Sports photographer and Sony Artisan Jean Fruth’s latest film project, “See Her Be Her,” a documentary on women’s baseball around the globe, will premiere on the MLB Network between Games 2 and 3 of the 2024 World Series, on Sunday, Oct 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET /5:00 p.m. PT. The film, directed and produced by Fruth, features women’s baseball around the world, following the lives of seven star players at the pinnacle of their game who are forging a path forward for future generations of female athletes.
The documentary aims to shatter stereotypes and highlight the players’ fight for gender equality for all female athletes. The film shows the intense battle for the World Cup Championship, and features female baseball stars representing the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, South Korea, Cuba and Uganda.
"I don’t know if I chose these women, or if they chose me," says Fruth. "They are breaking down barriers in sports and in the world, while the world is telling them, 'No you can’t, no you shouldn’t, no you won’t.' They are unsung sheroes who are paving the way for the next generation of women athletes, women baseball players. Some of them don’t even realize the impact they are making for others."
The film is co-produced by Jeff Idelson, former president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, with sports icon and equality champion Billie Jean King serving as an executive producer. "In addition to being one of the greatest tennis players in history, she is one of the biggest advocates of gender equity in women’s sports," says Fruth. "The excitement from so many people, organizations, baseball greats and women advocates around the world who want to help promote it, have it shown in their countries, and want to get involved, has been the best."
The documentary and its message features support from many of the baseball greats. "Hall of famers Cal Ripken, Jr., Tony Pérez and Ferguson Jenkins, as well as retired greats Ichiro Suzuki, Jimmy Rollins and Chan Ho Park all have connections to the women’s game and support it in their respective countries," Fruth explains. "They have all contributed to this film and want to see the women’s game grow around the world. In addition to these legends who star in our film, we have had the support of other baseball stars who have helped spread the word – from Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr. , who was the first to sign on to our project, to retired major leaguers Dallas Braden, Ed Sprague, Dennis Powell and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield who attended screenings. We are grateful to all of them."
"My hopes," explains Fruth, "are that See Her Be Her not only empowers women to achieve greatness, but for someone watching to realize that if they see her, they can also dream to one day be her. That this film raises awareness about women’s baseball and creates more opportunities for girls and women to play the game, that See Her Be Her helps advance gender equity worldwide and that this film is seen by millions of girls and women around the globe."
Purchase your copy of See Her Be Her, the book HERE.
The documentary also has a companion piece featuring Fruth's photographer – See Her Be Her, the book. Purchase your copy HERE.
Learn more about the film at grassrootsbaseball.org/seeherbeher and catch its premiere on the MLB Network on Sunday, Oct 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET /5:00 p.m. PT.
