Charlene Pryer
Encyclopedia
Charlene Barbara Pryer [Mayer] (September 24, 1921 - June 3, 1999) was a female utility
in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
, playing mainly at second base and center field from through . Listed at 5' 1", 105 lb., Pryer batted and threw right-handed. She was nicknamed Shorty amongst her friends and family members because of his slight build and minuscule stature.
Charlene Pryer is recognized as one of the fastest baserunners
of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in its twelve years of existence. An All-Star at second base, she also led all outfielders in fielding percentage
in a single season and topped the circuit in stolen base
s for two consecutive years. In a career that spanned seven seasons, she was a member of two championship teams while hitting a .255 average with 510 stolen bases in 704 games, including single-season leads in hits
and in runs scored
.
The AAGPBL flourished in the 1940s when the Major Leagues
went on hold as men went to World War II
. The circuit operated from 1943 to 1954 and gave over 600 women athletes the opportunity to play professional baseball and to play it at a level never before attained. Since the only organized ball for women in the country was softball
, the AAGPBL created a hybrid game which included both softball and baseball. Over the twelve years of history of the league, the rules were gradually modified to more closely resemble baseball, progressively changing the pitching styles
, extending the length of the base paths and pitching distance and decreasing the size of the ball until the final year of play.
, Pryer was the daughter of Willard Pryer, a minor league
pitcher who played in the early 1940s for the Fargo-Moorhead Twins
of the Northern League. Besides teaching her basic baseball fundamentals, Pryer's father also taught her that hard work and determination were key to success. Following her school graduation, Pryer joined the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1944, entertaining troops as a singer with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra
. Notably, she also was one of the first female disc jockey
s in the United States. After serving in the military for 28 months she became a ballplayer in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
, playing for them through the 1950 midseason before joining the Kalamazoo Lassies
(1950) and South Bend Blue Sox
(1950–1952). In her rookie season, she hit .202 in 108 games, including 77 hits and 18 runs batted in while scoring 64 times. Considering the AAGPBL was using underhand pitching
and a ball with a 11-inch circumference, her numbers were quite respectable. In 1947 Pryer improved to .249 (105-for-422) in 108 games, scoring 51 runs while driving in 20 more. In addition, she was voted the best outfielder in the league with a fielding average of .995.
Pryer increased her numbers in 1948, when the league switched to overhand pitching. She raised her average to a solid .262 (107-for-406), scoring 70 runs with 29 RBI in 112 games, but missed most of the 1949 season after suffering a severely broken ankle while sliding on a base. At the time of her injury, she was batting .235 with 56 runs and 10 RBI in 76 game appearances.
In 1950 Pryer returned to the Lassies. She started the year in Muskegon, moved with the team to Kalamazoo during the midseason, and landed in South Bend late in the year. But she was still finding ways to improve her game, regardless of moving to different towns, bolstering her average to .269 (115-for-497) with 75 runs and 25 RBI, while matching her season-high of 112 games.
Pryer had her most productive season in 1951, when she posted career-numbers with a .312 average, 133 hits, 106 runs, 32 RBI and 129 stolen bases in 109 games, leading the league in hits, runs and steals, while ranking seventh to Betty Foss
of the Fort Wayne Daisies
, who won the batting crown with a .368 average. Pryer capped her big season with an All-Star Team
selection and a championship title with the Blue Sox. With Karl Winsch
at the helm, South Bend combined strong pitching with good hitting, collecting a 76-36 record in the regular season, then defeating Fort Wayne in the first round of the playoffs, two to one games. In the best-of-five series, South Bench clinched the title over the Rockford Peaches
after overcoming a 2-0 deficit. In addition to the standout pitching of Jean Faut
, who won 15 games during the regular season and four more in the two playoffs, Pryer averaged .357 in South Bend's final three victories.
Winsch, after a positive season, became more demanding of his players. Dissension within the South Bend team peaked just before the 1952 season ended, when Pryer was disciplined following a dispute with Winsch. The incident occurred when he suspended Pryer from the team after she responded slowly to his order to pinch-run
late in a game. In protest, five South Bend teammates joined Pryer in a walkout, leaving Winsch's team short-handed for the playoffs. Pryer was reinstated at the club, but she decided to retire for good. That season she stole a league-high 59 bases, despite appearing in only 79 games. She added a .239 average and drove in 18 runs while scoring 41 times.
, she worked as a school truant officer and playground assistant for Medford School District 549C for more than 25 years, retiring in 1994. As a campus monitor and attendance investigative officer, she also worked at recesses, becoming a forward on the basketball court, a running back on the gridiron, or reprising her role as player on the baseball field by coaxing speedy runs, strong swings and artful catches from hundreds of students. She also managed to referee, coach and make sure everyone minded their manners. Besides her passion for music and sports, she served as a Rogue Valley Medical Center
auxiliary volunteer and was a member of the Christ Unity Church
in Medford.
Charlene died in her home of Medford at the age of 77. In October 1999, four months after her death, the Wilson Elementary School officially dedicated its baseball field in her honor. She also is part of the AAGPBL permanent display inaugurated at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York
in 1988, which is dedicated to the entire league rather than any individual player.
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
, playing mainly at second base and center field from through . Listed at 5' 1", 105 lb., Pryer batted and threw right-handed. She was nicknamed Shorty amongst her friends and family members because of his slight build and minuscule stature.
Charlene Pryer is recognized as one of the fastest baserunners
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in its twelve years of existence. An All-Star at second base, she also led all outfielders in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
in a single season and topped the circuit in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s for two consecutive years. In a career that spanned seven seasons, she was a member of two championship teams while hitting a .255 average with 510 stolen bases in 704 games, including single-season leads in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and in runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
.
The AAGPBL flourished in the 1940s when the Major Leagues
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
went on hold as men went to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The circuit operated from 1943 to 1954 and gave over 600 women athletes the opportunity to play professional baseball and to play it at a level never before attained. Since the only organized ball for women in the country was softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, the AAGPBL created a hybrid game which included both softball and baseball. Over the twelve years of history of the league, the rules were gradually modified to more closely resemble baseball, progressively changing the pitching styles
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
, extending the length of the base paths and pitching distance and decreasing the size of the ball until the final year of play.
Early life
A native of Watsonville, CaliforniaWatsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
, Pryer was the daughter of Willard Pryer, a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
pitcher who played in the early 1940s for the Fargo-Moorhead Twins
Fargo-Moorhead Twins
The Fargo-Moorhead Twins were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1933 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1960. They played in the Northern League and were affiliated with the Cleveland Indians from 1934 to 1940 and from 1953 to 1957, the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1947 to 1948 and the New York...
of the Northern League. Besides teaching her basic baseball fundamentals, Pryer's father also taught her that hard work and determination were key to success. Following her school graduation, Pryer joined the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1944, entertaining troops as a singer with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra
Dick Jurgens
Dick Henry Jurgens was an American swing music bandleader, who enjoyed great popularity in the late 1930s and early 1940s....
. Notably, she also was one of the first female disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
s in the United States. After serving in the military for 28 months she became a ballplayer in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
AAGPBL career
Pryer entered the league in 1946 with the expansion Muskegon LassiesMuskegon Lassies
The Muskegon Lassies were one of the expansion teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in , representing Muskegon, Michigan. The team played their home games at Marsh Field....
, playing for them through the 1950 midseason before joining the Kalamazoo Lassies
Kalamazoo Lassies
The Kalamazoo Lassies were a team who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The team represented Kalamazoo, Michigan. Home games were initially played at Lindstrom Field, but later games were played at the Catholic Athletic Association Field, now the...
(1950) and South Bend Blue Sox
South Bend Blue Sox
The South Bend Blue Sox were a women's professional baseball team who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
(1950–1952). In her rookie season, she hit .202 in 108 games, including 77 hits and 18 runs batted in while scoring 64 times. Considering the AAGPBL was using underhand pitching
Fastpitch softball
Fast-pitch softball is a form of softball played commonly by women and men, though coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. The International Softball Federation is the international governing body of softball...
and a ball with a 11-inch circumference, her numbers were quite respectable. In 1947 Pryer improved to .249 (105-for-422) in 108 games, scoring 51 runs while driving in 20 more. In addition, she was voted the best outfielder in the league with a fielding average of .995.
Pryer increased her numbers in 1948, when the league switched to overhand pitching. She raised her average to a solid .262 (107-for-406), scoring 70 runs with 29 RBI in 112 games, but missed most of the 1949 season after suffering a severely broken ankle while sliding on a base. At the time of her injury, she was batting .235 with 56 runs and 10 RBI in 76 game appearances.
In 1950 Pryer returned to the Lassies. She started the year in Muskegon, moved with the team to Kalamazoo during the midseason, and landed in South Bend late in the year. But she was still finding ways to improve her game, regardless of moving to different towns, bolstering her average to .269 (115-for-497) with 75 runs and 25 RBI, while matching her season-high of 112 games.
Pryer had her most productive season in 1951, when she posted career-numbers with a .312 average, 133 hits, 106 runs, 32 RBI and 129 stolen bases in 109 games, leading the league in hits, runs and steals, while ranking seventh to Betty Foss
Betty Foss
Betty Foss [Fossey] was a infielder and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 10", 180 lb., she was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. She started her career as Betty Weaver but changed her last name to Foss after marrying...
of the Fort Wayne Daisies
Fort Wayne Daisies
The Fort Wayne Daisies were a women's professional baseball team that played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League...
, who won the batting crown with a .368 average. Pryer capped her big season with an All-Star Team
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League All-Star Team
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball circuit which existed for twelve seasons from through ....
selection and a championship title with the Blue Sox. With Karl Winsch
Karl Winsch
Karl Edgar Winsch was a pitcher and manager in Minor league baseball. Listed at 5' 10", 180 lb., Winsch batted and threw right-handed....
at the helm, South Bend combined strong pitching with good hitting, collecting a 76-36 record in the regular season, then defeating Fort Wayne in the first round of the playoffs, two to one games. In the best-of-five series, South Bench clinched the title over the Rockford Peaches
Rockford Peaches
The Rockford Peaches were a team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League playing out of Rockford, Illinois for the entire existence of the league from 1943 to 1954....
after overcoming a 2-0 deficit. In addition to the standout pitching of Jean Faut
Jean Faut
Jean Anna Faut [Winsch/Eastman] is a former female starting pitcher who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 137 lb., she batted and threw right handed....
, who won 15 games during the regular season and four more in the two playoffs, Pryer averaged .357 in South Bend's final three victories.
Winsch, after a positive season, became more demanding of his players. Dissension within the South Bend team peaked just before the 1952 season ended, when Pryer was disciplined following a dispute with Winsch. The incident occurred when he suspended Pryer from the team after she responded slowly to his order to pinch-run
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
late in a game. In protest, five South Bend teammates joined Pryer in a walkout, leaving Winsch's team short-handed for the playoffs. Pryer was reinstated at the club, but she decided to retire for good. That season she stole a league-high 59 bases, despite appearing in only 79 games. She added a .239 average and drove in 18 runs while scoring 41 times.
Life after baseball
Following her baseball retirement, Pryer married Jack Stuart Mayer, who died in 1993. The couple had a daughter, a son and three granddaughters. A long time resident of Medford, OregonMedford, Oregon
Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a total population of 74,907 and a metropolitan area population of 207,010, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon...
, she worked as a school truant officer and playground assistant for Medford School District 549C for more than 25 years, retiring in 1994. As a campus monitor and attendance investigative officer, she also worked at recesses, becoming a forward on the basketball court, a running back on the gridiron, or reprising her role as player on the baseball field by coaxing speedy runs, strong swings and artful catches from hundreds of students. She also managed to referee, coach and make sure everyone minded their manners. Besides her passion for music and sports, she served as a Rogue Valley Medical Center
Rogue Valley Medical Center
Rogue Valley Medical Center, or RVMC, is a regional medical center located in Medford, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1958, and currently has 378 beds. It is one of two hospitals in Medford, the other being Providence Medford Medical Center...
auxiliary volunteer and was a member of the Christ Unity Church
Unity Church
Unity, known informally as Unity Church, is a religious movement within the wider New Thought movement and is best known to many through its Daily Word devotional publication...
in Medford.
Charlene died in her home of Medford at the age of 77. In October 1999, four months after her death, the Wilson Elementary School officially dedicated its baseball field in her honor. She also is part of the AAGPBL permanent display inaugurated at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
in 1988, which is dedicated to the entire league rather than any individual player.