This photo depicts the first four players signed to the AAGPBL: Standing, L-R: Clara Schillace, Ann Harnett and Edie Perlick. Seated: Shirley Jameson. (From Northern Indiana Center for History Collection.)
Citation: AAGPBL Players Association Staff, "AAGPBL League History." 2014. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.aagpbl.org/history/league-history.
The following object description information includes basic elements from the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). An additional notes field is included to list dates from the actual letter, envelope postmark locations, and any other identifying details.
Notes – Handwritten letter dated June 14, 1943, two pages. Includes envelope, postmarked June 14, 1943, 5:30PM, from DMF, Fla.
This letter is dated June 14, 1943, two weeks after the first game of the All-American Girls Base Ball League was played. The creation and the history of the AAGBBL is an interesting historical note that places this letter in the larger context of American culture at the time. From the official website of the AAGBBL:
"With the dedication of a group of Midwestern businessmen and the financial support of Mr. Wrigley, the All-American Girls Softball League emerged in the spring of 1943. Midway in the first season of play, the board of trustees changed the League's name to All-American Girls Base Ball League (AAGBBL) to make it distinctive from the existing softball leagues and because the rules of play were those of Major League Baseball.
League play officially began on May 30, 1943 with South Bend playing in Rockford and Kenosha playing in Racine. A total of 108 games were played in the regular season, which ran from mid-May to the first of September. At the end of the 1943 season, the Kenosha Comets played a 5-game series against the Racine Belles for the Championship. Racine won and became the first World Champions of the All-American Girls Base Ball League."
Citation: AAGPBL Players Association Staff, "AAGPBL League History." 2014. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.aagpbl.org/history/league-history.
The 1992 film "A League of Their Own" chronicles the history of the AAGBBL, and stars Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, and Madonna. The film spawned the iconic catchphrase "There's no crying in baseball!"
Citation: Marshall, P. (1992). A League of Their Own. Columbia Pictures.