Inductee In An Instant

Some Canadian Women's Baseball History

Sean Murphy

Dec 21, 2023

CANADIAN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: Canadian-Born All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players

INDUCTED: 1998

YEARS IN OPERATION: 1943 to 1954

LEAGUE FOUNDER: Philip K Wrigley

ABOUT THE AAGPBL

By late 1942, WWII was well underway with its continued effects starting to reach minor league baseball with many teams suspending operations. More and more players were being drafted into service and Philip Wrigley, the chewing gum tycoon as well as owner of the Chicago Cubs was concerned about disruption to Major League Baseball and set out to make sure baseball continued. Ken Sells, the assistant to the GM for the Cubs, was tasked with coming up with ideas and headed up a committee looking for an answer to Wrigley’s concerns. After receiving support from local businessmen and having financial backing from Wrigley, the All-American Girls Softball League was born. A board of trustees was formed with Philip Wrigley, Branch Rickey, Paul Harper, and Ken Sells being members. Sells also became the league’s first president.

Now that there was a league in place, it needed players. Jim Hamilton, Chicago Cubs scout and multi-decade baseball veteran, was hired as the Head of Procurement to locate and sign women from all over the United States and Canada.

From a Canadian perspective, former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Gottselig who was managing the KC Blackhawks minor league baseball team in 1942, happened to possess an extensive network of contacts throughout Canada. With that network, Johnny led the charge pursuing talented Canadian softball and baseball players to sign with the burgeoning league. One of those people was Hub Bishop, a notable hockey scout. Hub also knew the softball leagues in the area and the talented players within ultimately signing several players.

After attracting multiple hundred try-out participants, the field was narrowed down to a final 60 players, fourteen of them Canadian, who were selected to play in the inaugural season of the AAGPBL.

Femininity was also a very high priority for the players. Wrigley brought Helena Rubenstein's Beauty Salon on board during spring training to conduct charm school classes after their baseball practices. Proper etiquette was taught and each player was provided a beauty kit they were to use.

The inaugural 1943 season kicked off May 30, with four teams (Kenosha, South Bend, Racine, and Rockford). The Kenosha Comets were the first league champions with the Racine Belles taking down the first-ever playoff championship.

Canadians made an impact immediately with Gladys “Terrie” Davis taking home the batting championship in 1943 by posting: 349 AB, .332 BA, 116 H, 58 RBI, 53 SB, 52 BB & 9 K for the Rockford Peaches. Helen “Nickie” Fox won Pitcher Of The Year leading the league in victories, win percentage, ERA, games pitched, innings pitched, and last but not least strikeouts while playing for the league champion Comets. Nickie then went back to back winning the Pitcher Of The Year in 1944 as well.

Over 600 women, 68 of them from Canada, played professional baseball in the AAGPBL from 1943 until it ceased operation in 1954.