Stuff You Missed in History Class: SYMHC Classics - All American Girls Professional Baseball League

Hosts: Holly Fry & Tracy B. Wilson
Released: May 17, 2025
Publisher: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Fry and Tracy B. Wilson delve deep into the fascinating history of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Celebrating its inception on May 17, 1943, the episode explores the league's origins, operations, social impact, and enduring legacy.

Origins and Founding

The AAGPBL was established during World War II as a response to the potential disruption of Major League Baseball (MLB) caused by the enlistment of male players. Philip K. Wrigley, heir to the Wrigley Chewing Gum fortune and owner of the Chicago Cubs, recognized an opportunity to keep baseball in the public eye while supporting the war effort.

“By 1943, when this league was founded, baseball was considered both the national pastime in the United States and a man's game,” Holly Fry explains (02:35).

On February 17, 1943, Wrigley and Ken Sells announced the creation of the All American Girls Softball League, aiming to recruit talented women from existing softball teams across the country. Initial recruitment efforts led to 60 players being selected for the inaugural 1943 season, albeit excluding black women due to the era's prevalent segregation (16:11).

League Structure and Operations

Originally a non-profit organization, the league was managed by trustees including Philip Wrigley, Paul Harvey, and Branch Rickey. Wrigley personally invested about $250,000 to kickstart the league, ensuring it had substantial financial backing in its nascent stages.

“The league's setup was significantly different from Major League Baseball or most other leagues at the time,” Tracy Wilson notes (18:30). Player contracts were centrally owned by the league rather than individual teams, standardizing salaries and preventing bidding wars. Players earned between $45 and $85 per week—a considerable sum compared to alternative employment options like factory work.

The league comprised four teams in its first season:

• Rockford Peaches (Illinois)
• South Bend Blue Sox (Indiana)
• Racine Belles (Wisconsin)
• Kenosha Comets (Wisconsin)

These teams were strategically located near major cities to facilitate travel and conserve resources during wartime rationing.

Code of Conduct and Image

Maintaining a feminine image was paramount for the league, aiming to appeal to a broad, middle-class audience while combating stereotypes about women athletes.

“The league went to great lengths to reinforce the idea that these players weren't just women, they were ladies,” Holly Fry emphasizes (21:20). This was achieved through:

• Uniforms: Designed by Wrigley’s wife, Ada, featuring pastel-colored tunics with flared skirts, satin shorts, and knee socks. These were inspired by women’s figure skating and tennis attire.

• Code of Conduct: Players were required to adhere to strict guidelines, including:

  • Mandatory lipstick at all times.
  • No bobbed hair, smoking, or drinking.
  • No fraternizing with members of other teams.
  • Dress codes requiring skirts when in public, despite wearing trousers on the bus for comfort.

These measures aimed to portray the players as patriotic, wholesome, and heterosexual, distancing them from negative stereotypes prevalent at the time.

Growth and Challenges

Following a successful 1943 season, which concluded with the Racine Belles defeating the Kenosha Comets in the championship, the league expanded to six teams in 1944. However, managing the league proved challenging. In 1944, Wrigley sold the league to Arthur Meyerhoff for $10,000, transitioning it from a non-profit to a for-profit entity.

Under Meyerhoff’s leadership, the league sought to make the game more akin to men's baseball by introducing changes such as:

• Smaller, harder balls
• Overhand pitching by 1948
• Longer infield distances

Despite these efforts, attendance began to wane post-war as societal needs shifted and MLB regained its prominence.

“As attendance started to fall off in 1948, Meyerhoff embarked on some ambitious plans to try to revive the league,” Tracy Wilson recounts (33:23).

Internal friction also arose as team owners objected to revenue-sharing strategies, leading to financial strains that the league struggled to overcome.

Decline and Legacy

By 1954, the league had dissolved after enduring numerous financial and societal challenges. Throughout its 11-year existence, approximately 600 women from the United States, Canada, and Cuba played in the league, contributing significantly to women’s sports history.

Despite its dissolution, the league left a lasting legacy:

• Educational Advancement: Many players used their earnings to pursue higher education, with around 35% graduating from college—significantly higher than the average female population of the time.

• Cultural Impact: The league's story was immortalized in the 1992 film A League of Their Own, which brought widespread recognition to these pioneering women athletes.

“When the women's liberation movement started in the 1960s and 70s, historians and other researchers started unearthing the league's history,” Holly Fry observes (37:17).

In 1988, their contributions were honored with the Women in Baseball exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, solidifying their place in sports history.

Cultural Impact and Recognition

The resurgence of interest in the AAGPBL during the late 20th century led to reunions, documentaries, and scholarly research that helped preserve the league's history. Notable works include:

• Documentary “A League of Their Own” aired on public television in 1987.
• The playoffs and player stories were documented in numerous historical archives and museums.
• "A Secret Love" documentary highlights personal relationships within the league, showcasing the human side of these athletes (39:13).

The establishment of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association has ensured that the stories of these trailblazing women continue to inspire future generations.

Conclusion

The All American Girls Professional Baseball League was more than just a wartime substitute for men's baseball; it was a groundbreaking movement that challenged gender norms and paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Through dedication, resilience, and a commitment to maintaining a dignified image, the AAGPBL left an indelible mark on both sports and society.

“I think it's a sign of great mental health to acknowledge the dark wolf inside you,” Holly Fry muses, reflecting on the multifaceted lives these women led beyond the baseball diamond (42:14).

Notable Quotes:

• “By 1943, when this league was founded, baseball was considered both the national pastime in the United States and a man's game.” — Holly Fry (02:35)

• “The league went to great lengths to reinforce the idea that these players weren't just women, they were ladies.” — Holly Fry (21:20)

• “As attendance started to fall off in 1948, Meyerhoff embarked on some ambitious plans to try to revive the league.” — Tracy Wilson (33:23)

Learn More:

For additional details on the AAGPBL and its players, visit the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association website or explore exhibits at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.