Annastasia Batikis
Encyclopedia
Annastasia Batikis [Stash] (b. March 15, 1927) is a former female center fielder
who played for the Racine Belles
of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
during the season. Listed at 4' 11", 125 lb., she batted and threw left-handed
.
, Wisconsin
to Greek-American parents, Batikis was one of three descendants of Greek migrants to play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, being the others Kay Lionikas
and Vickie Panos
. She had two brothers – Alex S., who served in the United States Navy
from 1943 to 1946, and John. She first got interested in playing baseball as a young girl in third grade while watching men play baseball on the playgrounds. When she got older she joined the Recreation Department League and played softball
. She and her high school friends would go out to games where the Racine Belles played and watch in awe the women who played so well.
At 18 years of age and in her senior year in high school, Batikis tried out at the Historic Horlick Field
where the Belles played and made the cut. She was then send to spring training
in Chicago
, where she got a contract with the Racine team of her home town. At that time only one other women in the league played for her home town. She believed that playing ball gave her the opportunity to travel, meet all kinds of neat people - helped with self confidence.
Batikis played for one season because she left the following year to attend college at La Crosse, Wisconsin
. She appeared in five games and went hitless in 11 at-bat opportunities.
After her career as a professional baseball player ended, Batikis went on to get a teaching position, working in the educational department for 35 years. She did a significant amount of volunteer work for clubs, churches, ballteams, civic groups to give talks about the League she played in. She also attended Northwestern University
.
The AAGPBL folded in 1954, but there is now a permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York
since November 5, that honors those who were part of this unique experience. Batikis, along with the rest of the league's girls, is now enshrined in the Hall.
In 2002, Batikis was added to Milwaukees Walls of Honor, which salutes Wisconsin's baseball history greats. She is also in the Hall of Fame at her old college University of Wisconsin–Madison
for being a pioneer for women in professional baseball. In addition, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Washington Park Hall High School in 1987, joining her brother John, who was inducted in 1976.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
who played for the Racine Belles
Racine Belles
The Racine Belles were one of the original teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League playing from through out of Racine, Wisconsin. The team played its home games at Horlick Field.-History:...
of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
during the season. Listed at 4' 11", 125 lb., she batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
Career
A native of RacineRacine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
to Greek-American parents, Batikis was one of three descendants of Greek migrants to play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, being the others Kay Lionikas
Kay Lionikas
Irene Lionikas [Kay] was a female professional center fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
and Vickie Panos
Vickie Panos
Vickie Panos is a former outfielder who played for two different teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 120 lb., Panos batted left-handed and threw left-handed...
. She had two brothers – Alex S., who served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1943 to 1946, and John. She first got interested in playing baseball as a young girl in third grade while watching men play baseball on the playgrounds. When she got older she joined the Recreation Department League and played softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
. She and her high school friends would go out to games where the Racine Belles played and watch in awe the women who played so well.
At 18 years of age and in her senior year in high school, Batikis tried out at the Historic Horlick Field
Historic Horlick Field
Horlick Field, located on the north side of Racine, Wisconsin, in the United States, is an 8,500 seat football stadium and a baseball park enclosed within stone walls and chain fences. The land for the field was donated by William Horlick, the inventor of malted milk...
where the Belles played and made the cut. She was then send to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, where she got a contract with the Racine team of her home town. At that time only one other women in the league played for her home town. She believed that playing ball gave her the opportunity to travel, meet all kinds of neat people - helped with self confidence.
Batikis played for one season because she left the following year to attend college at La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
. She appeared in five games and went hitless in 11 at-bat opportunities.
After her career as a professional baseball player ended, Batikis went on to get a teaching position, working in the educational department for 35 years. She did a significant amount of volunteer work for clubs, churches, ballteams, civic groups to give talks about the League she played in. She also attended Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
.
The AAGPBL folded in 1954, but there is now a permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
since November 5, that honors those who were part of this unique experience. Batikis, along with the rest of the league's girls, is now enshrined in the Hall.
In 2002, Batikis was added to Milwaukees Walls of Honor, which salutes Wisconsin's baseball history greats. She is also in the Hall of Fame at her old college University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
for being a pioneer for women in professional baseball. In addition, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Washington Park Hall High School in 1987, joining her brother John, who was inducted in 1976.
Personal quotes
- Her advice for young women who want to become pro ballplayers: If you have a dream - work at it. Don't give up. Play hard - listen to your coaches.
- ...I never dreamed I would make it, but I did. Seeing my name on the list of gals that made the team was my biggest thrill.
Sources
- All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Record Book – W. C. Madden. Publisher: McFarland & Company. Format: Paperback, 294pp. Language: English. ISBN 0786437472 ISBN 9780786437474