All-American Girls Professional Baseball League ®
| Team | Position | Uniform # |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 Rockford Peaches | Second Base, Outfield, & Pitcher | 6 |
| 1954 Rockford Peaches | Pitcher, Outfield, Second Base, & Third Base | 6 |
Born and raised in Medford, Massachusetts, Sue played professional baseball after high school for the "Rockford Peaches", part of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, and, had an appearance in the 1992 Penny Marshall movie "A League Of Their Own." Along with all AAGPBL players, Sue was recognized by and became a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1988, and she was inducted into the Hingham High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. As the mother of three young children, Sue began playing tennis in the 70s. After attending Jack Barnaby's tennis instruction course at Harvard and Vic Braden's tennis college in California, Sue began her tennis teaching career in 1973 as Assistant Manager and teaching pro at Pilgrim Tennis Club in Kingston, MA. As a player, Sue achieved New England and national rankings in the 40+ division. She later established a tennis specialty shop on Cape Cod and became the first USRSA stringer in Massachusetts. In all, Sue has been actively involved in all aspects of tennis for over 40 years--from teaching, to organizing leagues and tournaments, to retail, to becoming a club owner.
A Florida resident since 1987 Sue presently lives in Englewood, where she and her son, Bob, have co-owned the Englewood Tennis Club since 1989. She was the FTA League Coordinator for USTA Junior Team Tennis in Region 5 prior to assuming the role of League Director for Team Tennis Junior League in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties (MSC). After funds were cut for middle school tennis in Sarasota county, working with USPTA pros and private facilities, she created a middle school league to fill the gap.
Sue served as a Board member for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association, as Chairman of the Recreation Commission in Marshfield, MA., and as President of the Placida Harbour Condominium Association in FL. She has three grown children, all presently residing in Florida, and six grandchildren. Benjamin Zipay of Osprey, the youngest at age 10, was a ranked USTA tournament player in 2013.
VENICE, FL — Sue Parsons Zipay, a beloved member of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), who proudly wore the uniform of the legendary Rockford Peaches, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025. She was 91.
Born in Medford, MA, Sue grew up with a glove in one hand and a bat in the other, forging her place in sports history at a time when women’s professional athletics were still fighting for recognition. In 1953, she joined the Rockford Peaches—the team later immortalized in the film A League of Their Own—where her dedication, skill, and love of the game inspired teammates and fans alike.
Though her professional baseball career spanned only a few seasons, Sue remained deeply connected to the AAGPBL throughout her life. She was a passionate ambassador for women’s sports, traveling to reunions, speaking at schools and community events, and working tirelessly to ensure the accomplishments of her fellow players would never be forgotten.
Determined to make sure young women had more opportunities than her generation did, Sue founded American Girls Baseball (AGB) in 2019. AGB was created to benefit all-female baseball players who want the choice between softball and baseball, and to provide them with meaningful opportunities to train, participate, and compete in the game of baseball at every level—including high school, college, and professional. To carry this dream forward, AGB launched the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic, a national tournament celebrating female athletes of all ages and skill levels. The fourth annual Classic will be held August 1–3, 2025, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina—a testament to her vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in the future of women’s baseball.
Sue’s life off the field was as full as her time on it. She married and raised a family, enjoyed a long career in business, and delighted in mentoring generations of young athletes. Her warmth, humor, and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Sue’s contributions were honored when she was recognized at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as part of the permanent AAGPBL exhibit. Even in her later years, she remained an ardent supporter of efforts to ensure that girls and women could see themselves on the diamond and dream big.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, extended family, and a wide circle of dear friends and admirers across the country.
A celebration of Sue’s remarkable life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Girls Baseball, the organization Sue helped lead to build a future
where girls and women can thrive in the sport she loved, at https://americangirlsbaseball.org/support-american-girls-baseball-donate-today/.
There truly was never—and will never be—another like her.
Author: Unknown
Contributed By: Michelle Greene
Copyright: Michelle Greene