South Bend Blue Sox
Encyclopedia
The South Bend Blue Sox were a women's professional baseball team who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
. A founding member, the team represented South Bend, Indiana
and played their home games at Bendix Field (1943–1945) and Playland Park (1946–1954).
The Blue Sox were one of two teams to play in every AAGPBL season, the other being the Rockford Peaches
. Often a second-division team, they appeared in six playoff series and won two league titles.
In 1943, The Blue Sox finished in third place with a 51-40 mark, only .001 percentage point behind second place Kenosha Comets
. Together, pitcher
s Margaret Berger
and Doris Barr
threw 79 of the 91 games played by the Sox. Berger was credited with 25 wins and Barr with 15, while Berger posted her greatest triumph in a 13-inning match, which she won 1-0.
The next three years, South Bend finished 64-55 (1944), 49-60 (1945), 70-42 (1946), 57-54 (1947) and 57-59 (1948). After falling in their playoff intents, the team posted the best record in 1949 with a 75-36 mark. That year they were swept in the playoffs, 4-to-0, by Rockford, after getting a first-round bye along with them. The South Bend club went on to win their next four playoffs in claiming back-to-back league titles in 1951 and 1952. After that, the Blue Sox finished in last place both in the 1953 and 1954 seasons.
Apart of the aforementioned Barr and Berger, the South Bend included talented players as Bonnie Baker
(C
), Jean Faut
(P
) Betsy Jochum
(OF
/1B
), Elizabeth Mahon
(OF), Betty Whiting
(IF
), and Dottie Schroeder (SS
), who played with four different teams to become the only girl to play through the 12 years of existence of the circuit.
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:...
. A founding member, the team represented South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
and played their home games at Bendix Field (1943–1945) and Playland Park (1946–1954).
The Blue Sox were one of two teams to play in every AAGPBL season, the other being the Rockford Peaches
Rockford Peaches
The Rockford Peaches were a team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League playing out of Rockford, Illinois for the entire existence of the league from 1943 to 1954....
. Often a second-division team, they appeared in six playoff series and won two league titles.
In 1943, The Blue Sox finished in third place with a 51-40 mark, only .001 percentage point behind second place Kenosha Comets
Kenosha Comets
Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kenosha Comets were a women's professional baseball team that played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The team played their home games at Kenosha's Lake Front Stadium, but later moved to Simmons Field.The Kenosha Comets were one...
. Together, 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...
s Margaret Berger
Margaret Berger
Margaret Berger is an electropop singer and songwriter. She made her debut on Sony BMG after she placed second on the second season of Norwegian Idol....
and Doris Barr
Doris Barr
Doris Barr [Dodie] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 145 lb., Barr batted and threw left-handed...
threw 79 of the 91 games played by the Sox. Berger was credited with 25 wins and Barr with 15, while Berger posted her greatest triumph in a 13-inning match, which she won 1-0.
The next three years, South Bend finished 64-55 (1944), 49-60 (1945), 70-42 (1946), 57-54 (1947) and 57-59 (1948). After falling in their playoff intents, the team posted the best record in 1949 with a 75-36 mark. That year they were swept in the playoffs, 4-to-0, by Rockford, after getting a first-round bye along with them. The South Bend club went on to win their next four playoffs in claiming back-to-back league titles in 1951 and 1952. After that, the Blue Sox finished in last place both in the 1953 and 1954 seasons.
Apart of the aforementioned Barr and Berger, the South Bend included talented players as Bonnie Baker
Bonnie Baker
Mary Geraldine Baker, née George was an all-star catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 to 1952.-Career:...
(C
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
), Jean Faut
Jean Faut
Jean Anna Faut [Winsch/Eastman] is a former female starting pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 137 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
(P
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...
) Betsy Jochum
Betsy Jochum
Betsy Jochum [″Sockum″] is a former outfielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 140 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.-Overview profile:...
(OF
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
/1B
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
), Elizabeth Mahon
Elizabeth Mahon
Elizabeth B. Mahon [″Lib″] was a female outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 135 lb., Mahon batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.-Early life:Lib Mahon was one of six children of David...
(OF), Betty Whiting
Betty Whiting
Elizabeth 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...
(IF
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
), and Dottie Schroeder (SS
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
), who played with four different teams to become the only girl to play through the 12 years of existence of the circuit.
All-time roster
- Ellen AhrndtEllen AhrndtEllen Ahrndt [Babe] was a second basewoman who played briefly in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Ahrndt batted and threw right-handed...
- Amy Irene Applegren
- Charlotte ArmstrongCharlotte Armstrong (baseball)Charlotte T. Armstrong [née: Lubman] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 145 lb., Armstrong batted and threw right-handed...
- Louise ArnoldLouise Arnold (baseball)Louise Veronica Arnold [Lou] was a female pitcher who played during four seasons for the South Bend Blue Sox of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 145 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a circuit...
- Bonnie BakerBonnie BakerMary Geraldine Baker, née George was an all-star catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943 to 1952.-Career:...
- Phyllis BakerPhyllis BakerPhyllis J. Baker [Wise] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Doris BarrDoris BarrDoris Barr [Dodie] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 145 lb., Barr batted and threw left-handed...
- Mary BaumgartnerMary BaumgartnerMary Baumgartner [Wimp] is a former female catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Catherine BennettCatherine BennettCatherine Bennett was a female Canadian pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Margaret BergerMargaret Berger (baseball)Margaret Eloise Berger [″Sonny″] is a former pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 129 lb., she batted and threw right-handed. Her younger sister, Norma Berger, also played in the league.The AAGPBL changed women's team sports...
- Nalda BirdNalda BirdNalda Marie Bird [Phillips] was a starting pitcher and outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Listed at 5' 1", 115 lb., Bird batted right-handed and threw left-handed. She was affectively nicknamed ״Birdie״...
- 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....
- Audrey Bleiler
- Ruth Born
- Rita BriggsRita BriggsRita Briggs [Maud] was a female catcher who played from through for seven different teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 120 lb., Briggs batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
- Wilma BriggsWilma BriggsWilma Briggs [Briggsie] is a former female left fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 138 lb., she batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
- Delores Brumfield
- Arlene Buszka
- Marge CallaghanMarge CallaghanMargaret Callaghan Maxwell was an infielder who played from 1944-1951 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 112 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Mary Carey
- Virginia Carver
- Betty Carveth
- Bea Chester
- Dorothy Christ
- Louise Clapp
- Muriel Coben
- Donna Cook
- Doris Cook
- Peggy Cramer
- Idona Crigler
- Josephine D'Angelo
- Nancy DeShone
- Maxine Drinkwater
- Gertrude DunnGertrude DunnGertrude Dunn was an American baseball player with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the league made famous by the 1992 movie A League Of Their Own. She played shortstop on two teams, the Battle Creek Belles and the South Bend Blue Sox, and was named "Rookie of the Year" in . ...
- Lillian FarallaLillian FarallaLillian Faralla [Lil] is a former female pitcher and utility who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right-handed.-A brief history:...
- Jean FautJean FautJean Anna Faut [Winsch/Eastman] is a former female starting pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 137 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Peggy Fenton
- Helen FilarskiHelen FilarskiHelen Filarski [Steffes] is a former infielder and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 2", 125 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Lois FlorreichLois FlorreichKathleen Lois Florreich [Flash] was a pitcher and utility who played from through for three different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 140 lb., Florreich batted and threw right-handed...
- Betty FrancisBetty FrancisBetty Francis [″BF″] is a former outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Mary Froning
- Rose GaciochRose GaciochRose M. Gacioch [gay'-sotch] was a right fielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 160 lb., Gacioch batted and threw right-handed...
- Barbara Galdonik
- Gertrude Ganote
- Ann Garman
- Mary Lou Graham
- Johanna HagemanJohanna HagemanJohanna Hageman [Hargraves] was a first base player and chaperone in 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....
- Esther Hershey
- 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....
- Barbara HoffmanBarbara HoffmanBarbara Hoffman is a former infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 133 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Mary Holda
- Mabel Holle
- Marjorie Hood
- Marion Hosbein
- Betsy JochumBetsy JochumBetsy Jochum [″Sockum″] is a former outfielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 140 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.-Overview profile:...
- Daisy Junor
- Jackie KelleyJackie KelleyJacqueline Kelley [née Savage] was an utility infielder/outfielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 140 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Beatrice Kemmerer
- Evelyn Keppel
- Glenna Sue Kidd
- Shirley Kleinhams
- Dolores Klosowski
- 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....
- Marie Kruckel
- Anna Kunkel
- Margie Lang
- Josephine LenardJosephine LenardVeronica Josephine Lenard [″Bubblegum″] was a center fielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 130 lb., she batted and threw right-handed....
- Mary Lou Lester
- Lillian Luckey
- Betty LunaBetty LunaBetty Luna [Hill] a pitcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 133 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Esther Lyman
- Lucella MacLeanLucella MacLeanLucella MacLean [Ross] is a former utility who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right handed....
- Elizabeth MahonElizabeth MahonElizabeth B. Mahon [″Lib″] was a female outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 135 lb., Mahon batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.-Early life:Lib Mahon was one of six children of David...
- Marie Mahoney
- Lenora Mandella
- Theda MarshallTheda MarshallTheda Marshall was a first basewoman who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 133 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Betty Jean McFadden
- Bernice Metesch
- Norma Metrolis
- Darlene Mickelsen
- Dolores Mueller
- 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...
- Dorothy NaumDorothy NaumDorothy Mary Naum [Parker] was a catcher, infielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 112 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Helen Nordquist
- Joanne Ogden
- Vickie PanosVickie PanosVickie 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...
- 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...
- Pauline PirokPauline PirokPauline Pirok [pier-ock] is a former infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 2", 132 lb., Pirok batted and threw right-handed. She earned the nickname Pinky Pirok....
- Charlene PryerCharlene PryerCharlene Barbara Pryer [Mayer] was a female utility in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, playing mainly at second base and center field from through . Listed at 5' 1", 105 lb., Pryer batted and threw right-handed...
- Jenny RomatowskiJenny RomatowskiJenniffer A. Romatowski [″Romey″] is a former utility who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5'4", 145 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.-A brief history:...
- Elaine RothElaine RothElaine Roth [E] was a female pitcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Janet RumseyJanet RumseyJanet Jeree Rumsey was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 8", 135 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Dorothy Sawyer
- Violet Schmidt
- Dorothy SchroederDorothy SchroederDorothy Schroeder [″Dottie″] was a shortstop who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 150 lb., Schroeder batted and threw right-handed...
- Geraldine Shafranis
- Kay Sopkovic
- Margaret StefaniMargaret StefaniMargaret Stefani [Marge] was an infielder and chaperone in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.-Summary:...
- Ruby StephensRuby StephensRuby Lee Stephens [Stevie] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- 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....
- Shirley StovroffShirley StovroffShirley Stovroff [Stovie] was a catcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Stovroff batted and threw right-handed...
- Anne Surkowski
- Lee Surkowski
- Viola Thompson
- Betty TrezzaBetty TrezzaBetty Trezza [″Moe″] was an American professional baseball player. An infield and outfield utility, she played from through for four different teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League....
- Ellen Tronnier
- Dolly Vanderlip
- Georgette Vincent
- Inez VoyceInez VoyceInez Ferne Voyce [Lefty] is a former first basewoman who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Betty WagonerBetty WagonerBetty Ann Wagoner was a right fielder and pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
- Betty Wanless
- Margaret Wenzell
- Dorothy Whalen
- 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...
- Norma Whitney
- Janet Wiley
- Ruth WilliamsRuth WilliamsRuth Williams [Heverly] was a pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 139 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
- Senaida WirthSenaida WirthSenaida Wirth [Shoo-Shoo] was a shortstop who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 0", 114 lb., Wirth batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Tampa, Florida....
- 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...
- Lois YoungenLois YoungenLois Joy Youngen is a former catcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 137 lb., she batted and threw right handed...
Managers
| * Bert Niehoff Bert Niehoff John Albert Niehoff was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for four different clubs between the and seasons... |
1943 1944 |
| * Marty McManus Marty McManus Martin Joseph "Marty" McManus was a Major League Baseball infielder who played principally as a second baseman and third baseman .-St. Louis Browns: 1920-1926:... |
1945 |
| * Chet Grant Chet Grant Donald Chester Grant was an American football player, coach and sportswriter.... |
1946 1947 |
| * Marty McManus Marty McManus Martin Joseph "Marty" McManus was a Major League Baseball infielder who played principally as a second baseman and third baseman .-St. Louis Browns: 1920-1926:... |
1948 |
| * Dave Bancroft Dave Bancroft David James "Beauty" Bancroft was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1930. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.... |
1948 1949 1950 |
| * Karl Winsch Karl Winsch Karl Edgar Winsch was a pitcher and manager in Minor league baseball. Listed at 5' 10", 180 lb., Winsch batted and threw right-handed.... |
1951 1952 1953 1954 |
Sources
- All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Record Book – W. C. Madden. Publisher: McFarland & Company. Format: Paperback, 294pp. Language: English. ISBN 0786437472. ISBN 9780786437474