Ellen Ahrndt
Encyclopedia
Ellen Ahrndt [Babe] was a second basewoman who played briefly in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
during the season. Ahrndt batted and threw right-handed. Sometimes she is credited as Ellen Proefrock.
, Ahrndt was one of seven children into the family of Edward and Helen (née: Patzke) Ahrndt. She grew up in a family farm in Racine, and spent her leisure time playing baseball with two of her sisters while her only brother was the manager
.
At age 14, Ahrndt played softball
in Racine and small towns around the area, and the state tournament was held in Milwaukee. She attended William Horlick High School
, where she earned honors both in softball and basketball
. She graduated in 1941, but did not lose interest in baseball. While playing softball, she received an invitation to come to the newly founded All-American Girls Professional Baseball League tryouts, which were to be held at Wrigley Field
in Chicago, Illinois. With the prospect of making the $60 per week that was being paid to the members of the established teams, which was a vast sum of money by then, she decided to try her hand in the new league. She managed to win the job at second base with the South Bend Blue Sox
for the 1944 season.
, the Blue Sox decided to honor her with a homecoming night. The Dumore Corporation sponsored the event creating a Babe Ahrndt Night at the field. Nevertheless, the next season she was not offered a contract.
Following her short AAGPBL stint, Ahrndt returned to Racine, where she married with William Proefrock in 1947.
Ahrndt died on the date of her 87th birthday.
and Evansville, Indiana
.
The family had lived in Racine, WI
, Mount Vernon, IL
, Bloomington, IL
, Jacksonville, IL
, and Pittsfield, IL
, before moving to Brodhead, WI
in 1973.
Ellen loved to quilt, fish and make pies for friends and family, and her high rated recipes can be found online.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a grandson, her five sisters and her brother.
.
In 1992
, filmmaker Penny Marshall
premiered her film A League of Their Own
, which was a fiction
alized account of activities in the AAGPBL. Starring Geena Davis
, Tom Hanks
, Madonna
, Lori Petty
and Rosie O'Donnell
, this film brought a rejuvenated interest to the women's baseball. Ahrndt received many writeups after the film gained cult status, being asked to speak to school children and grownups in different clubs.
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:...
during the season. Ahrndt batted and threw right-handed. Sometimes she is credited as Ellen Proefrock.
Early life
A native of Racine, WisconsinRacine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, Ahrndt was one of seven children into the family of Edward and Helen (née: Patzke) Ahrndt. She grew up in a family farm in Racine, and spent her leisure time playing baseball with two of her sisters while her only brother was the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
.
At age 14, Ahrndt played 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...
in Racine and small towns around the area, and the state tournament was held in Milwaukee. She attended William Horlick High School
William Horlick High School
William Horlick High School is a comprehensive public four-year high school in Racine, Wisconsin with an enrollment of approximately 2,200 students. The school opened to students in 1928, after William Horlick, the original patent holder for malted milk, donated the land the school was built on...
, where she earned honors both in softball and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. She graduated in 1941, but did not lose interest in baseball. While playing softball, she received an invitation to come to the newly founded All-American Girls Professional Baseball League tryouts, which were to be held at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago, Illinois. With the prospect of making the $60 per week that was being paid to the members of the established teams, which was a vast sum of money by then, she decided to try her hand in the new league. She managed to win the job at second base with the 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...
for the 1944 season.
Professional career
Ahrndt saw action in just three games. Once when South Bend came to Racine to face the BellesRacine Belles
The Racine Belles were one of the original teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League playing from through out of Racine, Wisconsin. The team played its home games at Horlick Field.-History:...
, the Blue Sox decided to honor her with a homecoming night. The Dumore Corporation sponsored the event creating a Babe Ahrndt Night at the field. Nevertheless, the next season she was not offered a contract.
Following her short AAGPBL stint, Ahrndt returned to Racine, where she married with William Proefrock in 1947.
Ahrndt died on the date of her 87th birthday.
Personal life
Ellen and her husband had two sons, Kurt and Kipp, and both centered their interest in the family. They also were partners in the Just for Him and Her clothing stores in Brodhead, WisconsinBrodhead, Wisconsin
Brodhead is a city in Green and Rock Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census. In February 2000, the city annexed a portion of land from the Town of Spring Valley in Rock County.-History:...
and Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
.
The family had lived in Racine, WI
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, Mount Vernon, IL
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon is a city located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. In the 2010 census, the city's reported population was 15,277 people....
, Bloomington, IL
Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States and the county seat. It is adjacent to Normal, Illinois, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
, Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
, and Pittsfield, IL
Pittsfield, Illinois
Pittsfield is a city in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,211 at the 2000 census.-History:The city was named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It is the county seat of Pike County...
, before moving to Brodhead, WI
Brodhead, Wisconsin
Brodhead is a city in Green and Rock Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,180 at the 2000 census. In February 2000, the city annexed a portion of land from the Town of Spring Valley in Rock County.-History:...
in 1973.
Ellen loved to quilt, fish and make pies for friends and family, and her high rated recipes can be found online.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a grandson, her five sisters and her brother.
Facts
The AAGPBL folded in 1954, but there is now a permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum since November 5, that honors those who were part of this unforgettable experience. Ahrndt, along with the rest of the AAGPBL players, is now enshrined in the venerable building at Cooperstown, New YorkCooperstown, 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 1992
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
, filmmaker Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall is an American actress, producer and director.After playing several small roles for television, she was cast as Laverne DeFazio in the sitcom Laverne and Shirley...
premiered her film A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
, which was a fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
alized account of activities in the AAGPBL. Starring Geena Davis
Geena Davis
Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis is an American actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and a women's Olympics archery team semi-finalist...
, Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Lori Petty
Lori Petty
Lori Petty is an American film and television actress best known for playing "Tyler Endicott" in Point Break in 1991, "Kit Keller" in A League of Their Own in 1992, and the title role in Tank Girl in 1995.-Early life:...
and Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
, this film brought a rejuvenated interest to the women's baseball. Ahrndt received many writeups after the film gained cult status, being asked to speak to school children and grownups in different clubs.