1951 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season

The 1951 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season marked the ninth season of the circuit. The teams Battle Creek Belles, Fort Wayne Daisies, Grand Rapids Chicks, Kalamazoo Lassies, Kenosha Comets, Peoria Redwings, Rockford Peaches and South Bend Blue Sox competed through a 112-game schedule, while the Shaugnessy playoffs featured the top four teams from each half of the regular season.[1]

1951 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season
LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball League
SportBaseball
Number of teamsEight
Regular season
Season championsGrand Rapids Chicks (first half)
South Bend Blue Sox (second half)
Shaugnessy playoffs
ChampionsSouth Bend Blue Sox

In 1951, many things changed in relation to the previous season, when attendance began to decline dramatically. The Racine Belles franchise was moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, while the Chicago Colleens and Springfield Sallies traveling teams were disbanded. Betty Foss of Fort Wayne led all hitters for the second year in a row with a .368 batting average, breaking her own single-season record of .346 set in her rookie season. Foss also topped the league with 34 doubles, setting an all-time single-season record that would never be surpassed. Nine pitchers recorded an earned run average below 2.00, while Rose Gacioch of Rockford was the only one to gain 20 victories during the year. The Player of the Year Award was given to South Bend pitcher Jean Faut, who posted a 15–7 record with a 1.33 ERA and a league-leading 135 strikeouts, including a perfect game against Rockford on July 21 of that season.[2][3]

During the best-of-three series, first-place South Bend defeated third-place Fort Wayne, two games to one, while second-place Grand Rapids swept fourth-place Rockford in two games. South Bend pitching star Jean Faut drove in a run and held Fort Wayne to a run in Game 1, and later struck out nine batters and allowed one run in Game 3 to advance to the finals. In the other series, Rockford's Helen Nicol gave up six hits and shut out Grand Rapids in the first contest, while Marie Mansfield hurled a 7–6, 11-inning victory to defeat the Chicks.[4]

The final series took all five games to decide the champion team. Rockford held a 2–0 advantage in the series and looked to take it all, but South Bend rebounded and won the last three games to clinch the title. In Game 3, Faut stopped the Peaches in their tracks, pitching a six-hit, 3–2 victory, and picked up the win in a seven-inning relief effort in Game 5 to continue her winning ways. South Bend batted a collective .275 average in the finals, with Jane Stoll leading the offense with a .333 average (6-for-18) and six RBI, while Senaida Wirth batted .412 (7-for-17) and scored four runs, and Betty Wagoner hit .389 (7-for-18) with five runs.[4]

In 1951, the AAGPBL attendance declined for the third straight year. As revenues fell, individual teams' funds were limited to advertise nationally as a way of recruiting scattered baseball talent. With no centralized control of publicity, promotion, rookie training teams, and equalization of player talent, the League began to break down. The Kenosha and Peoria franchises withdrew at the end of the year, leaving the league with six teams for the next season.[5]

Standings

First half

RankTeamWLW-L%GB
1Grand Rapids Chicks4013.755
2Fort Wayne Daisies3417.6675
3South Bend Blue Sox3822.633
4Rockford Peaches3126.54411
5Peoria Redwings2825.52812
6Kenosha Comets2136.36821
7Kalamazoo Lassies1938.33323
8Battle Creek Belles1145.19630½

[6]

Second half

RankTeamWLW-L%GB
1South Bend Blue Sox3814.731
2Rockford Peaches3415.694
3Fort Wayne Daisies3418.6544
4Grand Rapids Chicks3122.585
5Peoria Redwings2131.40417
6Battle Creek Belles1935.35220
7Kenosha Comets1535.33322
8Kalamazoo Lassies1537.28823

[6]

Overall

RankTeamWLW-L%GB
1South Bend Blue Sox7636.679
2Grand Rapids Chicks7135.6702
3Fort Wayne Daisies6835.660
4Rockford Peaches6541.6138
5Peoria Redwings4956.46723½
6Kenosha Comets3671.33637½
7Kalamazoo Lassies3475.31240½
8Battle Creek Belles3080.27345

[6]

Postseason

First round
Best of three series
Second round
Best of five series
      
1 South Bend Blue Sox 2
3 Fort Wayne Daisies 1
1 South Bend Blue Sox 3
4 Rockford Peaches 2
2 Grand Rapids Chicks 0
4 Rockford Peaches 2

[4]

Batting statistics

StatisticPlayerRecord
 Batting averageBetty Foss (FW)
    Dorothy Kamenshek (ROC)   
Eleanor Callow
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Charlene Pryer (SB)
Doris Sams (KAL)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
June Peppas (BC/KAL)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Ruth Richard (ROC)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
Joanne Weaver (FW)
Wilma Briggs (FW)
Senaida Wirth (SB)
Delores Brumfield (KEN)
Betty Wagoner (SB)
.368
.345
.326
.326
.312
.306
.299
.285
.285
.279
.277
.277
.276
.275
.274
.273
.274
Runs scoredCharlene Pryer (SB)
Dorothy Harrell (ROC)
Dorothy Kamenshek (ROC)
Thelma Eisen (FW)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Marilyn Olinger (GR)
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Betty Foss (FW)
Senaida Wirth (SB)
Betty Wagoner (SB)
Eleanor Callow
Wilma Briggs (FW)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
106
91
90
88
88
82
78
77
77
77
66
64
64
60
HitsCharlene Pryer (SB)
Betty Foss (FW)
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Eleanor Callow (ROC)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Dorothy Kamenshek (ROC)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
June Peppas (BC/KAL)
Doris Sams (109)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
Wilma Briggs (FW)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Betty Wagoner (SB)
133
126
126
124
121
117
112
109
109
108
106
106
102
DoublesBetty Foss (FW)
Shirley Stovroff (SB)
Thelma Eisen (FW)
Eleanor Callow (ROC)
Marjorie Pieper (PEO/BC)
Doris Sams (KAL)
Jane Stoll (SB)
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Delores Brumfield (KEN)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Wilma Briggs (FW)
Dorothy Kamenshek (ROC)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
June Peppas (BC/KAL)
34
19
17
16
16
16
15
15
14
14
12
12
12
11
TriplesEleanor Callow (ROC)
Dorothy Kamenshek (ROC)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Margaret Wenzell (KAL/BC)
Jacquelyn Kelley (ROC)
Elizabeth Mahon (SB)
Marguerite Pearson (BC/KAL)
   Barbara Payne (KAL/BC/ROC)   
Inez Voyce (GR)
10
9
9
9
9
7
6
5
5
5
5
Home runsEleanor Callow (ROC)
Betty Foss (FW)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Dorothy Schroeder (FW)
Jean Lovell (KEN/KAL)
Doris Sams (KAL)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Jean Faut (SB)
Jean Geissinger (FW)
Jacquelyn Kelley (ROC)
Margaret Russo (PEO)
Doris Sams (KAL)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Joanne Weaver (FW)
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Runs batted inEleanor Callow (ROC)
Elizabeth Mahon (SB)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Ruth Richard (ROC)
Betty Foss (FW)
Lavonne Paire (GR)
Shirley Stovroff (SB)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
Senaida Wirth (SB)
Margaret Russo (PEO)
Joyce Hill (PEO)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Jane Stoll (SB)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Dorothy Schroeder (FW)
Rita Briggs (PEO)
84
68
62
60
58
56
54
54
54
51
50
49
47
45
45
44
Stolen basesCharlene Pryer (SB)
Dorothy Harrell (ROC)
Thelma Eisen (FW)
Senaida Wirth (SB)
Dorothy Kamenshek
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Betty Foss (FW)
Elizabeth Mahon (SB)
Betty Wagoner (SB)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
Margaret Russo (PEO)
129
91
88
69
63
61
60
53
50
50
45
Total basesBetty Foss (FW)
Eleanor Callow (ROC)
Connie Wisniewski (GR)
Alice Pollitt (ROC)
Doris Satterfield (GR)
Dorothy Kamenshek
Charlene Pryer (SB)
Inez Voyce (GR)
Doris Sams (KAL)
June Peppas (BC/KAL)
Elizabeth Mahon (SB)
Margaret Russo (PEO)
Jacquelyn Kelley (ROC)
Evelyn Wawryshyn (FW)
Jane Stoll (SB)
Margaret Wenzell (KAL/BC)
176
172
159
158
148
147
147
136
135
131
125
124
117
116
112
105

[4]

Pitching statistics

StatisticPlayerRecord
WinsRose Gacioch (ROC)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Marie Mansfield (ROC)
Jean Faut (SB)
Lillian Faralla (SB)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Pat Scott (FW)
Mary Lou Studnicka (GR)
Jaynne Bittner (GR)
Alma Ziegler (GR)
20
18
18
17
16
16
15
15
15
15
15
15
14
Winning percentageLouise Arnold (SB)
Dorothy Mueller (SB)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Lillian Faralla (SB)
Mary Lou Studnicka (GR)
Rose Gacioch (ROC)
Jaynne Bittner (GR)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Jean Faut (SB)
Pat Scott (FW)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
.833
.833
.818
.789
.750
.741
.727
.720
.682
.682
.680
Earned run averageDorothy Naum (KEN)
Alma Ziegler (GR)
Jean Faut (SB)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Dorothy Mueller (SB)
Rose Gacioch (ROC)
Lillian Faralla (SB)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Ruth Williams (KAL)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Pat Scott (FW)
Earlene Risinger (GR)
Nancy Warren (PEO)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
1.14
1.26
1.33
1.53
1.56
1.68
1.85
1.95
1.96
2.02
2.13
2.14
2.20
2.24
StrikeoutsJean Faut (SB)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Marie Mansfield (ROC)
Jean Marlowe (KEN)
Georgette Vincent (SB)
Barbara Rotvig (KEN)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
Nancy Warren (PEO)
Mary Lou Studnicka (GR)
Gloria Cordes (BC/KAL)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Pat Scott (FW)
Alma Ziegler (GR)
Erma Bergmann (BC)
Ruth Williams (KAL)
135
123
121
116
113
93
87
79
72
70
69
67
62
62
59
59
Complete gamesMigdalia Pérez (BC)
Rose Gacioch (ROC)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Alma Ziegler (GR)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Jean Marlowe (KEN)
Erma Bergmann (BC)
Jean Faut (SB)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
26
25
23
22
22
21
21
20
20
20
20
ShutoutsRose Gacioch (ROC)
Alma Ziegler (GR)
Jean Faut (SB)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Jaynne Bittner (GR)
Lillian Faralla (SB)
Mary Lou Studnicka (GR)
Ruth Williams (KAL)
9
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
Games pitchedMigdalia Pérez (BC)
Josephine Hasham (PEO)
Marie Mansfield (ROC)
Elaine Roth (KAL)
Rose Gacioch (ROC)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
Eleanor Moore (FW)
Jean Marlowe (KEN)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Nancy Warren (FW/PEO)
Gloria Cordes (BC/KAL)
   Frances Janssen (FW/PEO/BC//KAL)   
Pat Scott (FW)
32
30
30
30
29
29
29
29
28
28
27
26
26
26
Innings pitchedMigdalia Pérez (BC)
Rose Gacioch (ROC)
Josephine Hasham (PEO)
Helen Nicol (ROC)
Mirtha Marrero (FW)
Jean Marlowe (KEN)
Alice Hohlmayer (PEO)
Marie Mansfield (ROC)
Erma Bergmann (BC)
Margaret Holgerson (GR)
Maxine Kline (FW)
Jean Faut (SB)
Pat Scott (FW)
Nancy Warren (FW/PEO)
237
231
218
214
213
211
209
202
200
200
194
190
190
188

[4]

All-Star Game

See also

Sources

  1. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League teams by season
  2. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Record BookW.C. Madden. Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2000. Format: Softcover, 294pp. Language: English. ISBN 978-0-7864-3747-4
  3. The Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League: A Biographical DictionaryW.C. Madden. Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2005. Format: Softcover, 295pp. Language: English. ISBN 0-7864-3747-2
  4. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Record Book
  5. All-American Girls Professional Baseball League history
  6. "All-American Girls Professional Baseball League records".
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