Springfield panel spotlights women’s baseball legacy

A panel discussion in Springfield will highlight the history and legacy of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the women connected to it as part of a broader local exhibit.

The event, organized through a partnership between Visit Springfield’s History Comes Alive program and the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library, is scheduled for July 28 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, according to a community announcement.

The discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature former AAGPBL players Jeneane Lesko and Dolly Ozburn, along with league historian Merrie Fidler. Organizers said the panel will include individuals directly connected to the league, including former players, historians and collaborators, who will share personal experiences and discuss the league’s impact and ongoing preservation efforts.

The program supports the Sangamon Valley Collection’s exhibit, “100 Years of Women's Baseball and Softball in Sangamon County: 1875-1975,” which is on display at the Sangamon County Building through Nov. 2. The exhibit, curated by Anna Sielaff, includes photographs, archival materials and information on local connections to women who played professional baseball during and after World War II, according to the announcement.

“This year’s History Comes Alive programming is all about Celebrating America and the stories that have built our nation. This incredible evening will shine a spotlight on a unique and extraordinary chapter of our local and national story. The women of the AAGPBL were pioneers and continue to inspire athletes and fans of all ages,” said Darrin Thurman, tourism manager for Visit Springfield.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have opportunities for autographs and merchandise purchases before and after the discussion, according to the announcement.

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This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield panel spotlights women’s baseball legacy