The South Bend Blue Sox was a women's professional baseball team who played from 1943 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. A founding member, the team represented South Bend, Indiana, and played their home games at Bendix Field (1943–1945) and Playland Park (1946–1954).
1943 South Bend Blue Sox inaugural team Back row, L-R: Bert Niehoff (manager), Muriel Coben, Ellen Tronnier, Johanna Hageman, Geraldine Shafranis, Betty McFadden, Rose Virginia Way (chaperone). Middle row, L-R: Lois Florreich, Betsy Jochum, Josephine D'Angelo, Margaret Berger, Dorothy Schroeder, Mary Holda. Front row: Doris Barr, Mary Baker, Lucella MacLean, Margaret Stefani.
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women's baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley, which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women's professional league sports in the United States. Over 600 women played in the league, which eventually consisted of 10 teams located in the American Midwest. In 1948, league attendance peaked at over 900,000 spectators. The most successful team, the Rockford Peaches, won a league-best four championships.
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League members performing calisthenics in Opa-locka, Florida, on April 22, 1948. The different baseball clubs are (L-R): Fort Wayne Daisies (partially visible), Chicago Colleens, Rockford Peaches, South Bend Blue Sox, Springfield Sallies and Peoria Redwings.
Logo of the All-American Girls Softball League, 1943
Reproduction 1944 Milwaukee Chicks uniform on display at Miller Park
