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A Donald Trump-appointed judge has caused controversy after throwing out a case surrounding a transgender softball pitcher in Minnesota.
The pitcher is said to have dominated girl's softball in the state, leading Champlin Park High School to a state championship and allowing just two runs across 35 innings during the season.
That resulted in three anonymous female athletes filing a lawsuit against several Minnesota officials, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett.
However, the case was reportedly thrown out by Trump-appointed US District Judge Eric Tostrud on September 19 - much to the chagrin of the anonymous plaintiffs.
'This is so upsetting. I honestly don't think it's fair that this is still going on,' one told Fox News Digital.
'I really hoped the court would order it to stop immediately, and now it just feels super frustrating, not only for those affected now but for all the girls it could affect,' she said.
Champlin Park High School won a state softball title with the help of a transgender pitcher
A lawsuit surrounding the issue was thrown out by a Trump-appointed judge in Minnesota
According to stats cited by Fox News Digital, the trans player threw a complete-game shutout in the championship game this year.
'Hitting against him is not only a physical challenge but a mental, too. It's a mental battle knowing that he has an advantage in the sport that I grew up playing, making it hard to even want to hit against him,' one of the plaintiffs told the outlet.
'His ability to get outs and spin the ball is a strong advantage, but, like I said, it's also incredibly mentally challenging knowing that you're competing against someone who has unfair advantages leaving you with little to no confidence.'
'This issue has affected me in ways that I never imagined. It's simply unfair, and I hate that nothing is happening to change that. Boys should not be able to take girls' spots on teams just because they are capable of doing so. I hope that more girls affected by this issue will stand up against this.'
The president signed an executive order in February 'keeping men out of women's sports' and banning trans athletes from competing in women's divisions.
Minnesota initially said it would not follow the new rule, with Ellison deciding to sue the Department of Justice. However, the Department of Education later launched two investigations into the state over the matter.
US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon later criticized the state ’s 'continued indifference to females’ civil rights' as one of the investigations was considered a Title IX (sex-based discrimination) matter.
Trump holds up a signed executive order banning transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has admitted he doesn't think it's fair for trans athletes to compete in women's sports
Nonetheless, Minnesota is not the only state to have defied the Trump administration's ruling on transgender athletes.
Trans athletes have continued to compete in California, leading the Trump administration to sue the state in June.
There was fierce backlash in the state when a transgender athlete claimed gold in the high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation state finals at the end of May.
Trump has also clashed with Maine, as he had a run-in with Democratic governor Janet Mills back in February.
During a White House meeting, she told Trump 'see you in court' over his threat to withdraw federal funding if Maine did not comply with his trans sports ban.
Maine was also sued by Trump's administration over its refusal to ban transgender athletes, though the two parties settled in May.
