League of Their Own - Merrie Fidler shares stories from the AAGPBL

Philip Wrigley, Cubs executive, begins a Women’s Softball League. Wrigley would be 1 of 3 executives, including Branch Rickey, to launch the AAGPBLJoe Boland, South Bend Tribune Sports Editor & AAGPBL legendary pitcher Jean FautArthur Meyerhoff invites Merrie to dig through the basement files & letters in the Wrigley Building for her research.Merrie completes AAGPBL thesis after 4 years of research in 1976June “Lefty” Peppas – 1st base & pitcher for the Kalamazoo Lassies asks to print & circulate Merrie Fidler’s thesis amongst other AAGPBL playersPeppas prepares the first national AAGBPL reunion in Chicago, July 1982. Reunions begin to spread across the U.S.Petition Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame to have AAGBPL – Fall of 1988 HOF launches AAGBPLDocumentary of league –  Kelly Candaele & Kim Wilson  “A League of Their Own” PBS documentary Penny Marshall, Yankees fan, directs a “A League Of Their Own” movie – highest grossing baseball movie in history.Movie inspires many - Little League allowing young girls to play baseballFormer AAGPBL Sue Zipay, is starting a new League of Their Own with tournament in Sarasota, Nov. 17th – 19thFall 1942, US War Department notifies major league baseball owners that in 1943 there may not be a baseball season due to man power needed for the war. Wrigley responds to War Dept news & creates the AAGPBLLeague moves to overhand pitching in 1948 Tampa Baseball Museum Shu-Shu Wirth – Ybor native makes it to the AAGPBL – South Bend Blue SoxShu-Shu bridged the language gap between Cuban players & AAGBPL ManagersPlayers for teams were selected at a league level prior to each seasonLoaning players to other teamsDodgers Spring Training in 1947 moves to Havana Cuba as they brought Jackie Robinson onto the teamBranch Rickey was one of 3 trustees to begin the AAGBPL and set it up as a non-profit leagueCuban promoter had developed girls teams in HavanaAAGBPL were drawing 15,000+ crowds for their Havana gamesShortstop Shu-Shu Wirth spoke Spanish & helped communicate with players & coachesExhibition games a good tool for scouting & recruiting new players on the road. Ruth Davis, bat girl for the Blue Sox, shares impact of AAGPBL on how the women in the league broadened her horizons for careers as she watched players succeed off-field.Merrie’s visit to Cooperstown and the AAGPBL Reunion in Syracuse, New YorkPost League many players continued as athletes in other professional sports including tennis,  golf & professional bowling. Jean Faut became a successful professional bowlerMerrie’s book   “The Origins & History of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League”   All-American Women’s Baseball Classic in Sarasota - November 17 – 19, 2023 https://americangirlsbaseball.org/all-american-womans-baseball-classic/ Past Tournament Video HighlightsBaseballBiz On Deck is at www.baseballbizondeck.com & on iheartradio, Apple & Google podcastsTwitter: @TheBaseballBiz Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"