Young Jackie Mitchell in Pitching Action

(Original Caption) Jackie Mitchell, the first woman to sign an organized baseball contract, had the honor of pitching some fast ones to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig--so fast that both stars struck out--when the New York Yankees visited Chattanooga, Tennessee. Although she was only 17 years old , she was a remarkable pitcher for her age and felt perfectly at home on the "mound." Naturally it took her a little longer to make delivery than it did a man, because she had to powder her nose and apply her lipstick. This young girl, a left-handed pitcher, possessed both speed and a wide curve. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)