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Clothing and Accessories
Women's Clothing
Uniforms
Sports and Recreation ➔ Sports Uniform (Reproduction)
Identifier:
2002.61.5a-cDescription:
This uniform is a reproduction of a baseball uniform from the Racine Belles which was a female baseball team that operated from 1943 to 1950. The team was based in Racine, Wisconsin and was one of the original teams that played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. They won the league's first championship in 1943.This uniform consists of four pieces that include a uniform dress, a belt, shorts, and cap number 2002.61.6. The dress is yellow and has a patch at the center front that reads "City of Racine Wisconsin". It also has an All-American Girls Baseball League patch on the proper left sleeve. The matching belt is brown and the brown shorts are made of satin.
Date:
2002Materials:
Cotton Twill, SatinDimensions:
35" h 31" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Museum PurchaseExhibit/Program:
Leagues of Their Own (2003)Related Entities:
K & P Weaver, LLC (creator)Alternate names: K and P Weaver, LLC
K & P Weaver is a supplier and manufacturer of athletic uniforms from the 19th and 20th century. Racine Belles (is related to)
The Racine Belles were one of the original baseball teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. They were located in Racine, Wisconsin and the club was formed in 1943. That same year they claimed the first championship title in the league's history. They won an additional championship title in 1946 but after a lack in finances, the club moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and became the Battle Creek Belles. They played in Battle Creek until 1952 and then moved to Muskegon, Michigan and became the Muskegon Belles.
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (is related to)Alternate names: All American Girls Professional Baseball League
During World War II, great numbers of young men were being drafted into the armed services leaving managers, owners and fans at Major League Baseball parks across the United States concerned. In danger of low attendance and lack of quality players, a girls’ softball league called the All-American Girls Softball (later Baseball) Professional League (AAGBBL) was formed to provide a solution. The League emerged in the spring of 1943 and continued until 1954.
Although by this time, women were participating in a variety of sports such as swimming, figure skating and cycling, baseball was considered a masculine pursuit. The AAGBBL maintained this traditional stance, recruiting women who were exceptional athletes, but insisting that they act as feminine as possible. For the first three years they attended charm school and required lipstick and hair be styled while on the field. They also were not allowed to smoke or drink in public and required a team chaperone. The AAGBBL uniform was also particularly feminine in its original long-skirt design. GRPM photos show that the skirt was shortened by the athletes who sometimes pinned or hemmed their uniforms to enable better mobility and speed on the field. The long skirt was not functional, but the short one also had its challenges. Despite these limitations, the AAGBBL athletes played strong and hard, breaking records and earning national recognition.
In Midwest communities such as Grand Rapids, Michigan, home to the AAGBBL team the Grand Rapids Chicks, the sport was immensely popular. Supported by leading business persons as spectator entertainment that was based on high moral and professional standards, the games attracted a diverse audience that appealed to all ages, classes and both sexes. The game was embraced as great family entertainment.
Due to a declining fan base and lack of financial support resulting from the changing post-WWII society, the League was forced to disband in 1954. During its 12-year history, over 600 young girls had an opportunity to play baseball for the AAGBBL at a professional level never seen before. The players had opportunities to develop their athletic skills, gain independence, travel, form long-lasting friendships and be role models for young women - all while getting paid to do it! The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League represents a unique aspect of the nation’s baseball history that changed the sport, but also the lives of women.
Works Cited:
“All-American Girls Baseball League, Archival Collection” #66 Finding Aid, Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections. 2004. Print
“League History ”Official Website of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Web. Accessed 8 June 2014. <http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/pages/league/12/league-history>
Jim Riekse (WZZM-TV 13). “The Girls of Summer”. Public Museum of Grand Rapids Magazine, Summer 1994. Print. K & P Weaver, LLC (sold by)
Alternate names: K and P Weaver, LLC
K & P Weaver is a supplier and manufacturer of athletic uniforms from the 19th and 20th century.
