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The Girls of Summer: Rockford Peaches
I'm listening to the soundtrack from the 1992 baseball movie A
League of Their Own featuring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell,
and Madonna. My favorite track on the CD is number 10: The Final Game performed
by Hans Zimmer. In the movie, this track was the instrumental backdrop music
to the climatic events of the movie — a winning baseball game for an
all-women baseball team.
A League of Their Own was based on the real-life story of the Rockford
Peaches, one of the charter teams of the All American Girls Baseball League
from 1943 to 1954. This classic American story is not only entertaining, but
moving.
 I
had the opportunity to visit the Midway Museum in Rockford, Illinois, to see
an exhibit about the Rockford Peaches. Greeting visitors at the exhibit entrance
was a sign that read:
"World War II touched every part of life in the United States. This
included baseball, the 'national pastime.' To keep people interested in the
game while many of its best players were in the army, chewing gum businessman
and Chicago Cubs owner Phillip Wrigley started a professional women's baseball
league. The 'All-American Girls Professional Baseball League' (or AAGPBL)
lasted from 1943 until 1954.
The Rockford Peaches was one of the first four teams in the league. Other
teams were started in Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, and South Bend, Indiana.
At its peak in 1948 the league had 10 teams across the Midwest.
The Peaches was one of the league's best teams, winning the championship
4 times. They played in Rockford for all 12 years of the league's existence.
Only one other team played in its original city for all 12 years. Interest
in the AAGPBL declined after 1948 and the league struggled financially until
1954 when it was discontinued."
 The
exhibit was also moving, as it featured photos of the team players, some authentic
equipment, and the original documentary video, A League of Their Own that
inspired the Hollywood movie.
The video played continuously in the exhibit corner and brought to life snippets
from yesteryear: game highlights with women baseball players sliding into bases
with their skirtish-bottoms and exposed legs. It also featured interviews from
players (then and now) and the nostalgic perspective we can only get from looking
back on history from our 21st century.
It's too bad that the AAGPBL was discontinued due to lack of interest after
the second world war. I suppose that's what makes revisiting this unique timestamp
in history even more special. More so, I fully appreciate why they are referred
to as being in a league of their own. I wonder if we'll ever see something
like the AAGPBL brought to life again, and this time, without being a stand-in
for they guys.
By the way, my second favorite song on the CD is track number 11: The
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Song performed by The
Rockford Peaches. It begins "Batter all, hear that call. The time has
come for one and all... To play ball." •
All AAGPL images were taken at the Midway Museum Center
in Rockford, Illinois, and are copyright of the Museum.
On the Web
All-American
Girls Professional Baseball League
"League History, photos, articles, and other resources related to the League
and the women who played in it."
The
Diamond Angle
"Magazine covering all of the baseball has archived interviews with several
AAGPBL players (click on interviews)."
Northern
Indiana Center for History
"Official repository for the AAGPBL Players Association. The museum has
a permanent exhibit on the League, and an extensive archive of documents and
photos."
Midway
Village (Rockford, Illinois)
Museum with "The Girls of Summer" exhibit of the Rockford Peaches.
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