Today in Central PA Sports History - 1952
June 21, 1952
On this date fifty-eight years ago, accomplished local softball player and stenographer Eleanor Engle made history as she became the first woman to sign a professional baseball contract with a men's team when she accepted an offer from the Harrisburg Senators. Although viewed by some as a publicity stunt for the struggling Senators of the Class B Inter-State League, the team's administration was very serious in their intentions. General Manager Howard Gordon validated the signing when he said, "This was no gimmick or a gag to bolster attendance" and team president Dr. Jay Smith added, "She can hit the ball a lot better than some of the fellows on the club." Not everyone within the Senators' organization was in agreement with the signing though as player-manager Buck Etchison was wholeheartedly against it, "She’ll play when hell freezes over. I won’t have a girl playing for me. This is a no-woman’s land and believe me, I mean it.”
Prior to the next day's game, Engle (in photo with Ron Esrang and Joe Tuminelli) appeared in uniform and took part in the pregame drills before she ultimately watched the 9-4 loss to Lancaster from the press box in her street clothes. Engle would never get the chance to prove herself along side men during a game as the president of the National Association, George Trautman, with input from the Major League baseball commissioner Ford Frick would ban women from playing on the league's ballclubs (and effectively all professional baseball). Engle responded, “I think baseball is making a big mistake. I love the game. More women should be playing. I’m sure that I would have been able to remain as a player with the Senators. Why, women are good at a lot of things, like golf, politics, track and other sports. Why not baseball?”
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
On this date fifty-eight years ago, accomplished local softball player and stenographer Eleanor Engle made history as she became the first woman to sign a professional baseball contract with a men's team when she accepted an offer from the Harrisburg Senators. Although viewed by some as a publicity stunt for the struggling Senators of the Class B Inter-State League, the team's administration was very serious in their intentions. General Manager Howard Gordon validated the signing when he said, "This was no gimmick or a gag to bolster attendance" and team president Dr. Jay Smith added, "She can hit the ball a lot better than some of the fellows on the club." Not everyone within the Senators' organization was in agreement with the signing though as player-manager Buck Etchison was wholeheartedly against it, "She’ll play when hell freezes over. I won’t have a girl playing for me. This is a no-woman’s land and believe me, I mean it.”Prior to the next day's game, Engle (in photo with Ron Esrang and Joe Tuminelli) appeared in uniform and took part in the pregame drills before she ultimately watched the 9-4 loss to Lancaster from the press box in her street clothes. Engle would never get the chance to prove herself along side men during a game as the president of the National Association, George Trautman, with input from the Major League baseball commissioner Ford Frick would ban women from playing on the league's ballclubs (and effectively all professional baseball). Engle responded, “I think baseball is making a big mistake. I love the game. More women should be playing. I’m sure that I would have been able to remain as a player with the Senators. Why, women are good at a lot of things, like golf, politics, track and other sports. Why not baseball?”
Thanks for coming and suckling Daddy's Sugar Ball...
Posted by Max Power at 6/21/2010 7:00 AM 
Categories: Central PA Sports History
Tags: Dr. Jay Smith Eleanor Engle Joe Tuminelli Buck Etchison George Trautman Class B Inter-State League Howard Gordon National Association Ron Esrang Harrisburg Senators
Categories: Central PA Sports History
Tags: Dr. Jay Smith Eleanor Engle Joe Tuminelli Buck Etchison George Trautman Class B Inter-State League Howard Gordon National Association Ron Esrang Harrisburg Senators
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