Grand Rapids Chicks
Encyclopedia
The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball
team based in Grand Rapids
, Michigan
. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
from 1945 to 1954, winning championships in 1947 and 1953.
The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
as the Milwaukee Chicks
. Although the Chicks won the 1944 AAGPBL championship, they could not compete with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
for ticket sales, and the franchise moved to Grand Rapids. They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.
Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski
in 1945 and Alma Ziegler
in 1950. League pitching titles were won by Chicks pitchers in 1944 and 1945 by Wisniewski, Mildred Earp
in 1947, Alice Haylett
in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946-1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing
, Merle Keagle
, Doris Satterfield
, Earlene Risinger
, Eleanor Moore
, and Joyce Ricketts
.
The Chicks played their home games at South High School in Grand Rapids, with the exception of 1950-1952 when games were played at Bigelow Field in Wyoming Township. After a fire destroyed Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High School through 1954.
* Championship season
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team based in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. They played in 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:...
from 1945 to 1954, winning championships in 1947 and 1953.
The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, 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...
as the Milwaukee Chicks
Milwaukee Chicks
The Milwaukee Chicks were a women's professional baseball team which played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. They were managed by Max Carey, former star player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins and a future Hall of Famer.-History:By 1944 the...
. Although the Chicks won the 1944 AAGPBL championship, they could not compete with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
for ticket sales, and the franchise moved to Grand Rapids. They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.
Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski
Connie Wisniewski
Constance Wisniewski was a starting pitcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
in 1945 and Alma Ziegler
Alma Ziegler
Alma Ziegler was an infielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 125 lb., Ziegler batted and threw right-handed....
in 1950. League pitching titles were won by Chicks pitchers in 1944 and 1945 by Wisniewski, Mildred Earp
Mildred Earp
Mildred Earp [Mid or Millie] is a former female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 135 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
in 1947, Alice Haylett
Alice Haylett
Alice Haylett [Al or Sis] was a female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 155 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
in 1948, and Ziegler in 1950. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946-1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing
Ruth Lessing
----Ruth Elizabeth Lessing [Tex] was a female catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 128 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
, Merle Keagle
Merle Keagle
Merle Patricia Keagle was a center fielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 2", 144 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
, Doris Satterfield
Doris Satterfield
Doris L. Satterfield [Sadie] was a left and center fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right-handed....
, Earlene Risinger
Earlene Risinger
Helen Earlene Risinger was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 6' 2", 137 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
, Eleanor Moore
Eleanor Moore
Eleanor Moore [Warner] is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 10", Moore batted and threw right-handed...
, and Joyce Ricketts
Joyce Ricketts
Joyce Ricketts [״Rick״] was a right fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted left handed and threw right handed....
.
The Chicks played their home games at South High School in Grand Rapids, with the exception of 1950-1952 when games were played at Bigelow Field in Wyoming Township. After a fire destroyed Bigelow Field, the Chicks returned to South High School through 1954.
All-time players roster
- Evelyn Adams
- Isabel AlvarezIsabel ÁlvarezIsabel Álvarez [Lefty] is a former female pitcher and outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons...
- Lois BarkerLois BarkerLois Anna Barker [״Tommie״] is a former utility who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Listed at 5' 3", 130 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Charlene BarnettCharlene BarnettCharlene Barnett [″Barney″] was an infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right handed....
- Edith BarneyEdith BarneyEdith Barney [Little Red] was a female catcher who played for in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Listed at 5' 6", 136 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Mary Beschorner
- Jaynne BittnerJaynne BittnerJaynne Barrier Bittner [JB] is a former starting pitcher who played from through for four different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 9", 140 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Kay BlumettaKay BlumettaCatherine Kay Blumetta [Swish] was an utility who played for six different clubs in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons...
- Mary Butcher
- Thelma Childress
- Louise Clapp
- Donna Cook
- Patricia Courtney
- Jeanie DescombesJeanie DescombesJeneane Descombes Lesko is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 135 lb., she batted and threw left-handed...
- Mildred EarpMildred EarpMildred Earp [Mid or Millie] is a former female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 135 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Thelma EisenThelma EisenThelma Eisen [Tiby] is a former outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 130 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Lorraine FisherLorraine FisherLorraine Fisher [Stevens] was a right-handed pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.-Summary:...
- Eileen Gascon
- Jean GeissingerJean GeissingerJean Louise Geissinger-Harding [″Dutch″] is a former infielder and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for the Fort Wayne Daisies and Grand Rapids Chicks...
- Philomena Gianfrancisco
- Ann Gosbee
- Thelma Grambo
- Audrey HaineAudrey HaineAudrey Haine [Daniels] is a former pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons...
- Josephine HashamJosephine HashamJosephine Hasham [״Jo״] is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Hasham batted right handed and threw left handed....
- Alice HaylettAlice HaylettAlice Haylett [Al or Sis] was a female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 155 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Kay Heim
- Joyce HillJoyce HillJoyce E. Hill [Westerman] is a former catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 150 lb., she batted left handed and threw right handed....
- Joan Holderness
- Margaret HolgersonMargaret HolgersonMargaret Holgerson [Silvestri] was a pitcher and infielder who played from to in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right handed...
- Dottie HunterDottie HunterDorothy Hunter [Dottie] was a first basewoman who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Listed at 5' 6", Hunter batted and threw right-handed...
- Francess Janssen
- Marilyn Jenkins
- Josephine KabickJosephine KabickJosephine Kabick [Jo] was a female pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 142 lb., Kabick batted and threw right-handed...
- Merle KeagleMerle KeagleMerle Patricia Keagle was a center fielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 2", 144 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Phyllis KoehnPhyllis KoehnPhyllis C. Koehn [″Sugar″] was a pitcher and utility who played from through for six different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 120 lb., Koehn batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin.By the fall of 1942, World War II...
- Jaynie KrickJaynie KrickJaynie Krick [Red] is a former pitcher and utility infielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons. She was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed....
- Beverly Leach
- Annabelle LeeAnnabelle LeeAnnabelle Lee Harmon was a female pitcher who played from through with four different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 2", 120 lb, Lee was a switch-hitter and threw left-handed...
- Joan Lequia
- Ruth LessingRuth Lessing----Ruth Elizabeth Lessing [Tex] was a female catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 128 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Kay LionikasKay LionikasIrene Lionikas [Kay] was a female professional center fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Dorothy MaguireDorothy MaguireDorothy Maguire was a catcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Maguire batted and threw right-handed...
- Dolores MooreDolores MooreDolores Moore [″Dee″] was an infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 153 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Eleanor MooreEleanor MooreEleanor Moore [Warner] is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 10", Moore batted and threw right-handed...
- Dorothy MuellerDorothy MuellerDorothy Mueller [Bajda] was a pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 11", 160 lb., Mueller batted and threw right handed...
- Dolly Niemiec
- Marilyn Olinger
- Pepper PairePepper PaireLavonne Paire Davis [″Pepper″] is a former catcher and infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 138 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.-Overview profile:...
- Shirley Palesh
- Marguerite PearsonMarguerite PearsonMarguerite Pearson [Tesseine] was an utility who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 5", 125 lb., Pearson batted and thew right handed...
- Ernestine PetrasErnestine PetrasErnestine Petras [״Tenny״] is a former infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 125 lb., Petras batted and threw right handed...
- Betty Petrina
- Magdalen RedmanMagdalen RedmanMagdalen Redman [״Mamie״] is a former catcher and utility infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Dorice ReidDorice Reid (baseball)Dorice Reid is a former outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 140 lb., Reid batted and threw right handed. She was born in Superior, Wisconsin....
- Ruth RichardRuth RichardRuth Richard [Richie] is a former female catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 134 lb., she batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
- Joyce RickettsJoyce RickettsJoyce Ricketts [״Rick״] was a right fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted left handed and threw right handed....
- Earlene RisingerEarlene RisingerHelen Earlene Risinger was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 6' 2", 137 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Mary Rountree
- Doris SatterfieldDoris SatterfieldDoris L. Satterfield [Sadie] was a left and center fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right-handed....
- Gloria Schweigerdt
- Twila ShivelyTwila ShivelyTwila Shively [″Twi″] was an outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 128 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Coleen Smith
- Helen SmithHelen Smith (baseball)Helen Smith [Gig] is a former utility infielder who played briefly in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right-handed.Smith was born and grew up in Richmond, Virginia...
- Jean SmithJean Smith (baseball)Jean Marie Smith was an outfielder and relief pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 128...
- Barbara Sowers
- Rosemary Stevenson
- Jane StollJane StollJane Stoll was an outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 2", 135 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Dorothy StolzeDorothy StolzeDorothy Stolze [Dottie] was a second basewoman who played from through for four different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Ruby Stoyovich
- Mary Lou StudnickaMary Lou StudnickaMary Lou Studnicka [Brazauskas, Caden] is a former overhand pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Studnicka batted and threw right-handed. She was affectively nicknamed ML....
- Yolande Teillet
- Doris TetzlaffDoris TetzlaffDoris Tetzlaff [″Tetz″] was an infielder and chaperone in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5'5", 155 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Betty TuckerBetty TuckerElizabeth Tucker [Betty] is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 123 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Joan Tysver
- Karen Violetta
- Inez VoyceInez VoyceInez Ferne Voyce [Lefty] is a former first basewoman who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Betty Wanless
- Marie WegmanMarie WegmanMarie Wegman was an utility infielder/outfielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 130 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Margaret Wenzell
- Betty WhitingBetty WhitingElizabeth Jane Whiting was a utility who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5'6", 147 lb., Whiting batted and threw right handed...
- Elizabeth WickenElizabeth WickenElizabeth Ann Wicken [nee Berthiaume] was a Canadian outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 2", 115 lb., Wicken batted and threw left handed....
- Elsie Wingrove
- Connie WisniewskiConnie WisniewskiConstance Wisniewski was a starting pitcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Renae YoungbergRenae YoungbergRenae Audrey Youngberg [Ray] is a former third basewoman who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the and season...
- Alma ZieglerAlma ZieglerAlma Ziegler was an infielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 125 lb., Ziegler batted and threw right-handed....
- Marie Ziegler
Managers
| * Benny Meyer Benny Meyer Bernhard Meyer born in Hematite, Missouri, was a baseball outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Baltimore Terrapins , Buffalo Blues and Philadelphia Phillies .... |
1945 |
| * Johnny Rawlings Johnny Rawlings John William Rawlings [Red] was a second baseman and shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for six different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5'8", 158 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.... |
1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 |
| * Mitch Skupien Mitch Skupien Mitch Skupien was a manager and executive in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.Very little is known about this man who worked hard for the AAGPBL during the final five years of its existence. Previously, Skupien had managed the Rayson Sporting Goods, a Chicago baseball team, and... |
1951 |
| * Woody English Woody English Elwood George "Woody" English was an American shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for twelve seasons with the Chicago Cubs and the Brooklyn Dodgers.- Early life :... |
1952 1953 1954 |
Season-by-season records
- 1945: 60-50
- 1946: 71-41
- 1947: 65-47 *
- 1948: 77-47
- 1949: 57-54
- 1950: 59-53
- 1951: 71-35
- 1952: 50-60
- 1953: 62-44 *
- 1954: 46-45
* Championship season