Advertisement, Buisness Insider, 1953

Advertisemnet, Buisness Insider, 1964

One stand out player, Maud Nelson, helped form many teams. She played and coached. Still many people thought women were too delicate to play baseball or other sports. Albert G. Spalding, a pitcher and sporting goods store owner, considered baseball, “too strenuous for women.” ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Women have been playing baseball for nearly as long as men have.  In the late 1800’s, when women were struggling for equal rights, a team was started. They were called the Bloomer Girls. They played the game well and got paid for it. There were hundreds of  Bloomer Girl teams. These teams played for about 30 years and when the league ended, only a few teams held on. 

Bloomer Girls, 1890, History Colorado

Baseball is America’s pastime, it has been played since 1846. When people think of baseball in the 1900's they think of men throwing a white and red ball around a field. During this time many people wouldn’t think of women playing baseball. Some people would assume women should be at home cooking, taking care of the house, and watching the children.