WOMEN AND SPORTS1920-1955WOMEN AND SPORTS1920-1955
OVERVIEW-1OVERVIEW-1
WOMEN & SPORTS IN THE 1920sWOMEN & SPORTS IN THE 1920s
SWIMMING RECORDS/ MEDIASUCCESSSWIMMING RECORDS/ MEDIASUCCESS
TENNIS STARSTENNIS STARS
TRACK & FIELD COMPETITIONSTRACK & FIELD COMPETITIONS
BABE DIDRIKSONBABE DIDRIKSON
OVERVIEW-2OVERVIEW-2
WOMEN AND WWIIWOMEN AND WWII
SOFTBALL LEAGUESSOFTBALL LEAGUES
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL FOR WOMEN,COMMERCIAL SUCCESSPROFESSIONAL BASEBALL FOR WOMEN,COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
“PLAY LIKE MEN, LOOK AND ACT LIKEWOMEN” BASEBALL POLICIES“PLAY LIKE MEN, LOOK AND ACT LIKEWOMEN” BASEBALL POLICIES
APPEARANCE AND MORAL RULESAPPEARANCE AND MORAL RULES
GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE DECLINEGIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE DECLINE
LEGACIES OF FIRST WOMEN TEAMPROFESSIONAL SPORTLEGACIES OF FIRST WOMEN TEAMPROFESSIONAL SPORT
MEDIA AND WOMEN’S SPORTS1920sMEDIA AND WOMEN’S SPORTS1920s
BY THE 1920s SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF FEMALEATHLETES HAVE ALREADY MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS INDIFFERENT COMPETITIVE SPORTS, IN PARTICULARSWIMMING, TENNIS AND TRACK & FIELD.BY THE 1920s SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF FEMALEATHLETES HAVE ALREADY MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS INDIFFERENT COMPETITIVE SPORTS, IN PARTICULARSWIMMING, TENNIS AND TRACK & FIELD.
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT,MEDIA BEGAN TO GIVE WOMEN ATHLETICS SOMERECOGNITION AND COVERAGE.IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT,MEDIA BEGAN TO GIVE WOMEN ATHLETICS SOMERECOGNITION AND COVERAGE.
AMERICAN WOMEN WHO HAD BEGUN SWIMMING IN YWCAs,COLLEGE AND ATHLETIC CLUBS WERE IN A POSITION TOCHALLENGE PREVALENT STEREOTYPES ON WOMEN ANDSPORTS.AMERICAN WOMEN WHO HAD BEGUN SWIMMING IN YWCAs,COLLEGE AND ATHLETIC CLUBS WERE IN A POSITION TOCHALLENGE PREVALENT STEREOTYPES ON WOMEN ANDSPORTS.
IN 1924 SYBIL BAER BROKE THE MEN’S RECORD INBACKSTROKE, REACHING AUTOMATICALLY CELEBRITYSTATUS.IN 1924 SYBIL BAER BROKE THE MEN’S RECORD INBACKSTROKE, REACHING AUTOMATICALLY CELEBRITYSTATUS.
A SECOND DEVELOPMENT TOOK PLACE IN 1926 WHENGERTRUDE EDERLE CROSSED THE ENGLISH CHANNELA SECOND DEVELOPMENT TOOK PLACE IN 1926 WHENGERTRUDE EDERLE CROSSED THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
WOMEN AND SPORTS 1920sWOMEN AND SPORTS 1920s
SWIMMING RECORDS GAD GREAT SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCEAND RECEIVED WIDE COVERAGE IN PRESS AND RADIO.SWIMMING RECORDS GAD GREAT SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCEAND RECEIVED WIDE COVERAGE IN PRESS AND RADIO.
IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, AMERICAN FEMALE TENNISPLAYERS INCREASED THEIR PRESENCE AND BECAMEDOMINANT FIGURES.IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, AMERICAN FEMALE TENNISPLAYERS INCREASED THEIR PRESENCE AND BECAMEDOMINANT FIGURES.
CALIFORNIAN NATIVE HELEN WILLS REACHED A STARSTATUS, AFTER HER MEMORABLE MATCHES AGAINSTEUROPEAN STARS.CALIFORNIAN NATIVE HELEN WILLS REACHED A STARSTATUS, AFTER HER MEMORABLE MATCHES AGAINSTEUROPEAN STARS.
WOMEN’S VOTING RIGHTS MOVEMENT ENERGIZE THEPARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SPORTS ALTOGETHER.WOMEN’S VOTING RIGHTS MOVEMENT ENERGIZE THEPARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SPORTS ALTOGETHER.
SUZANNE LENGLEN vs. HELEN WILLS TENNIS MATCHESWERE PRESENTED BY THE MEDIA AS INTERNATIONALBATTLES BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE U.S.SUZANNE LENGLEN vs. HELEN WILLS TENNIS MATCHESWERE PRESENTED BY THE MEDIA AS INTERNATIONALBATTLES BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE U.S.
WOMEN AND THE OLYMPICMOVEMENTWOMEN AND THE OLYMPICMOVEMENT
ORIGINAL OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATHENS 1896 WERE ONLY FOR MALEATHLETES.ORIGINAL OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATHENS 1896 WERE ONLY FOR MALEATHLETES.
THE FIRST DECADES OF THE 20TH CENTURY WOMEN PARTICIPATEDIN OLYMPIC GAMES FOR ONLY TENNIS AND GOLF.THE FIRST DECADES OF THE 20TH CENTURY WOMEN PARTICIPATEDIN OLYMPIC GAMES FOR ONLY TENNIS AND GOLF.
LATER GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING AND ARCHERY.LATER GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING AND ARCHERY.
THE 1928 OLYMPIC GAMES IN AMSTERDAM WERE SURROUNDED BYSTRONG CONTROVERSIES AS THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPICCOMMITTEE REFUSED TO ALLOW WOMEN IN THE TRACK & FIELDCOMPETITIONS.THE 1928 OLYMPIC GAMES IN AMSTERDAM WERE SURROUNDED BYSTRONG CONTROVERSIES AS THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPICCOMMITTEE REFUSED TO ALLOW WOMEN IN THE TRACK & FIELDCOMPETITIONS.
INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETES DEMANDED A 10-EVENTPARTICIPATION IN TRACK & FIELD. THE IOC REFUSED, SO ANINTERNATIONAL BOICOTT WAS ORGANIZED. ALTHOUGH SOMECOUNTRIES SEND WOMEN IN THEIR DELEGATIONS, THE BOICOTTWAS DEEMED ONLY A PARTICAL SUCCESS.INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETES DEMANDED A 10-EVENTPARTICIPATION IN TRACK & FIELD. THE IOC REFUSED, SO ANINTERNATIONAL BOICOTT WAS ORGANIZED. ALTHOUGH SOMECOUNTRIES SEND WOMEN IN THEIR DELEGATIONS, THE BOICOTTWAS DEEMED ONLY A PARTICAL SUCCESS.
THE 1932 OLYMPIC GAMES IN LOS ANGELES INCLUDED TRACK &FIELD EVENTS FOR WOMEN IN ONLY THREE CATEGORIES.THE 1932 OLYMPIC GAMES IN LOS ANGELES INCLUDED TRACK &FIELD EVENTS FOR WOMEN IN ONLY THREE CATEGORIES.
BABE DIDRIKSONSUPER STARBABE DIDRIKSONSUPER STAR
IN A PROCESS SIMILAR TO PARTICIPATION IN SWIMMING,AMERICAN FEMALE ATHLETES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY THEIRPRESENCE IN TRACK & FIELD COMPETITIONS IN THE 1920s.IN A PROCESS SIMILAR TO PARTICIPATION IN SWIMMING,AMERICAN FEMALE ATHLETES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY THEIRPRESENCE IN TRACK & FIELD COMPETITIONS IN THE 1920s.
AS TRACK & FIELD BECOME A REGULAR FEATURE IN COLLEGIATEAND AMATEUR COMPETITIONS FOR WOMEN IN THE U.S. THEQUANTITY AND QUALITY OF ATHLETES EXPERIENCED A DRAMATICINCREASE.AS TRACK & FIELD BECOME A REGULAR FEATURE IN COLLEGIATEAND AMATEUR COMPETITIONS FOR WOMEN IN THE U.S. THEQUANTITY AND QUALITY OF ATHLETES EXPERIENCED A DRAMATICINCREASE.
IN THE EARLY 1930s BABE DIDRIKSON WAS THE MOST DOMINANTATHLETE IN TRACK & FIELD EVENTS BOTH IN THE UNITED STATESAND WORLDWIDE.IN THE EARLY 1930s BABE DIDRIKSON WAS THE MOST DOMINANTATHLETE IN TRACK & FIELD EVENTS BOTH IN THE UNITED STATESAND WORLDWIDE.
DIDRIKSON BROKE NATIONAL, OLYMPIC AND WORLD RECORDS INSEVERAL TRACK & FIELD EVENTS.DIDRIKSON BROKE NATIONAL, OLYMPIC AND WORLD RECORDS INSEVERAL TRACK & FIELD EVENTS.
DIDRIKSON DOMINATED IN THE TRACK & FIELD EVENTS IN THE 1932OLYMPIC GAMES.DIDRIKSON DOMINATED IN THE TRACK & FIELD EVENTS IN THE 1932OLYMPIC GAMES.
BABE DIDRIKSONBABE DIDRIKSON
BORN IN TEXAS (BEAUMONT), MULTI-SPORT STAR IN HIGH SCHOOL(SWIMMING, TENNIS, BASKETBALL,VOLLEYBALL, GOLF).BORN IN TEXAS (BEAUMONT), MULTI-SPORT STAR IN HIGH SCHOOL(SWIMMING, TENNIS, BASKETBALL,VOLLEYBALL, GOLF).
U.S. TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP IN1932 BROKE FOUR WORLD RECORDSAND WON SIX GOLD MEDALS.U.S. TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP IN1932 BROKE FOUR WORLD RECORDSAND WON SIX GOLD MEDALS.
BECAME A CELEBRITY AFTER THE1932 OLYMPIC GAMESBECAME A CELEBRITY AFTER THE1932 OLYMPIC GAMES
DIDRIKSON SHOWSDIDRIKSON SHOWS
1934 STAR IN HER MEN & WOMEN ITINERANT BASKETBALLTEAM.1934 STAR IN HER MEN & WOMEN ITINERANT BASKETBALLTEAM.
1935 MLB SPRING TRAINING CAMPS TOUR, PITCHER, VERYSUCCESFUL. MLB COMMISSIONER PROHIBITED THEPARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN TRAINING SEASON AFTERSEING HER.1935 MLB SPRING TRAINING CAMPS TOUR, PITCHER, VERYSUCCESFUL. MLB COMMISSIONER PROHIBITED THEPARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN TRAINING SEASON AFTERSEING HER.
BARNSTORMING BASEBALL TEAMSBARNSTORMING BASEBALL TEAMS
LATE 1930s PROFESSIONAL GOLFERLATE 1930s PROFESSIONAL GOLFER
HER IMAGE IN THE MEDIA WAS A THE “BOGEYMAN FORWOMEN IN SPORTS”HER IMAGE IN THE MEDIA WAS A THE “BOGEYMAN FORWOMEN IN SPORTS”
DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED ATHLETES OFTHE CENTURY, SHE WAS REGULARLY PRESENTED AS THE“MASCULINE” WOMAN BY THE MEDIA. DIED OF CANCER INHER FORTIES.DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED ATHLETES OFTHE CENTURY, SHE WAS REGULARLY PRESENTED AS THE“MASCULINE” WOMAN BY THE MEDIA. DIED OF CANCER INHER FORTIES.
WOMEN AND WORLD WAR IIWOMEN AND WORLD WAR II
SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS INTHE 1940s MADE POSSIBLE THE CREATION OF THE FIRSTPROFESSIONAL TEAM SPORT FOR WOMEN IN THE UNITEDSTATES: BASEBALL.SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS INTHE 1940s MADE POSSIBLE THE CREATION OF THE FIRSTPROFESSIONAL TEAM SPORT FOR WOMEN IN THE UNITEDSTATES: BASEBALL.
AS LARGE NUMBERS OF MEN PARTICIPATED IN THEMILITARY DRAFT, THE WAR EFFORT AT HOME OPENEDGREAT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICAN WOMEN.AS LARGE NUMBERS OF MEN PARTICIPATED IN THEMILITARY DRAFT, THE WAR EFFORT AT HOME OPENEDGREAT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICAN WOMEN.
MILITARY INDUSTRY, AUTOINDUSTRY. STEEL INDUSTRY,MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, IN THE GREAT LAKES,CALIFORNIA, AND NATIONWIDE, HIRED LARGE NUMBERS OFWOMEN FOR BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR POSITIONS: ROSYTHE RIVETEER.MILITARY INDUSTRY, AUTOINDUSTRY. STEEL INDUSTRY,MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, IN THE GREAT LAKES,CALIFORNIA, AND NATIONWIDE, HIRED LARGE NUMBERS OFWOMEN FOR BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR POSITIONS: ROSYTHE RIVETEER.
SUCH MASSIVE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE LABORMARKET, PROVIDED THEM: ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE,LEISURE TIME, DISCRETIONARY INCOME. AMERICAN WOMENBECAME A DISTINGUISHABLE CONSUMMER GROUPSUCH MASSIVE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE LABORMARKET, PROVIDED THEM: ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE,LEISURE TIME, DISCRETIONARY INCOME. AMERICAN WOMENBECAME A DISTINGUISHABLE CONSUMMER GROUP
WOMEN AND WORLD WAR IIWOMEN AND WORLD WAR II
AS MORE AND MORE AMERICAN YOUNG WOMENREACHED ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SOLIDPOSITIONS IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, THEYALSO ARTICULATED WAYS TO ORGANIZE LEISUREAND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES IN URBAN AREAS, MOREIN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW TIMES. AMERICANWOMEN WERE IN A POSITION TO SUPPORT ANDSPONSOR ORGANIZED SPORTS FOR WOMEN,BOTH AS ATHLETES AND FANS.AS MORE AND MORE AMERICAN YOUNG WOMENREACHED ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SOLIDPOSITIONS IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, THEYALSO ARTICULATED WAYS TO ORGANIZE LEISUREAND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES IN URBAN AREAS, MOREIN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW TIMES. AMERICANWOMEN WERE IN A POSITION TO SUPPORT ANDSPONSOR ORGANIZED SPORTS FOR WOMEN,BOTH AS ATHLETES AND FANS.
TENNIS AND GOLF WERE TWO OF THE MOSTPOPULAR SPORTS.TENNIS AND GOLF WERE TWO OF THE MOSTPOPULAR SPORTS.
RISE OF SOFTBALLRISE OF SOFTBALL
SINCE THE 1930s SOFTBALL HAVE BECOME A FAVORITE PAST TIMEIN INDUSTRIAL, CHRISTIAN, RECREATIONAL AND ETHNICLEAGUES. SOFTBALL WAS CONCEIVED LESS AGGRESSIVE THANBASEBALL, LESS COMPETITIVE AND MORE FRIENDLY.SINCE THE 1930s SOFTBALL HAVE BECOME A FAVORITE PAST TIMEIN INDUSTRIAL, CHRISTIAN, RECREATIONAL AND ETHNICLEAGUES. SOFTBALL WAS CONCEIVED LESS AGGRESSIVE THANBASEBALL, LESS COMPETITIVE AND MORE FRIENDLY.
1934 AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CREATED TO ORGANIZELEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS . THE ASSOCIATION UNDERWENT AHUGE TRANSFORMATION IN ITS NUMBERS: FROM 1 TO 9 MILLIONPLAYERS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.1934 AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CREATED TO ORGANIZELEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS . THE ASSOCIATION UNDERWENT AHUGE TRANSFORMATION IN ITS NUMBERS: FROM 1 TO 9 MILLIONPLAYERS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.
IN THE LATE 1930s POPULAR INTEREST IN WOMEN’S SOFTBALL WASLARGE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF SOME SEMIPROFESSIONAL FEMALE TEAMS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST, 4 OFWHICH WERE BASED IN THE CHICAGO AREA.IN THE LATE 1930s POPULAR INTEREST IN WOMEN’S SOFTBALL WASLARGE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF SOME SEMIPROFESSIONAL FEMALE TEAMS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST, 4 OFWHICH WERE BASED IN THE CHICAGO AREA.
SOFTBALL FOR WOMEN WAS PERCEIVED AS AN IDEAL TEAM SPORTIN TERMS OF PROVIDING A MODERATE EXERCISE, NON-VIOLENTAND NON-STRENOUS ACTIVITY, IN A WAY SIMILAR TO THEBERENSON RULES FOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL.SOFTBALL FOR WOMEN WAS PERCEIVED AS AN IDEAL TEAM SPORTIN TERMS OF PROVIDING A MODERATE EXERCISE, NON-VIOLENTAND NON-STRENOUS ACTIVITY, IN A WAY SIMILAR TO THEBERENSON RULES FOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL.
REACTIONS TO WOMEN’SSOFTBALLREACTIONS TO WOMEN’SSOFTBALL
ALTHOUGH INITIALLY THERE WERE MIX REACTIONS TOWOMEN’S SOFTBALL, PUBLIC OPINION WAS FOR THE MOSTPART FAVORABLE TO THE SPORT.ALTHOUGH INITIALLY THERE WERE MIX REACTIONS TOWOMEN’S SOFTBALL, PUBLIC OPINION WAS FOR THE MOSTPART FAVORABLE TO THE SPORT.
IT WAS THOUGHT TO HELP WOMEN TO “KEEP FEMININEFIGURE”IT WAS THOUGHT TO HELP WOMEN TO “KEEP FEMININEFIGURE”
IT WAS SEEN NOT AS COMPETITIVE AS BASEBALLIT WAS SEEN NOT AS COMPETITIVE AS BASEBALL
FOR SOME CRITICS, HOWEVER, SOME PLAYERS ABANDON“LADYLIKE” MANNERS AND OCCASIONALLY “PLAY AND LOOKLIKE MEN”FOR SOME CRITICS, HOWEVER, SOME PLAYERS ABANDON“LADYLIKE” MANNERS AND OCCASIONALLY “PLAY AND LOOKLIKE MEN”
THEREFORE SOFTBALL RULES SHOULD BE CONSTANTLYMODIFIED FOR WOMEN, FOLLOWING BASKETBALL MODEL.THEREFORE SOFTBALL RULES SHOULD BE CONSTANTLYMODIFIED FOR WOMEN, FOLLOWING BASKETBALL MODEL.
DESPITE CRITICISM, SOFTBALL FOR WOMEN WASENORMOUSLY POPULAR AS A TEAM SPORT FOR MIDDLEAND LOWER CLASSES IN URBAN AREAS.DESPITE CRITICISM, SOFTBALL FOR WOMEN WASENORMOUSLY POPULAR AS A TEAM SPORT FOR MIDDLEAND LOWER CLASSES IN URBAN AREAS.
ALL-AMERICAN GIRLSSOFTBALL LEAGUE 1943-1955ALL-AMERICAN GIRLSSOFTBALL LEAGUE 1943-1955
CREATED IN 1943 BY PHILIP K. WRIGLEY AND ARTHURMEYERHOFF, AAGSL AS ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO THEMAJORLEAGUE BASEBALL CRISIS DUE TO THE ENROLLMENTOF MOST THE MALE STARS IN THE MILITARY CONFLICT.CREATED IN 1943 BY PHILIP K. WRIGLEY AND ARTHURMEYERHOFF, AAGSL AS ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO THEMAJORLEAGUE BASEBALL CRISIS DUE TO THE ENROLLMENTOF MOST THE MALE STARS IN THE MILITARY CONFLICT.
ORIGINALLY A MERE REACTION TO MALE BASEBALLSOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS, THE AAGL SOON BECAME A VERYPROSPEROUS LEAGUE AND FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.ORIGINALLY A MERE REACTION TO MALE BASEBALLSOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS, THE AAGL SOON BECAME A VERYPROSPEROUS LEAGUE AND FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.
1945 MEYERHOFF ONLY OWNER, SWITCHED THE GAMESFROM SOFTBALL TO BASEBALL, MAKING IT THE ALLAMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE (AAGBL) AND THENNATIONAL GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE.1945 MEYERHOFF ONLY OWNER, SWITCHED THE GAMESFROM SOFTBALL TO BASEBALL, MAKING IT THE ALLAMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE (AAGBL) AND THENNATIONAL GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE.
4 TEAMS (KENOSHA, RACINE, SOUTH BEND AND ROCKFORD).IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE DECADE THE AAGBLGENERATED SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN THE PUBLIC ANDREVENUE IN THE BOX OFFICE.4 TEAMS (KENOSHA, RACINE, SOUTH BEND AND ROCKFORD).IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE DECADE THE AAGBLGENERATED SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN THE PUBLIC ANDREVENUE IN THE BOX OFFICE.
NATIONAL GIRLS BASEBALLLEAGUENATIONAL GIRLS BASEBALLLEAGUE
LEAGUE’S GREAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS, 10 TEAMS,+1 MILLION ATTENDANCELEAGUE’S GREAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS, 10 TEAMS,+1 MILLION ATTENDANCE
INSPIRED BY THE MODIFICATION PRINCIPLE, THELEAGUE CHANGED IN VARIOUS OCCASSIONS THERULES OF MALE PRO-BASEBALL (PITCHING ANDBASES-DISTANCE, BALL SIZE, ETCETERA.INSPIRED BY THE MODIFICATION PRINCIPLE, THELEAGUE CHANGED IN VARIOUS OCCASSIONS THERULES OF MALE PRO-BASEBALL (PITCHING ANDBASES-DISTANCE, BALL SIZE, ETCETERA.
TO THE SURPRISE OF MANY, THE LEAGUE WASAPPEALING TO MALE AND FEMALE CROWDS ANDCREATED A RESPECTABLE INTEREST IN THEMEDIA BY USING MLB ADVERTISING STRATEGIES.THE LEAGUE MADE A CONSISTENT EFFORT TOPITCH WOMEN’S BASEBALL NOT ONLY AS ANATHLETIC COMPETITION BUT ALSO AS A FORM OFENTERTAINMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTED THEPLAYERS’ BEAUTY AND SEX APPEAL. TO THE SURPRISE OF MANY, THE LEAGUE WASAPPEALING TO MALE AND FEMALE CROWDS ANDCREATED A RESPECTABLE INTEREST IN THEMEDIA BY USING MLB ADVERTISING STRATEGIES.THE LEAGUE MADE A CONSISTENT EFFORT TOPITCH WOMEN’S BASEBALL NOT ONLY AS ANATHLETIC COMPETITION BUT ALSO AS A FORM OFENTERTAINMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTED THEPLAYERS’ BEAUTY AND SEX APPEAL.
WOMEN’S BASEBALL SUCCESSWOMEN’S BASEBALL SUCCESS
CONTRAST BETWEEN “MASCULINE”ATHLETIC SKILLS AND “FEMININE”BEAUTY, “MEN’S GAME PLAYED BYNORMAL WOMEN”CONTRAST BETWEEN “MASCULINE”ATHLETIC SKILLS AND “FEMININE”BEAUTY, “MEN’S GAME PLAYED BYNORMAL WOMEN”
BASEBALL WILL NOT HARM, CHANGEOR DIMINISH PLAYERS’ FEMININECHARACTERISTICSBASEBALL WILL NOT HARM, CHANGEOR DIMINISH PLAYERS’ FEMININECHARACTERISTICS
COACHES FORMER MLB PLAYERSCOACHES FORMER MLB PLAYERS
PLAYERSPLAYERS
“THE MORE FEMININE THEAPPEARANCE OF THE PERFORMER,THE MORE DRAMATIC THEPERFORMANCE”“THE MORE FEMININE THEAPPEARANCE OF THE PERFORMER,THE MORE DRAMATIC THEPERFORMANCE”
BASES FOR RECRUITMENT:FEMININITY WITH SKILLBASES FOR RECRUITMENT:FEMININITY WITH SKILL
NO ATHLETIC TALENT WITHOUT SEXAPPEALNO ATHLETIC TALENT WITHOUT SEXAPPEAL
NO WOMEN OF COLORNO WOMEN OF COLOR
APPEARANCE RULESAPPEARANCE RULES
TRAINING INCLUDED “MANDATORY CHARMSCHOOL” (MAKE UP, TABLE MANNERS,POSTURE, FASHION) BY BEAUTICIANSFROM H. RUBINSTEIN SALONTRAINING INCLUDED “MANDATORY CHARMSCHOOL” (MAKE UP, TABLE MANNERS,POSTURE, FASHION) BY BEAUTICIANSFROM H. RUBINSTEIN SALON
ANY IMITATION OF MEN’S STYLE IN HAIR,FASHION FORBIDDENANY IMITATION OF MEN’S STYLE IN HAIR,FASHION FORBIDDEN
RULES ON NAILS, HAIRDO, MAKE UP, ANDPUBLIC APPEARANCESRULES ON NAILS, HAIRDO, MAKE UP, ANDPUBLIC APPEARANCES
MEN SHOES, SHORTS, JEANS, T-SHIRTSBANNED.MEN SHOES, SHORTS, JEANS, T-SHIRTSBANNED.
MORAL RULESMORAL RULES
NO DRINKING, NO SMOKING.NO DRINKING, NO SMOKING.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND LIVINGCONDITIONS ONLY WITH TEAM’SAPPROVAL. PLAYERS SHOULD “LOOK ANDACT LIKE WOMEN”SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND LIVINGCONDITIONS ONLY WITH TEAM’SAPPROVAL. PLAYERS SHOULD “LOOK ANDACT LIKE WOMEN”
SAFEGUARDING THE FEMININITY ANDMORAL REPUTATION OF PLAYERSSAFEGUARDING THE FEMININITY ANDMORAL REPUTATION OF PLAYERS
“NO FREAKS OR AMAZONS”“NO FREAKS OR AMAZONS”
FEMINIZED TEAM NAMES: BELLES, DAISIES,PEACHES, LASSIESFEMINIZED TEAM NAMES: BELLES, DAISIES,PEACHES, LASSIES
AAGBL MARKET STRATEGIESAAGBL MARKET STRATEGIES
SPRING TRAININGSPRING TRAINING
FILM NEWSFILM NEWS
REGULAR MLB PROMOTIONSREGULAR MLB PROMOTIONS
SCOUTING AND RECRUITMENT FROMINDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPALLEAGUESSCOUTING AND RECRUITMENT FROMINDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPALLEAGUES
ENTERTAINMENT BASED ON SKILLSAND SEX APPEALENTERTAINMENT BASED ON SKILLSAND SEX APPEAL
WOMEN’S BASEBALL DECLINEIN POST WAR YEARSWOMEN’S BASEBALL DECLINEIN POST WAR YEARS
LITTLE LEAGUE GENDER SEGREGATIONRULES, 1939-1974.LITTLE LEAGUE GENDER SEGREGATIONRULES, 1939-1974.
DECLINE IN INDUSTRIAL LEAGUES, WOMENWORKERS REPLACED BY RETURNINGVETERANSDECLINE IN INDUSTRIAL LEAGUES, WOMENWORKERS REPLACED BY RETURNINGVETERANS
WOMEN’S RETURN TO “DOMESTICCHORES”WOMEN’S RETURN TO “DOMESTICCHORES”
DECLINE IN SPORTS PARTICIPATION,PLAYGROUND, CITY LEAGUESDECLINE IN SPORTS PARTICIPATION,PLAYGROUND, CITY LEAGUES
INCREASE MLB ATTENDANCEINCREASE MLB ATTENDANCE
WOMEN’S BASEBALL LEGACYWOMEN’S BASEBALL LEGACY
FIRST PROFESSIONAL COMPETITIVETEAM SPORT FOR WOMENFIRST PROFESSIONAL COMPETITIVETEAM SPORT FOR WOMEN
FIRST W-SPORT WITH FINANCIALSUCCESSFIRST W-SPORT WITH FINANCIALSUCCESS
TIES BETWEEN DISCRETIONARYINCOME, FREE TIME ANDPROFESSIONAL SPORTS.TIES BETWEEN DISCRETIONARYINCOME, FREE TIME ANDPROFESSIONAL SPORTS.
ORGANIZED, CONTROLLED ANDOWNED BY MEN.ORGANIZED, CONTROLLED ANDOWNED BY MEN.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AAGBL.WATCH “A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN:THE DOCUMENTARY” (1987) OR THE1992 BLOCKBUSTER “A LEAGUE OFTHEIR OWN” WITH TOM HANKS,GEENA DAVIS AND MADONNA.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AAGBL.WATCH “A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN:THE DOCUMENTARY” (1987) OR THE1992 BLOCKBUSTER “A LEAGUE OFTHEIR OWN” WITH TOM HANKS,GEENA DAVIS AND MADONNA.
CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OFTHE ALL AMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALLLEAGE AT www.aagpbl.orgCHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OFTHE ALL AMERICAN GIRLS BASEBALLLEAGE AT www.aagpbl.org