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Rockford, Illinois

1 clipping from Rockford, Illinois.

AP Newsfeatures story headed Girl Softballers Finish Their Transition To Professionals, with a photo of catcher Ruth Richard. The American Girls Baseball League, founded 12 years ago by Phil Wrigley and Branch Rickey as a four-team professional softball circuit, has completed its gradual transition to baseball as played in the major leagues, with the regulation nine-inch ball in use since July 1. The story recounts the ball shrinking from 12 inches in 1943 through 11 and a half, 11, and 10 and three eighths, sidearm pitching introduced in 1946 and overhand two years later, and Rockford's Marie Mansfield hurling a four-hitter. Falling attendance forced the changeover, and the new game must save the league financially or the girls will be back in the amateurs.

Girl Softballers Finish Their Transition To Professionals

Rockford Peaches
Rockford, Illinois · 1954

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