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NATIONAL GIRLS BASEBALL LEAGUE (NGBL)
1944-1954

In it's 11 seasons, the NGBL endorsed teams from Chicago and surrounding Forest Park and Des Plaines. Clubs took on names like the Chicago Bluebirds, Kandy Kids/Queens, Music Maids, and the Bloomer Girls. In competition with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the NGBL made great attempts to draw the best athletes, offering higher salaries and easier road game schedules. Such perks attracted the attention of many of the sport's greats like shortstop Jaime Deckard and sluggers Freda Savona and Pat Carson.

 

To broaden their popularity, the NGBL hired big names from men's professional sports to manage the league and the teams. Football legend Harold "Red" Grange was appointed league commissioner while baseball greats, the likes of Buck Weaver and Woody English, were recruited as team managers. During the late 1940's, the NGBL on average attracted 500,000 spectators each year. By 1954 the league had all but died out. Declining interest in women's softball caused many of the circuit's teams to dissolve.

CHAMPIONS

(1) The Rock-Ola Music Maids were declared champions as a result of finishing first during the regular season.  The playoffs to determine a league champion were never completed due to weather.

(2) Three teams were left in the league, a fourth (the Chicago All-Stars, later renamed the Jewels) was added mid-season.

SPONSORS

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