The fourth Women’s Baseball Classic took place at the home of the Durham Bulls in North Carolina August 1st - 4th.  Once again four teams representing the four original AAGPBL teams took the field, but this time without the woman who imagined and brought the event to life.  Sue Zipay, a Rockford Peach, and founder of American Girls Baseball passed away in July.  Her vision and dedication were honored throughout the event.  A short film crafted by the Emmy Award winning Kenosha County team, was shown on the jumbo screen each day of the event.  On the field, 76 women competed together in the sport they love wearing memorial bracelets and patches.

For the first time, the Classic served as an identification event for future Women’s National Team programming, with USA baseball taking an important role in the event. The action broadcast live on MLBTV. The teams were formed just for the weekend, but spectators still witnessed defensive gems in the form of double plays and pickoffs, In addition to great displays of individual skills.  The loudest hit of the tournament came from Mia Kruspe from Lake Worth Beach Florida when she hit the ball high off the Bulls monster wall in left field in the final game. The teams played each other over the three days, with no team running the table, and no team going winless.  The Racine Belles, defeated the South Bend Blue Sox in the final game to match their record (2-1) and take the head to head tie breaker.  Sue Zipay’s son and grandson, represented her on the field alongside her fellow AAGPBL players in awarding the winners medals. https://www.usabaseball.com/news/belles-crowned-champions-on-final-day-of-all-american-women-s-baseball-classic

Behind the scenes, the four teams had the opportunity to meet the eight former All American Professionals throughout the event.  Players also served as mentors at a PLAY BALL clinic held on Friday morning at DBAP.  This free introductory clinic was held for area youth ranging from four to 12 years old.

The AAGPBL – players association players, family members and associate members held their annual reunion in conjunction with the tournament.  The reunion was highlighted by the annual banquet featuring a special keynote speech from Patti Pelton who played second baseman Marbleann Wilkenson in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own.  She shared how important that role was to her as a life-long baseball fan.

Anyone can become an associate or student member of the AAGPBL-PA and attend next reunion to celebrate women’s professional baseball past and present.