Describes the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which gave women the opportunity to play professional baseball while America was involved in World War II.

The movie A League of Their Own put the AAGPBL on the map, but books tell the real story. Belles of the Ballpark does just that in an intimate, fun, and fact-filled account of the league and its players-from the inception during WWII, to its vibrant popularity today. Read about: The real motivations for forming a girls' baseball league, and what if took for aspiring players to make the grade, Life off the field and on the road for the girls leaguers, who endured grueling schedules, countless bus rides, and demanding public relations obligations, The evolution of the game they played - from softball to modified baseball to a highly competitive brand of hardball, Other features includes: Personal reflections from an all-star lineup of former players, The startling revelation of the gag rule Hollywood clamped onto former girls' leaguers ahead of the release of A League of Their Own, All about the first AAGPBL baseball cards, now scarce collectors' items, The story of the more than 20 former major leaguers who were part of the league, including several Hall of Famers, An interview with Casey Candaele, the big leaguer whose mom won an AAGPBL batting title, Profiles of the determined historians who led the crusade for AAGPBL recognition that culminated in a permanent exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Plus over 50 photos, a league history Timeline, and ample resources Book jacket.

The Belles of Baseball discusses how in the 1940s and 1950s, women broke traditional gender barriers by playing professional baseball, boosting morale during World War II and paving the way for future generations of female athletes. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Women have been involved in baseball from the game's early days, in a wide range of capacities. This ambitious encyclopedia provides information on women players, managers, teams, leagues, and issues since the mid-19th century. Players are listed by maiden name with married name, when known, in parentheses. Information provided includes birth date, death date, team, dates of play, career statistics and brief biographical notes when available. Related entries are noted for easy cross-reference. Appendices include the rosters of the World War II era All American Girls Professional Baseball League teams; the standings and championships from the AAGPBL; and all women's baseball teams and players identified to date.

Growing up, Pat Brown had two dreams: to play baseball and to attend college. She was told she couldn't play baseball because she was a girl and couldn't attend college because she had no money, but in spite of the obstacles, she achieved both of these dreams, playing for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1950 and 1951 and going on to attend college. She is among the few women professional baseball players to be included into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. "As the only former AAGPBL player to have written about the League," Brown says, "I feel like I have finally pitched my no hit game." This is a memoir of playing baseball on the sandlot, discovering and playing in the AAGPBL, and playing basketball in college. Brown shares her thoughts on the League's history, including what Philip K. Wrigley sought to do by creating the AAGPBL, what happened after Wrigley left to give more attention to the Chicago Cubs, and why the League ended. She also considers the future for women's professional baseball. Interviews with such former AAGPBL players as Helen Hannah Campbell, Patricia "Pat" Courtney, Madeline "Maddy" English, Lenora "Smokey" Mandella, Jacqueline "Jackie" Matson, Jane Moffet, Mary "Sis" Moore, and Janet "Pee Wee" Wiley are included.

This in-depth treatment of the organization and operation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League draws on primary documents from league owner Arthur Meyerhoff and others for a unique perspective inside the AAGPBL. The study begins with a brief history of women's softball, an important precursor to, and talent pool for, women's professional baseball. Next the book investigates league administration and organization as well as publicity and promotion. Later chapters cover team administrative structures, managers, chaperones, player backgrounds, and league policies. Finally, discussion focuses on the activities of the AAGPBL Players' Association from 1980 onward. Informed by many years of research and insights from former players, this exhaustive history contains 149 photographs.

"An interesting and informative look at the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that operated from 1945–1954.... A significant title." --School Library Journal, starred review