The Patriotic Pinch Hitter: The AAGBL and How the American Woman Earned a Permanent Spot on the Roster

Abstract

During World War II, that lovely, patriotic stepped up to bat, entering workforce so her boyfriend, Charlie, could take it for team by going to war. Once she saw her MVP rounding third, Rosie happily slid into her warm, safe home, gratified by a job well done. However, contrary to popular belief, Rosie was no mere hitter. Throughout 1940s American woman was capable of being more than a temporary hire. She was a professional musician, a war correspondent, and a member of United States Congress as well as a professional baseball player. The All-American Girls' Baseball League (AAGBL) began as wartime entertainment; however, it would last nine years after World War II with its effects still reverberating today. The image of Rosie Riveter must be recognized for what it was--propaganda to fill labor shortages during war. Rosie Riveter did not reflect experiences of every American woman. For example, African American and working-class women never had luxury of being temporary hires. The female wartime labor boom empowered American woman by expanding public acceptance of her presence in traditionally male dominated occupations, such as professional baseball. However, idea of pinch hitter enabled scholars to normalize idea that women's wartime accomplishments were temporary. (1) Some scholars of earlier feminist literature have gone as far as to say that women received little, if any, long-term benefits from their accomplishments in wartime America. For feminist scholar Elaine Tyler May, Americans believed wholeheartedly that men should rule roost. (2) Regardless of cultural norms many wartime and postwar women worked and played outside of their traditional gender roles, achieving success in professional fields of occupation. By autumn 1942 many minor baseball leagues had closed down due to lack of wartime manpower. By 1943 only eleven leagues were operating, a thirty-one-team drop-off from two seasons earlier. It appeared that by 1944, Major League baseball might have to close its own ballpark gates. (3) Diamond stars, such as Joe DiMaggio, were putting on military uniforms. Even if government did not shut down professional baseball, team owners became concerned that player quality would suffer and fans would lose interest. (4) In late 1942 Philip K. Wrigley, owner of Chicago Cubs, tapped Ken Sells, assistant to general manager of club, to head up a task force to brainstorm on issue. After exploring several options committee recommended a professional league with female players. Softball was as popular as baseball at time. (5) However, it cannot be ignored that was a game dominated by women and that women were one of few sectors of American population, aside from children, disabled, and elderly, who were guaranteed exemption from draft. Sells's commission led to founding of AAGBL in 1943; however, league began its auspicious history as All-American Girls' Softball League (AAGSL). (6) And a girls' league it would be, as all of players ranged in age from their teens to their twenties. (7) However, a few were married and held professional careers as well as being mothers. It should be noted that these players took no offense at moniker girl. Today, in a post-NOW (National Organization for Women) era, these women still refer to themselves and their former teammates as the girls. A professional organized athletic league had never been successfully attempted with women to this point, so Wrigley called on support and expertise of fellow Major League Baseball executives. Ken Sells was named president of league. (8) Wrigley also called on Cubs attorney Paul V. Harper and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey to become league's first trustees. When league was officially announced, Wrigley claimed that it was time for softball to take its proper place among American girls and women as one of country's major sports. …