License to Thrive

Dorothy "Snookie" Harrell-Doyle

At the Women's Sports Foundation Salute dinner on October 14 in New York City, I had the pleasure of sitting at the table next to five players from the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League.  The league was the inspiration for the movie "A League of Their Own" and these women were sports pioneers back in the 1940s and 1950.  While the country was at war, women fielded teams to provide sports entertainment to willing and supportive crowds.

One of the players at the table was Dorothy "Snookie" Harrell-Doyle who played shortstop for the Rockford Peaches.  Harrell-Doyle received encouragement early in her life from her mother, a huge baseball fan. Her mom gave her a baseball glove and a uniform for Christmas when she was 5.  Snookie batted right and threw right and made her professional debut in 1944.  She has a lifetime batting average of .228 and led the Peaches to four pennants.  More importantly, she is a delight to talk to.  After leaving the AAGPBL, Harrell-Doyle became a physical education teacher and guidance counselor in California.  She told me about being a teacher and the girls she has inspired, some of whom she still stays in touch with.  She cheered loudly for all of the athletes at the WSF event, particularly for the members of USA softball and laments that the sport will not be in place for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Like many people, her favorite shortstop is Derek Jeter (she'd love the chance to meet him) but she also gives a nod to the skills of Alex Rodriguez.  

The chance to talk to Snookie and her teammates was a truly wonderful experience and a reminder of the rich history of female athletes in this country and around the world.  Snookie and her teammates embraced their "license to thrive."  Many a photo was taken with the group and I'm going to cherish my autographed player card from Snookie for a long time to come. 

Written by:  "License to Thrive" Executive Producer Theresa Moore