Agnes Allen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agnes Allen |
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| All-American Girls Professional Baseball League | |||
| Pitcher / Outfield | |||
| Born: September 21, 1930 Alvord, Iowa |
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| Died: February 24, 2012 (aged 81) Flandreau, South Dakota |
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Agnes Lorraine "Aggie" Allen (born September 21, 1930 – died February 24, 2012) was a talented baseball player. She played as a pitcher (who throws the ball) and an outfielder (who catches balls in the field). Agnes was part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1950 to 1953. She was 5 feet 3 inches tall and threw and batted with her right hand.
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Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Agnes Allen was born in Alvord, Iowa. She was one of five children in her family. From a young age, her father taught her how to throw a baseball. They often played catch together.
As a teenager, Agnes played baseball with her father and two older brothers. Her brothers were semi-professional pitchers, which means they played baseball at a high level, but not as a full-time job. They taught Agnes how to throw different types of pitches, like a fastball, a changeup, and a curveball.
Agnes went to St. Mary's High School in Larchwood. There, she started playing organized softball and basketball. She learned about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from a local newspaper. She convinced her father to take her to a tryout in Cedar Rapids. After that, she was invited to another tryout at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where she successfully joined the league!
Playing Professional Baseball
Agnes Allen started her professional baseball career in 1950 with the Springfield Sallies. As a pitcher, she won 9 games and lost 5. She also had a batting average of .179. A special moment for her was pitching a game at the famous old Yankee Stadium. She even met the legendary baseball manager, Connie Mack.
In 1951, Agnes moved to the Kalamazoo Lassies. For a short time that season, she played five games for the Battle Creek Belles. She then returned to Kalamazoo. Overall that year, she won 3 games and lost 10.
The next season, 1952, Agnes had some trouble controlling her pitches. So, she started playing more in the outfield instead of pitching. In 1953, her last season, she improved a lot. She won 10 games and lost 9, showing her growth as a player.
Life After Baseball
After her baseball career, Agnes Allen went to Western Michigan University. She became a teacher for three years. Later, she worked as a physical therapist. This means she helped people recover from injuries or illnesses by guiding them through exercises.
She worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which is a very famous hospital. She also worked for other health systems before becoming a self-employed physical therapist.
Retirement and Recognition
Agnes Allen retired after working for 35 years. In her free time, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a ladies' golf league.
In 1988, Agnes became part of something very special. She was included in the Women in Baseball exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. This permanent display was created to honor all the women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. It celebrates their amazing contributions to baseball history.
Agnes Allen passed away in Flandreau, South Dakota, when she was 81 years old.
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