Dorothy Kamenshek facts for kids

Dorothy "Dottie" "Kammie" Kamenshek (December 21, 1925 – May 17, 2010) was an American baseball player. She was famous for playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Dottie was a left-handed player, meaning she batted and threw with her left hand.

Who Was Dorothy Kamenshek?

Dorothy Kamenshek was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up playing softball in local leagues. When she was just 17, a scout from the new All-American Girls Professional Baseball League noticed her talent.

Joining the League

After trying out at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Dottie joined the Rockford Peaches. This was in 1943, when the league first started. She began as an outfielder. But soon, she became the team's first base player. Dottie and shortstop Snooky Harrell were a great team. They were known for making excellent double plays.

Her Amazing Baseball Career

Dottie Kamenshek played in the AAGPBL for 10 seasons. She was chosen for the All-Star team seven times. This was every time the league picked an All-Star team.

Top Batter

In 1946, Dottie was the league's best batter. She had a batting average of .316. This means she got a hit more than 31% of the times she was at bat. She won the top batter award again in 1947, with an average of .306. Dottie was very hard to strike out. She only struck out 81 times in 3,736 at-bat appearances.

Impressive Skills

Many people thought Dottie was one of the best athletes of her time. A men's baseball team from Fort Lauderdale, Florida even tried to recruit her. But Dottie believed they only wanted her for publicity. So, she turned down their offer. New York Yankee player Wally Pipp was very impressed by her. He said she was the most skilled player he had ever seen, male or female.

Life After Baseball

During the off-seasons, Dottie studied at the University of Cincinnati. She focused on physical education and health education. In 1951, back injuries made it hard for her to play as much. After the 1952 season, she retired from baseball. Her career batting average was .292.

A New Career

In 1958, Dottie earned a degree in physical therapy from Marquette University in Milwaukee. She returned to Ohio to work as a physical therapist. Later, she moved to Los Angeles. There, she worked for the Los Angeles Crippled Children's Services Department. In 1964, she became a supervisor. She oversaw physical and occupational therapy for Los Angeles County Children's Services. She later became chief of therapy services. Dottie held this position until she retired in 1980.

Legacy and Honors

After retiring from her therapy career, Dottie received an award. Los Angeles County gave her the Outstanding Management Award in 1980.

Baseball Hall of Fame

Dottie is part of the AAGPBL display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. This display opened in 1988. It honors the entire league, not just one player.

A League of Their Own

The 1992 film A League of Their Own helped share the story of women's baseball. Geena Davis played Dottie Hinson in the movie. This character, the best player in the league, was loosely based on Dorothy Kamenshek.

Other Recognitions

In 1999, Sports Illustrated for Women magazine honored Dottie. They named her the 100th greatest female athlete of the 20th century. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame.

Final Years

Dorothy Kamenshek passed away on May 17, 2010, at age 84. She was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Cathedral City) in Cathedral City, California.

Biographies

• Kammie on First (2014, Ohio University Press), by Michelle Houts, is a biography for middle school children.