RIP to Jean Faut, one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and the only professional pitcher to throw two perfect games. Faut, 98, died on February 28 in the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, S.C. Faut played for the South Bend Blue Sox from … Continue reading Obituary: Jean Faut (1925-2023)
RIP to Katie Vonderau, who spent eight years as a catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and was an All-Star at the position. After her career ended, Dr. Kathryn Vondreau earned multiple degrees and taught and coached at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for more than 20 years. She died on August 10 at … Continue reading Obituary: Kathryn Vonderau (1927-2022)
RIP to Shirley Burkovich, who took a career in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and turned it into a lifelong passion to let girls and women play baseball. She died on March 31 at the age of 89. Burkovich played for the Muskegon Lassies (1949), Chicago Colleens (1950), Springfield Sallies (1950) and Rockford Peaches … Continue reading Obituary: Shirley Burkovich (1933-2022)
RIP to Helen Nicol “Nickie” Fox, the winningest pitcher in the history of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. A Scottsdale, Arizona, resident, she died on July 25 at the age of 101. Fox, who also holds the AAGPBL record for career strikeouts, played for the Kenosha Comets (1943-47) and Rockford Peaches (1947-52). Helen … Continue reading Obituary: Helen Nicol Fox (1920-2021)
RIP to Joyce (Hill) Westerman, a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 until 1952. She died on January 18 at the age of 95, with her family by her side. Westerman played for the Grand Rapids Chicks (1945), Fort Wayne Daisies (1946), South Bend Blue Sox (1946, 1952), Peoria Redwings (1947-48, … Continue reading Obituary: Joyce (Hill) Westerman (1925-2021)
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League is justifiably honored for being the first (and to date only) professional women's baseball league in the United States. Formed during World War II, it lasted, in one form or another, into the 1950s. The women who played are baseball pioneers who lived in obscurity for far too long. … Continue reading A league of their own… in 1905
RIP to Dolores "Dolly" Brumfield White, who was the Joe Nuxhall of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She started as a 15-year-old in the AAGPBL and spent seven seasons in the league. Her death was announced on May 29 -- she had just celebrated her 88th birthday three days prior. White played for the … Continue reading Obituary: Delores Brumfield White (1932-2020)
RIP to Mary Pratt, believed to be the last surviving member of the inaugural Rockford Peaches. She died on May 6 at the age of 101. The southpaw pitcher played for the Rockford Peaches (1943-44, 1946-47) and Kenosha Comets (1944-45). Thanks to one of my readers, who directed me to the Patriot Ledger, which had … Continue reading Obituary: Mary Pratt (1918-2020)
RIP to Ruth Born, a pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She died in Valparaiso, Ind., on March 10 at the age of 94. Born was a pitcher for the South Bend Blue Sox in the team's (and the league's) inaugural season of 1943. Source: The Times (Muenster, Ind.), February 7. 2006 Ruth … Continue reading Obituary: Ruth Born (1925-2020)
RIP to Marilyn "Jenks" Jenkins, who started as a batgirl for the Grand Rapids Chicks of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and ended up as the team's catcher for three seasons. She died on February 7 at the age of 85. Jenkins played for the Chicks from 1952-1954. Source: AAGPBL (Since there was relatively … Continue reading Obituary: Marilyn Jenkins (1934-2020)
RIP Baseball 