William Jefferson "Little Bill" Sowders (November 29, 1864-February 2, 1951) was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher

Pitcher

In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...

 over parts of three seasons (1888–1890) with the Boston Beaneaters

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

 and Pittsburg Alleghenys

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...

. For his career, he compiled a 29-30 record in 71 appearances, with a 3.34 earned run average

Earned run average

In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...

 and 205 strikeout

Strikeout

In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....

s.

Sowders was born in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...

 and later died in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...

 at the age of 86. Two of his brothers, John Sowders

John Sowders

John Sowders was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of three seasons in the majors, between and , for the Indianapolis Hoosiers, Kansas City Cowboys and Brooklyn Ward's Wonders. Sowders was the brother of fellow major leaguers Bill and Len Sowders.-Sources:...

 and Len Sowders

Len Sowders

Leonard Sowders , was a Major League Baseball player who played outfielder. He played for the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association during the 1886 season. His brothers Bill and John also played professional baseball.-External links:...

, also played Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

.