Ila Borders sports journey is one of the more unique stories in recent memory. She shared some stories from her life on Tuesday as the keynote speaker at the Women's Intersport Network for Columbia Awards Luncheon.

WIN for Columbia promotes the participation of women and girls in sports and fitness. The luncheon took place at the Southwell Complex.

Borders talked about some of the early lessons she learned from her parents. She also discussed some of the obstacles and hostility she faced coming up in her baseball career. 

Borders was the first woman to ever start an NAIA or NCAA college baseball game. She spent time at Southern California College and Whittier College and was also the first woman to receive a scholarship to play college baseball.

Borders reached another milestone when she became the first woman to play for a men's professional baseball team in 1997 with the St. Paul Saints. She spent four seasons pitching in the independent leagues. 

Borders has items from her career on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Last year, she published her autobiography, "Making My Pitch: A Women's Baseball Odyssey."

To inquire about Ila Borders' speaking fees and appearance costs, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now.

Ila Borders Talks About the Beginning of Her Baseball Career: