Latest news with #ChamplinPark
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Minnesota softball player, parent speak out as trans pitcher dominates postseason
Minnesota's high school softball postseason has been overshadowed by the dominance of a transgender pitcher at Champlin Park High School. The pitcher led Champlin Park to the state tournament with a dominant shutout victory in the sectional final on Thursday. Meanwhile, a lawsuit by three anonymous female players has been filed against the state for allowing the player to compete. The law firm representing the plaintiffs, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), has provided statements from one of the female players about her experience facing the trans athlete. "Hitting against him is not only a physical challenge but a mental, too. It's a mental battle knowing that he has an advantage in the sport that I grew up playing, making it hard to even want to hit against him. His ability to get outs and spin the ball is a strong advantage, but like I said it's also incredibly mentally challenging knowing that you're competing against someone who has unfair advantages leaving you with little to no confidence," the player said. "This issue has affected me in ways that I never imagined. It's simply unfair and I hate that nothing is happening to change that. Boys should not be able to take girls spots on teams just because they are capable of doing so. I hope that more girls affected by this issue will stand up against this." The anonymous player also called out Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for aggressively defending trans inclusion in girls' sports in the state. Ellison has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice over Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. "It's really upsetting to know that [Ellison] isn't taking rights of girls and women seriously. He is allowing boys to compete with girls, and it is not safe and completely unfair. To know that AG Ellison is in complete support of letting boys and men take advantage of females in sports is absolutely disgusting and wrong," the player added. A local Minnesota parent of another player who had to face the athlete spoke out about the situation during an interview on OutKick's "The Ricky Cobb Show." "It really comes down to cowardice leadership at the local state and federal level," said Garret Gross, the father of a local player. "Softball is different man, I'm telling you, these girls are strong, these girls are tough, but they're different than boys. At the highest levels, that ball is coming in 70-plus miles an hour from the pitcher's circle, which is only 43 feet away, and it's coming off that bat 80–85 miles an hour, and it's not question of if or when there will be a catastrophic injury or death that occurs because of this imbalance. The only question really is, is how old will the girl be that's killed and what will her name be? "That's a strong statement, but that's where it's going to get to and that's going to be really the only thing that's going to make the public wake up here, and the question to all the apathetic people on the sidelines, why are you keeping quiet when we know this is going to happen?" Champlin Park's school district provided a statement to Fox News Digital defending the decision to allow the athlete to compete on the softball team. "Throughout the entire season, and as the Rebels advance to the state tournament, it is important to note that all of the student athletes participating for the Champlin Park Softball team are eligible to compete in compliance with Minnesota State High School League rules and applicable state law. Due to data privacy laws, the District is not able to provide public comment regarding a specific student athlete," a statement from the Anoka-Hennepin School District stated. "In addition, the District is named in an active lawsuit which limits what information can be shared." After Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would defy federal law by allowing transgender athletes to continue playing in women's sports. Ellison then claimed at a press conference on April 22 that he received notice from the Department of Justice threatening legal action if the state did not follow the executive order, so the AG decided to sue first. The White House later responded to the lawsuit, condemning Ellison for taking legal action to enable trans inclusion. "Why would a grown man sue the Trump administration to allow other biological males to participate in women's sports? This is creepy and anti-woman," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Fox News Digital. Minnesota's state legislature failed to pass the "Preserving Girls' Sports Act" in early March, which would have stated that "only female students may participate in an elementary or secondary school level athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted to women and girls." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Minnesota high school defends trans softball pitcher's playoff dominance amid lawsuit
A high school softball team in Minnesota is deep in the state playoffs and the political news cycle, both thanks to its dominant transgender pitcher. Champlin Park High School in Minnesota defeated the defending state champions, Rogers High School, in the sectional final on Thursday by a score of 1-0. The trans pitcher threw 14 shutout innings, bringing the athlete's season ERA down to 0.88. Three anonymous players who claim to have faced the pitcher filed a lawsuit against the state on May 20 for allowing the athlete to compete against female players. The situation has prompted national scrutiny amid the ongoing political divide over biological males in girls' and women's sports. Champlin Park's school district provided a statement to Fox News Digital defending the decision to allow the athlete to compete on the softball team. "Throughout the entire season, and as the Rebels advance to the state tournament, it is important to note that all of the student athletes participating for the Champlin Park Softball team are eligible to compete in compliance with Minnesota State High School League rules and applicable state law. Due to data privacy laws, the District is not able to provide public comment regarding a specific student athlete," a statement from the Anoka-Hennepin School District stated. "In addition, the District is named in an active lawsuit which limits what information can be shared." The pitcher will now lead Champlin Park into the state tournament next week for the first time in program history. The lawsuit against Minnesota was filed by the religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The defendants are Attorney General Keith Ellison, the Minnesota State High School League Executive Director Erich Martens, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero and Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett. "Minnesota is failing its female athletes. The state is putting the rights of males ahead of females, telling girls their hard work may never be enough to win and that they don't deserve fairness and safety," Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Suzanne Beecher told Fox News Digital. "By sacrificing protection for female athletes, Minnesota fails to offer girls equal treatment and opportunity, violating Title IX's provisions. Our client, Female Athletes United, is right to stand up for its members by challenging the state's discriminatory policy and advocate for true equality in sports." Ellison's office has responded to the lawsuit in a statement to Fox News Digital. "In addition to getting exercise and the fun of competition, playing sports comes with so many benefits for young people. You build friendships that can last a lifetime, you learn how to work as part of a team, and you get to feel like you belong," the statement read. "I believe it is wrong to single out one group of students, who already face higher levels of bullying and harassment, and tell these kids they cannot be on the team because of who they are. I will continue to defend the rights of all students to play sports with their friends and peers." Ellison is also suing President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice to ensure transgender athletes can continue participating in girls' sports in the state. After Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would defy federal law by allowing transgender athletes to continue playing in women's sports. Ellison then claimed at a press conference on April 22 that he received notice from the Department of Justice threatening legal action if the state did not follow the executive order, so the AG decided to sue first. The White House later responded to the lawsuit, condemning Ellison for taking legal action to enable trans inclusion. "Why would a grown man sue the Trump administration to allow other biological males to participate in women's sports? This is creepy and anti-woman," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Fox News Digital. Minnesota's state legislature failed to pass the "Preserving Girls' Sports Act" in early March, which would have stated that "only female students may participate in an elementary or secondary school level athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted to women and girls." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Fury as transgender softball player in Tim Walz's Minnesota destroys female rivals
Minnesota and governor Tim Walz are under attack from critics of transgender athletes in women's sports after one such softball pitcher shut out the state's defending champions in a pivotal high school game. 'A dude pitcher led his team to the women's softball title in Minnesota,' read an X post from Outkick Sports' Clay Travis. 'Nice work @GovTimWalz.' Described by the Star Tribune as 'perennial bridesmaids' in Class 4A, Section 5 Minnesota softball, Champlin Park defeated Rogers, 1-0, to secure a trip to Mankato next week for the first state tournament appearance in school history. The section championship was a pitchers' duel between Rogers' AnnaBelle Waldoch and Champlin Park's Marissa Rothenberger, the latter of whom is believed to be transgender. 'You could tell she was ready to play today,' senior infielder Reese Reimler told the Star Tribune of Rothenberger after her shutout. 'We have 110% confidence in her. She's the hardest worker I know.' At nine, Rothenberger's mother applied in district court to alter her child's birth certificate after their ninth birthday, with the petition being approved, per Reduxx. Rothenberger was issued a new birth certificate showing to be born female, switching their name from 'Charlie Dean' to Marissa. Walz, a former high school teacher and football coach, has been an ally to trans athletes. In 2023, he signed the 'Trans Refuge" bill to shield those seeking such care from punishment Rothenberger appears to be referenced in a lawsuit against Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison filed earlier in the month. The complaint, obtained by Daily Mail, claims a 'male' pitcher playing for Champlin Park's girls team has created an unfair playing field for female rivals, who have been denied honors and opportunities as a result. Daily Mail has reached out to an Anoka-Hennepin school district spokesman for comment. President Donald Trump has been working to rid female sports from transgender athletes by signing an executive order threatening to withhold funding from any institution that violates the declaration. Statistics on transgender participation in female sports aren't comprehensive. However, in December, NCAA President Charlie Baker testified that fewer than 10 are competing among 500,000 collegiate student athletes in the country. The American Medical Association and American Psychiatric Association have both stated that gender is a spectrum and not a binary structure, as the White House argued in its January 20 executive order 'defending women from gender ideology.' Walz, a former high school teacher and football coach, has been an ally to trans athletes. In 2023, he signed the 'Trans Refuge" bill to shield those seeking and providing gender-affirming care in the state.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Trans high school softball pitcher who changed genders at nine now towers over female rivals and dominates league
Transgender Minnesota high school softball player Marissa Rothenberger, who reportedly switched genders at nine years old, has been fanning opponents during her junior prep season. Rothenberger, now 17, is a pitcher for Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minnesota, which is located about 15 miles northwest of Minneapolis and has amassed a 5-1 record in the circle this season. Rothenberger's profile as a solid pitcher in the North Star State comes amid the ongoing debate of biological males competing in women's sports. The matter has reached a fever pitch since Donald Trump 's reinsertion as American President, with him pushing for a ban and even signed an executive order entitled: 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports'. Transgender athletes' rights have been a divisive issue for several years with swimmer Lia Thomas and volleyball star Blaire Fleming finding themselves at the heart of the fierce debate, with Rothenberger joining them. At nine, Rothenberger's mother applied in district court to alter her child's birth certificate after their ninth birthday, with the petition being approved, per Reduxx. Rothenberger was issued a new birth certificate showing to be born female, switching their name from 'Charlie Dean' to Marissa. Minnesota does not require birth certificates to be marked if they have a gender change, per Outkick, with that not standing in Marissa's way of eligibility. Trump's executive order led the NCAA to update its policy on transgender athletes in women's sports, using birth certificates to determine an athlete's gender. Rothenberger's junior-year stats heading into Champlin Park's Friday night game, which includes a 0.72 earned-run average and 59 strikeouts, while only giving up a single home run, line up with athletes who can earn college softball opportunities. Rothenberger would be eligible to continuing playing under the NCAA banner with the current policy, even if there are protests from opponents or teammates. The Trump administration is currently suing the state of Maine for not complying with his executive order, with no such action known toward Minnesota. On Thursday's episode of 'Around The Horn', panelist and former ESPN staffer Kate Fagan spoke out on the issue in favor of transgender athletes. 'Trans kids deserve to play sports,' Fagan said. 'Think about what you remember from your time playing sports and 99 percent of it is: finding that jersey for the first time, your favorite number, community, joy, those high-fives.' 'It's that moment when you have a great play with a teammate, it's the feeling of belonging and it does not know gender. Trans kids deserve that - the same as everybody else does.'
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Trans high school softball player who switched gender at 9 years old dominates female rivals in Minnesota
Transgender Minnesota high school softball player Marissa Rothenberger, who reportedly switched genders at 9 years old, has been fanning opponents during her junior prep season. Rothenberger is a pitcher for Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minnesota, which is located about 15 miles northwest of Minneapolis and has amassed a 5-1 record in the circle this season. Rothenberger's profile as a solid pitcher in the North Star State comes amid the ongoing debate of biological males competing in women's sports. The matter has reached a fever pitch since Donald Trump 's reinsertion as American President, with him pushing for a ban and even signed an executive order entitled: 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports'. Transgender athletes' rights have been a divisive issue for several years with swimmer Lia Thomas and volleyball star Blaire Fleming finding themselves at the heart of the fierce debate, with Rothenberger joining them. At 9, Rothenberger's mother applied in district court to alter her child's birth certificate after their ninth birthday, with the petition being approved, per Reduxx. Rothenberger was issued a new birth certificate showing to be born female, switching their name from 'Charlie Dean' to Marissa. Minnesota does not require birth certificates to be marked if they have a gender change, per Outkick, with that not standing in Marissa's way of eligibility. Trump's executive order led the NCAA to update its policy on transgender athletes in women's sports, using birth certificates to determine an athlete's gender. Rothenberger's junior-year stats heading into Champlin Park's Friday night game, which includes a 0.72 earned-run average and 59 strikeouts, while only giving up a single home run, line up with athletes who can earn college softball opportunities. Rothenberger would be eligible to continuing playing under the NCAA banner with the current policy, even if there are protests from opponents or teammates. The Trump administration is currently suing the state of Maine for not complying with his executive order, with no such action known toward Minnesota. On Thursday's episode of 'Around The Horn', panelist and former ESPN staffer Kate Fagan spoke out on the issue in favor of transgender athletes. 'Trans kids deserve to play sports,' Fagan said. 'Think about what you remember from your time playing sports and 99 percent of it is: finding that jersey for the first time, your favorite number, community, joy, those high-fives.' 'It's that moment when you have a great play with a teammate, it's the feeling of belonging and it does not know gender. Trans kids deserve that - the same as everybody else does.'
