QGirls and Baseball

My daughter has been playing baseball since she was five. She now plays both Little League and competitve travel ball, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that she is a very good catcher who is hitting probably a little over .300 in the lead-off slot. However, as good as she is, she is twelve now, and getting nearer to high school. It is very rare to see girls playing high school baseball. The school she will be attending has a good softball program, and though I've tried to discuss it with her, she insists on continuing with baseball. She's dealt with a lot of ridicule, something that can be expected when a girl plays baseball, but I don't want to hear more of it in high school. Should I continue to allow her to play baseball?

AThis is a question loaded with issues regarding political correctness, accessibility and equality. Ultimately, though, it is about her life. And if she wants the challenge and can handle the hassles then she will be a better person for it. On the other hand, she should not look at fastpitch softball as a lesser sport - it is every bit as challenging at the highest levels. The Olympics proved that. Besides, for girls right now, softball is one of the best ways to get a college scholarship. (It is very unlikely she would have a chance at a college scholarship for baseball - the fairness/equality push that has created so many college opportunities for girls athletics has also pretty much guaranteed that girls may be excluded from boys sports for the foreseeable future.)