A Special Exhibit Honoring
Women in Baseball — Featuring
the Ladies of the AAGPBL!

By the fall of 1942, World War II had caused many minor league teams to disband. Young men were being drafted into the armed services, and many feared the worst for Major League Baseball. Philip K. Wrigley, the chewing-gum mogul who had inherited the Chicago Cubs franchise from his father, searched for a possible solution to this dilemma.

The answer was to establish a league, comprised of the best women’s softball players from across the country, which would carry on the tradition of America’s pastime. This new organization would be known as the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and would operate from 1943 through 1954.

The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame along with Cranks Rooters & Fans, the AAGPBL, and the Northern Indiana Center for History invite you to journey back to a time when a woman’s place was at home... at first, at second, and at third! This is your ticket to the Bluebonnet Belles exhibit!

Beginning September 28 through November 26 we will unveil the Bluebonnet Belles exhibit, honoring women in baseball and featuring our very own Texas Diamonds: Alva Jo “Tex” Fischer, Ruth “Tex” Lessing, and Marie “Red” Mahoney!

Experience the evolution of the All-Americans league, from its softball origins through the changes in baseball size, field dimensions, and even the league name. Learn about the pioneers of women's baseball from Vassar College to the Bloomer Girls. See items from the National Girls Baseball League, the Chicago-based league that was a rival of the AAGPBL.

"Dirt in the skirt." One look at these lovely uniforms and you can see there was no doubt that these ballplayers were All-American girls. Although the short skirts may have helped bring folks to the park, it was their excellent brand of baseball that kept the fans coming back.

AAGPBL Reunion: November 8–11 is the first ever AAGPBL reunion in Houston! We have all sorts of activities planned, so y’all come and join in the fun with the Girls of Summer.

Book Fair: Join us on November 12 from 1pm–3pm for the TBHOF & Cranks Book Fair. Come and see the Bluebonnet Belles exhibit and meet the ladies of the AAGPBL. We also have some special guests from A League of Their Own who will be on hand to visit with the fans.

"Bluebonnet Belles" Exhibit Schedule
Host: Cranks Rooters & Fans 26710 I-45 North (281) 419-3363
Dates: September 28–November 26, 2006
Times: Thursday–Friday: 5 pm–8 pm, Saturday: 10 am–8 pm, Sunday: 1 pm–8 pm.
The exhibit is also open for viewing at other times by appointment.

AAGPBL Reunion: November 8–11 at the Downtown DoubleTree hotel.

Book Fair: November 12, 1pm–3pm at Cranks Rooters & fans
Proceeds will benefit the Texas Baseball Hall Of Fame and the AAGPBL..
“Preserving History... Celebrating Excellence... Baseball Forever.”

The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame would like to offer a very special thanks to our exhibit host and sponsor Cranks Rooters & Fans! Cranks is a sports entertainment and business center that provides a unique environment for groups of up to 100 people. Founded by life-long collector Paul Bohannon, the center houses a very nice collection of autographs and memorabilia from various sports, with a special focus on baseball. For directions and further information about our host facility, please visit the Cranks Rooters & Fans site or call (281) 419-3363.

We also want to thank the wonderful folks at the Northern Indiana Center for History in South Bend, IN for loaning many of the amazing artifacts seen in the Bluebonnet Belles exhibit. Thanks to Jennifer Johns and Scott Shuler for generously giving their time and experience. The Center for History is the national repository for AAGPBL artifacts, photographs, and documents. For more information, call (574) 235-9664 or visit the Center for History website.

For all other questions, please contact our Director of Operations, George Scroggins.