Kay Blumetta
Encyclopedia
Catherine Kay Blumetta [Swish] (May 1, 1923 - April 25, 1997) was an utility
who played for six different clubs in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
between the and seasons. Listed at 5'8", 150 lb., she batted and threw right handed.
Born in North Plainfield, New Jersey
, Blumetta was a solid and dependable player who appeared in eleven out of twelve seasons of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She entered the league in 1944 with the expansion Minneapolis Millerettes
, playing for them briefly before joining the Milwaukee Chicks
during the midseason. She divided her playing time at first base and outfield
, and was a member of the Milwaukee team that won the pennant that year. But she moved around for a while, as the AAGPBL shifted players as needed to help teams stay afloat.
In 1945 Blumetta played for the Grand Rapids Chicks
and then found herself on the move again, this time to the Peoria Redwings
(1946–1947), and then the Fort Wayne Daisies
(1947–1950), before landing with the Kalamazoo Lassies
for the rest of her career (1951–1954). She began pitching sidearm in 1946, until overhand pitching became effective in 1948 through the final season in 1954.
In 1948, Blumetta enjoyed her most productive season as a pitcher when she posted a 14-13 record with Fort Wayne. Often used as a pinch-hitter when she was not pitching, she also was used in the outfield for defensive purposes. In addition, she was a member of the 1954 Champions Lassies, during what turned out to be the league’s final season.
Since 1988, Blumetta and the other AAGPBL players form part of the permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York
, which is dedicated to the entire league rather than any individual player.
Blumetta died in her homeland of North Plainfield, New Jersey, at the age of 73.
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....
who played for six different clubs 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:...
between the and seasons. Listed at 5'8", 150 lb., she batted and threw right handed.
Born in North Plainfield, New Jersey
North Plainfield, New Jersey
North Plainfield is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 21,936....
, Blumetta was a solid and dependable player who appeared in eleven out of twelve seasons of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She entered the league in 1944 with the expansion Minneapolis Millerettes
Minneapolis Millerettes
The Minneapolis Millerettes were an expansion All-American Girls Professional Baseball League team that played for one season in 1944. They played their home games in Nicollet Park, home of the men's minor league team the Minneapolis Millers...
, playing for them briefly before joining the Milwaukee Chicks
Milwaukee Chicks
The Milwaukee Chicks were a women's professional baseball team which played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. They were managed by Max Carey, former star player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins and a future Hall of Famer.-History:By 1944 the...
during the midseason. She divided her playing time at first base and outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
, and was a member of the Milwaukee team that won the pennant that year. But she moved around for a while, as the AAGPBL shifted players as needed to help teams stay afloat.
In 1945 Blumetta played for the Grand Rapids Chicks
Grand Rapids Chicks
The Grand Rapids Chicks were a women's professional baseball team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1945 to 1954, winning championships in 1947 and 1953....
and then found herself on the move again, this time to the Peoria Redwings
Peoria Redwings
The Peoria Redwings were a women's professional baseball team who joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the season. The team represented Peoria, Illinois....
(1946–1947), and then 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...
(1947–1950), before landing with 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...
for the rest of her career (1951–1954). She began pitching sidearm in 1946, until overhand pitching became effective in 1948 through the final season in 1954.
In 1948, Blumetta enjoyed her most productive season as a pitcher when she posted a 14-13 record with Fort Wayne. Often used as a pinch-hitter when she was not pitching, she also was used in the outfield for defensive purposes. In addition, she was a member of the 1954 Champions Lassies, during what turned out to be the league’s final season.
Since 1988, Blumetta and the other AAGPBL players form part of the permanent display 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...
, which is dedicated to the entire league rather than any individual player.
Blumetta died in her homeland of North Plainfield, New Jersey, at the age of 73.