Mary Geraldine (Bonnie) Baker, née George (July 10, 1918, Regina, Saskatchewan—December 17, 2003, Regina, Saskatchewan) was an all-star catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1943 to 1952. She also served as player-manager with the Kalamazoo Lassies in 1950, the only women in league history to do so. She was one of 64 Canadian players in the AAGPBL. Her sister, Gene McFaul, also played in the league for the L...
more
Mary Geraldine (Bonnie) Baker, née George (July 10, 1918, Regina, Saskatchewan—December 17, 2003, Regina, Saskatchewan) was an all-star catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1943 to 1952. She also served as player-manager with the Kalamazoo Lassies in 1950, the only women in league history to do so. She was one of 64 Canadian players in the AAGPBL. Her sister, Gene McFaul, also played in the league for the Lassies in 1948.
With the majority of major-league baseball players in the military during World War II, Phil Wrigley owner of the Chicago Cubs, established the AAGPBL in 1943. It continued play until 1954. The first year it played by softball rules, but the rules were gradually changed until they were nearly identical with professional baseball rules.
Saskatchewanian Mary Baker's eight brothers and sisters were all baseball catchers, so it stood to reason that Baker would become one too. When she joined the AAGPBL, she promised her husband,...
less