Philip Wrigley, of Wrigley Chewing Gum fame, owned Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs. In 1943 he was afraid that Major League Baseball would be cancelled because of World War II. If Major League Baseball was suspended because of the war, Wrigley wanted some way to keep the ballparks open and to help keep up the morale of the people during the war.
Major League baseball was not suspended, but Wrigley continued with his plan to start a girls softball league. In 1943, the All-American Girls Softball League (AAGSBL) was formed with four teams located in South Bend, Indiana, Rockford, Illinois, Racine, Wisconsin, and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Gradually the League made changes in playing rules. By 1945 the women were playing real baseball, and the name of the League was changed to The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Wrigley sold the League's franchise to Arthur Meyerhoff in 1945. By this time there were six teams, but by 1948-49 there were ten teams and two touring teams in the League. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League existed from 1943 to 1954.
More details about the history of the AAGPBL and what it was like playing in the League are written in my book, "A League of My Own." More information about the AAGPBL is available in the web sites listed below.
