Making the Rules
When creating the AAGPBL, Wrigley had to decide whether the girls would play traditional baseball, softball, or a combination of the two. When the league first played, the style of play most resembled women's softball. However, as the league evolved and expanded, the rules of play were altered as well. Towards the middle and end of the league, the rules were updated to resemble men's baseball, while still maintaining some aspects of softball. The new rules allowed the women to be more competitive and challenge themselves further.
Pitching When the league played its first season in 1943, the women were only allowed to use the traditional underhand pitching motion with a 12 inch ball when on the mound (1). In an interview, former player Wilma Briggs says that "they actually had 6 different size balls, and that's what most people don't know...When the league first started, it [pitching] was underhand, it was the windmill...but they used baseball rules" (2). As the league progressed, the pitching distance increased , and the size of the ball decreased. From 1945 to 1950, "overhand pitching and smaller ball sizes were adopted" in order to better replicate traditional men's baseball (3).
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Aggressive Play Traditionally in women's softball, stealing, leading off bases, and other aggressive offensive strategies were outlawed. This changed in the AAGPBL in order to make the play more competitive. The league made the game more challenging for the women and more entertaining for the crowds by integrating baseball rules. "In an effort to increase hitting and spotlight baserunning and fielding, [the league] extended the length of softball's base paths and pitching distance" (5). In addition to changes on the field, the AAGPBL allowed runners to leaf off and steal bases just like men's baseball (6).
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Attracting the CrowdsWrigley knew that competitive play and talented players wouldn't be enough to draw in record crowds. Something else needed to be added to ensure attendance would remain high. "It was believed that by acquiring notable men sport figures as managers for the girls' teams, there would be greater curiosity and interest by the public" (7). For example, Eddie Stumpf, a Minor League Baseball catcher, managed the 1943 Rockford Peaches (8).
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Record of AAGPBL Equipment & Facility Changes (4)
1. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Rules of Play," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/20/rules-of-play, (May 17, 2015).
2. ProvidenceJournal. "Wilma Briggs reminisces about her baseball career". Youtube video, 3:54. https://youtu.be/5R7yGP9Z-xQ.
3. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Rules of Play," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/20/rules-of-play, (May 17, 2015).
4. Ibid.
5. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "League History," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/12/league-history, (May 17, 2015).
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1174 (May 17, 2016).
10. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1177 (May 17, 2016).
11. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1173 (May 17, 2016).
2. ProvidenceJournal. "Wilma Briggs reminisces about her baseball career". Youtube video, 3:54. https://youtu.be/5R7yGP9Z-xQ.
3. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Rules of Play," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/20/rules-of-play, (May 17, 2015).
4. Ibid.
5. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "League History," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/12/league-history, (May 17, 2015).
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1174 (May 17, 2016).
10. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1177 (May 17, 2016).
11. All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, Inc., "Playing the Game- Action Photos," http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/media-gallery/images/full-size/1173 (May 17, 2016).