WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth softball team, in conjunction with the university's History and Anthropology Department, will welcome former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League star Ernestine ?Teeny' Petras to speak on campus on April 23. The event will be from 2:30 pm ? 4:00 pm in the Young Auditorium, located in room 113 in Bey Hall.
Petras was a gold glove shortstop in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was made famous by the 1992 film “A League of Their Own”, for ten years. The league was initially formed by Major League Baseball owners during World War II when the possibility of the game being shut down due to the war effort and players entering military service was a concern.
“The importance and legacy of what women like Ernestine Petras did for women in sport and society can not be overstated,” said Monmouth head softball coach Carol Sullivan. “Her pioneering spirit is as admirable as any play she made at shortstop while on the field. Our team is excited to meet this Hall of Famer and we look forward to welcoming her to Monmouth.”
Petras was a shortstop and played with various teams throughout her career including the Grand Rapids Chicks. She was the league's best defensive shortstop from 1945-47, and again in 1951 and completed a record 42 double plays in 1948 for the Chicks.
Petras will be discussing her role in opening the door to professional sports for women in the United States at the event. Monmouth University students and faculty are invited to this event, and the members of the Monmouth University softball team will assist in welcoming Petras.
“What they did helped to open doors for women in not only sports, but in all aspects of life,” said Monmouth University History and Anthropology Professor Susan Douglass. “Those women truly are pioneers and they foreshadowed a larger movement for women in life.”
Her appearance at Monmouth University is part of the teacher training workshop series organized by Professor Douglass. Contact Professor Douglass if you have any questions concerning this event at sdougla@monmouth.edu or by phone at 732-263-5509.
