HOCKLEY, Texas—
When it comes to playing fantasy league baseball, this mother and daughter duo from Texas are gearing up for a huge event in April. 39 News learned about the two teaming up for a world-wide competition once Major League Baseball's opening day begins.Martha Mitchell and her daughter, Jennifer Daschel, are getting ready for the 2010 Bloomberg baseball challenge.
"We're the only females in this event," said Mitchell.
And they're the only Texans competing too.
"I had seen a blog where they said that there was going to be a contest to pick the six fans, and I filled out an application, or wrote a paragraph, telling them why I thought we should do it," Mitchell said. "And wound up getting picked."
They were selected as one of six fans to go up against a panel of experts, one of which includes Harold Reynolds of Major League Baseball.com. Aside of the competition, Martha and Jennifer are an example of how popular fantasy league baseball is becoming among women.
"It's starting to pick up," said Mitchell. "There are a lot of females that are starting to participate in this."
"The first thing you get up in the morning and do is check your fantasy team, (and) make sure no one, you know, woke up sick with the flu," said Daschel. When it comes to doing their baseball homework, Martha and Jennifer have all the tools they need.
"Now, we're pretty much obsessed," admitted Mitchell.
If you don't play fantasy league sports, they can be very time consuming. A football fantasy league is one thing. But participating in fantasy league baseball is a challenge.
"Baseball's every day, and every team plays every day, almost," said Mitchell.
As Martha and Jennifer get ready to face the experts, you have to wonder how many Houston Astros will be in their fantasy league line-up?
"If you've got the Astros third baseman on your team, you're probably in trouble," said Mitchell laughing.
Okay, the ladies admit they try and root for the Astros, "but, they do make it difficult," said Mitchell. "They certainly don't manage the team the way we would manage the team, but then, you know, who does? They make it hard."
This Texas mother and her daughter say they have no doubt they're walking away with bragging rights after this season long fantasy league baseball competition.
"That's the plan yeah. That's the goal," Daschel said about winning the 2010 Bloomberg baseball challenge.
