by xtra-innings » Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:05 pm
I wanted to share pix and info from last weekend's All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) reunion in San Diego. For those who didn't know, the AAGPBL holds a reunion at different cities each year. This year was San Diego's turn and their first appearance here. They were in San Diego from Oct. 19-24. Their ONLY public appearance was on board the USS Midway Saturday evening (6 PM-9:30 PM) where they were also showing the movie, "A League of Their Own". It was "rumored" only a handful would show (5 or 6 players) to sign autographs and participate in a Q&A before watching the movie with fans.
Well...to the surprise of many in attendance, a charter bus arrived about 5:45 PM and the ENTIRE group of players who were in town for the reunion were there (approx. 40 players). Not bad for a $10 ticket!! We were told before the gates opened that ALL of the players would be signing for one hour (6 PM-7 PM) and tables were set up for them.
When 6 PM rolled around, you entered the Midway and to the left where the airplane hangers were, there were four sections of tables set up, each with about 10 players each. Many of the players joked with fans and thanked them for coming out. Many shared stories and said there may not be to many more reunions because of the health and ages of the remaining players (players ranged in age from 71-92 years old) and only 204 living players remain.
The autograph lines ran a little slow as each player conversed with the fans and took their time signing. One player who was 92 years old had an AAGPBL associate helping them. She commented and joked with the fans by saying, "I may sign slow and it may be shaky but I ain't dead and I thank you for coming to see us."
This was truly a GREAT experience to meet these fascinating women and to see how much they STILL love the game. Shirley Burkovich (former player and AAGPBL Treasurer) said today's player had nothing on them when they were in their prime. It was not uncommon to pitch a double header on Sunday then go out on Tuesday and pitch a complete game. There were no specialty positions (i.e. set-up roles, DH) and said today's players are "babied too much". Not bad from a grandma who looks as if she could still handle the bat.
During the event, I took my League of Their Own Rockford Peaches jersey, a 50th Reunion stamped cachet, and a AAGPBL HOF bat. Because of the time it took to get through the lines for sigs, I managed to acquire 25 of the 40 players present (about 2 1/2 tables) before the signing session ended and it was movie time.
Next year's reunion is in Syracuse, NY which will include a stop at Cooperstown to visit and sign autographs. It will also mark the movie's 20th anniversary and their 25th anniversary of induction into the HOF. More info can be found on their website: http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm
Take a look at some of the pix and enjoy...
[size=150]I wanted to share pix and info from last weekend's All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) reunion in San Diego. For those who didn't know, the AAGPBL holds a reunion at different cities each year. This year was San Diego's turn and their first appearance here. They were in San Diego from Oct. 19-24. Their ONLY public appearance was on board the USS Midway Saturday evening (6 PM-9:30 PM) where they were also showing the movie, "A League of Their Own". It was "rumored" only a handful would show (5 or 6 players) to sign autographs and participate in a Q&A before watching the movie with fans.
Well...to the surprise of many in attendance, a charter bus arrived about 5:45 PM and the ENTIRE group of players who were in town for the reunion were there (approx. 40 players). Not bad for a $10 ticket!! We were told before the gates opened that ALL of the players would be signing for one hour (6 PM-7 PM) and tables were set up for them.
When 6 PM rolled around, you entered the Midway and to the left where the airplane hangers were, there were four sections of tables set up, each with about 10 players each. Many of the players joked with fans and thanked them for coming out. Many shared stories and said there may not be to many more reunions because of the health and ages of the remaining players (players ranged in age from 71-92 years old) and only 204 living players remain.
The autograph lines ran a little slow as each player conversed with the fans and took their time signing. One player who was 92 years old had an AAGPBL associate helping them. She commented and joked with the fans by saying, "I may sign slow and it may be shaky but I ain't dead and I thank you for coming to see us."
This was truly a GREAT experience to meet these fascinating women and to see how much they STILL love the game. Shirley Burkovich (former player and AAGPBL Treasurer) said today's player had nothing on them when they were in their prime. It was not uncommon to pitch a double header on Sunday then go out on Tuesday and pitch a complete game. There were no specialty positions (i.e. set-up roles, DH) and said today's players are "babied too much". Not bad from a grandma who looks as if she could still handle the bat.
During the event, I took my League of Their Own Rockford Peaches jersey, a 50th Reunion stamped cachet, and a AAGPBL HOF bat. Because of the time it took to get through the lines for sigs, I managed to acquire 25 of the 40 players present (about 2 1/2 tables) before the signing session ended and it was movie time.[/size]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001116.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001119.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001118.jpg[/img]
[size=150]Next year's reunion is in Syracuse, NY which will include a stop at Cooperstown to visit and sign autographs. It will also mark the movie's 20th anniversary and their 25th anniversary of induction into the HOF. More info can be found on their website: [url]http://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm[/url]
Take a look at some of the pix and enjoy...[/size]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001085.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001064.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001062.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001053.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001079.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee278/xtra-innings_authentics/Chargers%20Padres%20Thread/S5001066.jpg[/img]
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