Two locals who played in the real-life 'A League of Their Own'

Footage from Spring Training in the 1940's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CpMyUzhRVw

(AURORA, Ind.) – Have you ever seen the movie 'A League of Their Own?'

The 1992 film was based off the true story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) which was in existence from 1943 to 1954. 

With American men serving in World War II, Chicago Cubs owner Phillip Wrigley created the women's league as a substitute for men’s major league baseball.

There were just over 500 women who played in the league and two of them happened to be from right here in Southeast Indiana!

Janet Rumsey

Janet Rumsey has ties to both Dearborn and Decatur counties and also has a claim to fame in the league. 

She was born in Moores Hill in 1931 and was a 1949 graduate of Burney High School. 

Rumsey was a pitcher who signed a professional contract in 1951 with the Battle Creek Belles but was traded that season to the South Bend Blue Sox where she spent the rest of her career. 

She had a 2.33 ERA over four seasons with 285 strikeouts in 703 innings pitched.

Her most dominant season came during the last year of the league in 1954 when she was named an All-Star.

On August 24, 1954, Janet threw what would become the AAGPBL's last ever no-hitter!

It was almost a perfect game against the Grand Rapids Chicks but she walked one batter.

After baseball, Janet returned to the area and worked in the accounting department at Cummins Engine Company from 1955 until 1985.

She was a member of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church and passed away in 2008.

Anna Meyer (Petrovic)

Anna Meyer was born in Aurora in 1928 and grew up playing baseball with her five older brothers. 

The first time she ever left Aurora was to try out for the AAGPBL in Chicago. 

She was just 15-years-old and a high school freshman when she signed her professional contract, making her one the youngest to ever play in the league. 

Anna played for the Kenosha Comets and Minneapolis Millerettes during the 1944 season.

The next season she transferred to the Chicago National Girls Baseball League which utilized softball rules. 

Despite being just 5’3", she was known for her lightning fast speed, strong arm and impeccable defense. 

She would spend her summers playing professional ball while coming back home to Aurora during the winters. 

Ann married George Petrovic in 1950 which marked the same year she retired from the sport.  

They had two children and lived in Ohio before eventually moving to Tucson, Arizona. 

Because of her contributions to women’s baseball, Anna was part of the AAGPBL’s first exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1988. 

Anna was inducted into the Aurora High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the City of Aurora named a ballfield after her in 2015. 

KOLD News 13 in Tucson interviewed Ann a few years ago. Watch their report here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyY3PlvDiw