Ria Cortesio
Encyclopedia
Ria Cortesio is a former American baseball
umpire, working games at the Double A
level. On March 29, 2007, she became the first woman since Pam Postema
in 1989 to work a Major league exhibition game, serving alternately as the first and third base umpire in a spring training game between the Chicago Cubs
and Arizona Diamondbacks
. The 2007 season was her ninth and final professional season and fifth at the Double A level. After being denied promotion for many years, she was released by the Minor League Baseball on October 30, 2007. Author Bruce Weber and female umpire Kate Sargeant claim that Ria was denied promotion due to sexism, possibly with her male superiors colluding against her.
Cortesio, of Greek descent, was born in Davenport, IA, in 1976.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
umpire, working games at the Double A
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
level. On March 29, 2007, she became the first woman since Pam Postema
Pam Postema
Pam Postema is a baseball umpire most notable for being the first female to ever officiate a Major League Baseball spring training game...
in 1989 to work a Major league exhibition game, serving alternately as the first and third base umpire in a spring training game between the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. The 2007 season was her ninth and final professional season and fifth at the Double A level. After being denied promotion for many years, she was released by the Minor League Baseball on October 30, 2007. Author Bruce Weber and female umpire Kate Sargeant claim that Ria was denied promotion due to sexism, possibly with her male superiors colluding against her.
Cortesio, of Greek descent, was born in Davenport, IA, in 1976.