A serviceable overview of the AAGPBL with a few anecdotes and background. ( )

A pretty fascinating book, though very lightly written - I checked multiple times to see if it said "ages 8 & up" anywhere, but finally had to conclude it was just VERY simply written, with hilarious sentences to link paragraphs (like things I wrote in college).

But it's amazing how much we don't know about the AAGPBL. For example, Sophie "Flint Flash" Kurys stole 201 bases in a season. Why don't we know her name like we know that of James "Cool Papa" Bell? (Don't all baseball fans know about James "Cool Papa" Bell? If not, oh jeez, what a world.)

Two documentaries about the AAGPBL were made in 1987. The first book on the subject was published in 1992. 1992! If not for the movie, "A League of Their Own" (which came out the same year), would we know anything about women in baseball?

Also: if this interests you, be sure to read "Bat 6", by Virginia Euwer Wolff. ( )

A readable account of an interesting chapter in women's history. The All American Girls Professional Baseball League gave women a chance to play they game they loved. When the men went off to fight overseas in World War II, women were encouraged to step up and take over the vacant jobs. They worked in factories and plants... and they played baseball. A Whole New Ball Game covers the development of the League, information about some specific players, daily life for the women in the League, and more. Tons of photos break up the text and it includes a several-page spread of many baseball cards from the League. An appendix with information about League teams and standings, a chronology, source notes, suggestions for further reading, and an index round out the book. An excellent choice for women's history month and any fans of A League of Their Own. ( )

Group B1