Erma Bergmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erma Bergmann |
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| [All-American Girls Professional Baseball League] | |||
| Pitcher / Outfielder | |||
| Born: June 18, 1924 Saint Louis, Missouri |
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| Died: September 13, 2015 (aged 91) Saint Louis, Missouri |
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Erma M. "Bergie" Bergmann (June 18, 1924 – September 13, 2015) was an American baseball player. She was a talented pitcher and outfielder. Erma played from 1946 to 1951 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). She was known for her right-handed throwing and batting.
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Erma's Early Life and Baseball Start
Erma Bergmann was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She was one of three children in her family. Her mom wanted her to learn piano. But Erma loved playing sandlot ball more. She played with her two brothers and other kids.
When she was 14, Erma started playing third base. This was in the St. Louis Amateur Softball League. At 15, she played shortstop for a girls' softball team. She also pitched for a boys' baseball team. She even won ten games in a row! After eight years, a scout from the AAGPBL noticed her. He watched her for three years. Then, she signed a contract to play after she finished school.
Playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The AAGPBL was special. It was the only organized baseball for women. The league created a mix of softball and baseball rules. Over time, the rules changed. They became more like regular baseball. Erma was one of the few pitchers who could adapt. She pitched underhand, sidearm, and overhand.
Erma joined the league in 1946. She played for the Muskegon Lassies for two years. Then she played for the Springfield Sallies in 1948. After that, she joined the Racine Belles from 1949 to 1950. Her last team was the Battle Creek Belles in 1951.
Rookie Season Highlights
In her first year, Erma had a great start. She won 15 games and lost 16. Her earned run average (ERA) was 2.05. This was very good for the Lassies. She also played in the outfield. She hit for a .255 average in 50 games.
Her most exciting moment was hitting a home run. It happened in the ninth inning against the Rockford Peaches. Then, she pitched the rest of the game. She helped her team win with her parents watching.
A No-Hitter in Cuba
In 1947, the AAGPBL had spring training in Havana, Cuba. Erma was one of 200 girls who went. That year, she only played as a pitcher. She finished with 11 wins and 10 losses. Her ERA was a strong 1.74. She helped the Lassies win the pennant. On May 22, she pitched a no-hitter! This means no one on the other team got a hit. It was against the Grand Rapids Chicks.
Later Seasons and Challenges
For the rest of her career, Erma played on teams that struggled. This affected her win-loss record. In 1948, she won 9 games and lost 19. But her ERA was still decent at 3.05. In 1949, she went 11–14 with a 2.09 ERA. In 1950, she had an 11–14 record with a 2.68 ERA.
Her toughest year was 1951. She won 7 games and lost 18. She also led the league in losses. This was her last year in the AAGPBL. After that, Erma moved to Chicago. She played in another league, the National Girls Baseball League. She played there from 1952 to 1954. During this time, she pitched a 23-inning game. She also hit five singles in one game.
Life After Baseball
After her baseball career, Erma Bergmann became a police woman. She was one of the first women to join the police force in St. Louis. She worked for 25 years. She retired in 1981.
In 1988, Erma became part of "Women in Baseball." This is a special display. It is at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. It honors all the players of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Later, she was honored in other ways. In 1996, she joined the St. Louis Amateur Softball Hall of Fame. In 2007, she was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
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