league gave these women the chance to get out of poverty, and out of the working class. The experience of being professional athletes gave many players the confidence to strive for better lives. The self-assurance that the women developed playing ball liberated them both socially and economically, while also liberating some of their fans by their example. These women laid the groundwork for future women’s sports and professional women’s teams. They displayed an independence unheard of at that time, and they served as role models to their fans. For all of these reasons the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a significant part of women’s history. ...
