifth inning. Following the Colorado icebreaker, the Raptors exploded for six more runs in the last two frames of the seven-inning affair to put the game out of reach.
"In order for us to compete we have to pitch well and play defense," said Niekro. "But, what do you expect after just four months of baseball?"
A first inning rain shower failed to dampen the Silver Bullets' enthusiasm -though the team has prevailed just five times in 39 outings this summer.
"They know how to play baseball. They are warriors," said Niekro. "I don't think the novelty will wear off. The players will get better. The win-loss record doesn't bother me. It's how they play the game."
And play they did.
"They've got a helluva little team," Baggott said. "They did a great job and should be commended. Anybody who didn't enjoy themselves tonight isn't a baseball fan."
Less than 3,000 fans braved the elements Wednesday, but as Ambos, who manages the Raptors and was one of Ketcham's strikeout victims noted: "how much fun can you have in one night?"
Ogden and Pioneer League mate Billings are the only two professional teams which will compete against the Silver Bullets this season. Following a lopsided setback to the Northern League All-Stars on May 8, the team opted for club opponents.
Despite the change, the opportunity remains intact. More than 1,800 women tried out for the Silver Bullets this season with more expected to give it a go next spring.
"Every out, every pitch means something to them," said Niekro. "The big thing is getting the chance to play and becoming better each day."