Category: ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch

1939 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – JJ Krieg’s Haberdashers, Alameda, California
Runner Up – Kentucky Dairy Maids, Louisville, Kentucky

JJ Krieg’s went undefeated for the second straight year winning all five games by the scores of 5-2, 14-0, 6-5, 1-0, 1-0. They outscored their opponents 27-7. Bessie Johnson has led Kriegs to a 10-0 record in the past 2 National Championships with 5 shutouts, including both finals. They have been reported to have won 102 games in a row during the past two seasons. Johnson pitched every game for the California girls in both Nationals. According to a newspaper account, these Krieg’s Girls achieved all tournament acclaim: (P) Bessie Johnson, (C) Ruby Johnson (1B) Maxine Grolls and (3B)- Bernice Amarel,.

Irma Dutra went 2-3 for JJ Krieg’s and had the winning hit that scored Bertha Levi with the game’s only run. In the semi-finals, JJ Kriegs beat Pony Express Girls from St. Joseph, MO 1-0 in 12 innings. Catcher Ruby Johnson doubled and scored the winning run on a single by Wilda Mae Turner. The Pony Girls pitcher, Nina Korgan (who went 3-1 in the tournament), surrendered six hits and struck out 18 in 12 innings. In the other semi-final, 14 year old Virginia Fraburt defeated Arizona Ramblers and star pitcher Louise Curtis Miller 2-1. Fraburt pitched in the championship game also and although only giving up three hits, lost 1-0.

Little known Amelina (Amy) Peralta played in her first national for the Arizona Ramblers and won the only game she pitched, but was the leading hitter for her team. Louise Miller was 2-1 for the Ramblers as they finished third for the third straight year.

The Alameda Girls have not lost a game since May of 1937.

Bessie Johnson, J.J. Krieg’s went 5-0, pitched 1-0 no-hitter in championship walking 2 and striking out 4, had 3 shutouts during the tournament. She also went 1-3 in the championship game. She would have been named MVP.

Nina Korgan of Thames Pony Express went 3-1 pitching.

Jerry Joyce of Erin Brews went 2-0 with a no hitter and a shutout 14 IP, 32 K.

Cleveland native, Mary Skorich pitched for the Jax Maids of New Orleans and went 2-1.

The Alameda Girls have not lost a game since August of 1937. They ended that season with six straight victories. in 1938, they won the national championship going undefeated at 48-0 and this season they won 49 consecutive games before losing two games in Toronto playing Canadian ASA Rules right before the Nationals.  They won 102 consecutive games over a three year span.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – N/A
• Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. JJ Krieg’s Haberdashers, Alameda, CA (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Kentucky Dairy Maids, Louisville, KY (4-1) (Kentucky)
3t. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (3-1) (Arizona)
3t. Thames Pony Express, St. Joseph, MO (3-1) (Missouri)
5t. Jax Maids, New Orleans, LA (2-1) (Louisiana)
5t. Chicago Down Drafts, Chicago, IL (2-1) * (Chicago)
5t. Lavin’s Loans, Cincinnati, OH (2-1) (Cincinnati)
5t. Erin Brews, Cleveland, OH (2-1) (Cleveland)
9t. Higgins Midgets, Tulsa, OK (2-1) (Oklahoma)
9t. Hylex Cleaning Compounds, St. Paul, MN (1-1) (Minnesota)
9t. Russell Sports Shop, Omaha, NE (1-1) (Nebraska)
9t. Dr. Pepper Bottlers, Little Rock, AR (0-1) (Arkansas)
9t. D-X Oilers, Topeka, KS (1-1) (Kansas)
9t. American Insurance, Galveston, TX (1-1) (Texas)
9t. Dailey Clothes, Memphis, TN (1-1) (Tennessee)
9t. Woco Peps, Birmingham, AL (0-1) (Alabama)
17t. Cumiskey’s Coeds, Watertown, WI (1-1) (Wisconsin)
17t. Elkhart Athletics, Elkhart, IN (1-1) * (Indiana)
17t. Kaufman Maids, Reading, PA (0-1) (Pennsylvania)
17t. Farrow Chicks, Peoria, IL (0-1) (Illinois)
17t. Athens Maids, Corning, NY (0-1) (New York)
17t. Ringside Club, Milwaukee, WI (0-1) (Milwaukee)
17t. Kuna Girls, Pocatello, ID (0-1) (Idaho)
17t. Greenwood Electric, Des Moines, IA (0-1) (Iowa)
17t. Pilot Mills, Raleigh, NC (0-1) (North Carolina)
17t. Van Der Voort Hardware, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
17t. Moyer Womenstripe Pants, Youngstown, OH (0-1) (Ohio)
17t. Keller Ice Cream, Detroit, MI (0-1) (Detroit)
17t. Dr. Pepper Girls, Miami Beach, FL (0-1) (Florida)
17t. Bison Lassies, Buffalo, NY (0-1) (Buffalo)
17t. Sholls Cafeteria, Washington, DC (0-1) (Washington DC)
17t. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (0-1) (Connecticut)
33. Southern Weavers, Greenville, SC (0-1) (South Carolina)

* indicates the team won a game by forfeit. The tournament was single elimination format.

NOTES

Brown Derby Aces, Minot, ND did not show up.

1938 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – J.J. Krieg’s, Alameda, California
Runner Up – Chicago Down Drafts, Chicago, Illinois

It was Bessie Johnson’s single that drove in the final two runs of the game. Marge Brown of the Chicago Down Drafts smacked a double with 2 outs in the 7th inning to break up the no hitter. Bessie Johnson walked 5 and struck out 6 to win a pitchers duel with Dorothy “Boots” Klupping of the Down Drafts. Klupping struck out 5, gave up 3 runs on 4 hits. The Down Drafts scored 56 runs in the four games they won, which shows how good Bessie Johnson’s pitching was. The California girls went 5-0, winning by these scores: 1-0, 4-2, 14-2, 3-2, 3-0, outscoring their opponents 25-6.

To show how hard it was for teams to have money and sponsors, the Krieg Girls had to have people from their hometown wire them money to help pay their hotel bills and transportation back home, the finals were postponed because of rain and delayed their stay by a few days causing them to run out of money.

Louise Miller Curtis, Phoenix Ramblers (3-1); Amy Peralta played outfield as Curtis pitched every inning.

Prasse Lumber’s Vera Vining went 2-1 with a Shutout

Mary Skorich (1-1, 1 hit shutout) led the Num Num Girls (defending champs, National Screw of Cleveland) to a disappointing finish. Skorich’s victory came over the Curlee Girls of St Louis and its star pitcher, Marie Wadlow who has played in the George Sisler ASA National Tournament events the the last four years has racked up a career record of 121-9 with 20 no hitters. In the Sisler ASA championships, she has led Curlee’s to two National Championships and has a 14-3 record in those Nationals along with 8 shutouts and 4 no hitters.

Bessie Johnson, J.J. Krieg’s went 5-0; pitched 3-0, 1-hit shutout in championship, this was her second shutout in the tournament and would have been named MVP.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – N/A
• Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. J.J. Krieg’s, Alameda, CA (5-0) (California)
2. Chicago Down Drafts, Chicago, IL (4-1) (Chicago)
3t. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (3-1) (Arizona)
3t. Style Mart, Mayfield, KY (4-1) (Kentucky)
5t. Dick Fisher’s Sport Shop, Buffalo, NY (2-1) (Buffalo)
5t. Moose Jaw Royal Theatre, Regina, SK (2-1) (Canada-Saskatchewan)
5t. Prasse Lumber, Cleveland, OH (2-1) (Cleveland)
5t. Roman Cleaners, Detroit, MI (2-1) (Detroit)
9t. Russell Sporting Goods, Omaha, NE (1-1) (Nebraska)
9t. Streets Ready to Wear, Oklahoma City, OK (1-1) (Oklahoma)
9t. American Insurance, Galveston, TX (1-1) (Texas)
9t. Greenwood Electric, Des Moines, IA (1-1) (Iowa)
9t. Marling-Chesneys, Topeka, KS (1-1) (Kansas)
9t. Parichy Bloomer Girls, Forest Park, IL (1-1) (Illinois)
9t. Savins Loan Company, Cincinnati, OH (1-1) (Cincinnati)
9t. Kennedy Dairy, Madison, WI (1-1) (Wisconsin)
17t. Progressive Optical, San Jose/Fran, CA (0-1) (San Francisco)
17t. Sunday Morning Class, Toronto, ON (0-1) (Canada-Ontario)
17t. VC Girls Club, Valley City, ND (0-1) (North Dakota)
17t. Thames Packard Girls, St. Joseph, MO (0-1) (Missouri)
17t. Capitol Maids, Washington, DC (0-1) (Washington DC)
17t. Wreckerettes, Vicksburg, MS (1-1) (Mississippi)
17t. Daily Clothiers, Memphis, TN (0-1) (Tennessee)
17t. Jim’s Cafe, Charlestown, WV (0-1) (West Virginia)
17t. Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, Miami, FL (0-1) (Florida)
17t. Wiltz Girls, New Orleans, LA (0-1) (Louisiana)
17t. Woco Peps, Birmingham, AL (0-1) (Alabama)
17t. Num Num Pretzel Girls, Cleveland, OH (1-1) (Defending Champion National Screw & Manufacturing Company)
17t. Moyer Pants Factory, Youngstown, OH (0-1) (Ohio)
17t. Garden City Florals, Missoula, MT (0-1) (Montana)
17t. Main Streeters, Kannapolis, NC (0-1) (North Carolina)
17t. Dr. Pepper Bottlers, Little Rock, AR (0-1) (Arkansas)
33t. Van Der Voort Hardware Girls, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
33t. Curlee Clothiers, St. Louis, MO (0-1) (St. Louis)

1937 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – National Screw & Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Runner Up – Rayls Sports Shop Girls, Detroit, Michigan

Bernice Sowa took the loss for the Rayls Girls. The Rayls won their first four games by a 35-1 margin. The Cleveland pitching staff had 4 shutouts and gave up only 1 run total. They outscored their opponents 27-1.

Once again, the offense was led by Mary Skorich, Eloise Joliffe, Dot Underwood and Freida Savona.

National Screw defeated Black Gold of Oklahoma City in the semi final 5-0 as Vera Vining pitched a shutout with 9 K for the Cleveland Girls. Eloise Joliffe’s HR was the big blow for the Cleveland Girls.

The Detroit Rayls beat the Arizona Ramblers of Phoenix 3-1 in their semi final. Miller and Stefani had 2 hits apiece for the winners, while Louise Miller Curtis took the loss for the Ramblers. She also had one of the only 3 hits for the Arizona Girls.

National Screw & Manufacturing Company (Vera Bud Vining 2-0, pitched a no hitter and a 1-hitter)

Rayls Pitchers Margaret Stefani (3-0) and Bernice Sowa (1-1).

Louise Miller Curtis of Phoenix Ramblers (went 3-1 on last day, 1 a no hitter)

Jerry Joyce (1-0) and Ann Koenig (1-1, no hitter w/15Ks) pitched for Weaver Wall Girls.

Mary Skorich of National Screw & Manufacturing Company went 3-0, pitched 2 no-hitters, and then won the final game 6-1 with 14 K, also went 2 for 2 and would have been named MVP.

• MVP –  N/A
• HR Leader – Freda Savona, National Screw & Manufacturing Company – 2
• Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. National Screw & Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, OH (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Rayls Sports Shop Girls, Detroit, MI (4-1) (Detroit)
3t. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (3-1) (Arizona)
3t. Black Gold Sales, Oklahoma City, OK (2-1) (Oklahoma)
5t. American National Insurance, Galveston, TX (2-1) (Texas)
5t. Capper Girls, Topeka, KS (2-1) (Kansas)
5t. Weaver Walls Bloomer Girls, Cleveland, OH (2-1) (Cleveland)
5t. Dick Fisher’s Sports Store, Buffalo, NY (3-1) (Buffalo)
9t. Vogel Bloomer Girls, Forest Park, IL (1-1) (Illinois)
9t. Eastwood Diner, Syracuse, NY (1-1) (New York)
9t. Stockham Girls, Birmingham, AL (1-1) (Alabama)
9t. Montgomery V-8’s, Chicago, IL (0-1) (Chicago)
9t. Syracuse Bluebirds, Syracuse, NE (1-1) (Nebraska)
9t. Fant & Anderson, Memphis, TN (0-1) (Tennessee)
9t. Peggy’s News Stand, Clearwater, FL (1-1) (Florida)
9t. Falstaff’s Brewers, New Orleans, LA (1-1) (Louisiana)
17t. McBrayer’s Peaches, Rome, GA (0-1) (Georgia)
17t. Kaufman Maids, Reading, PA (0-1) (Pennsylvania)
17t. Butchers Local #4, Great Falls, MT (0-1) (Montana)
17t. Geyer Springs, Little Rock, AR (0-1) (Arkansas)
17t. Vic Brown Rosebuds, Newport, KY (0-1) (Kentucky)
17t. Wreckerettes, Vicksburg, MS (0-1) (Mississippi)
17t. Van Der Voort Hardware, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
17t. Raben Auto, Council Bluff, IA (0-1) (Iowa)
17t. Pugh Coal Company, Racine, WI (0-1) (Wisconsin)
17t. Braches Sports Shop, Stockton, CA (0-1) (California)
17t. Langley Cleaner Girls, Toronto, ON (0-1) (Canada-Ontario)
17t. Elks 1110 Club, Valley City, ND (0-1) (North Dakota)
17t. Queen Annes, Hammond, IN (0-1) (Indiana)
17t. Auerbach Deptartment Store, Salt Lake City, UT (0-1) (Utah)

NOTES: * indicates the team won a game by forfeit. The tournament was single elimination format.

1936 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – National Screw & Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Runner Up – Montgomery V-8’s, Chicago, Illinois

National Screw & Manufacturing Company was leading 8-3 in the 3rd inning when rain forced the postponement of the championship to the following night. The offensive fireworks continued as National Screw won 16-12.

Vera Vining (2-0 on the tournament) pitched the final game victory (she gave up 12 hits, 12 runs and walked 11, but pitched the complete game victory). Mary Skorich was 4-4 with a HR and scored 3 runs to lead the Cleveland attack. 15 year old Eliose Joliffe had 2 hits for the Cleveland girls as did Kawlck (3 runs scored), Smith (2 runs scored) and Cooper (2 runs scored). Dot Underwood was walked 3 times and scored 2 runs. D. Gramburg was 2-4 with a HR for the Chicago girls.

National Screw beat Syracuse Blue Birds 7-1 in the semifinal, defeating Nina Korgan, who was 3-0 up to that point. Mary Skorich was the winning pitcher and was backed by the hitting of Eliose Joliffe (3-3) and Dot Underwood (3-3), who both hit HRs also. Underwood’s was a grand slam. The Montgomery V8 Girls had one of the more potent offenses in the tournament, as they came into the semi finals scoring a total of 57 runs in their 3 games. They added to that total, defeating the Riveria of Buffalo 7-6 to gain the finals berth. Skorich, Jolife, Underwood and Freda Savona all came through with the sticks.

Defending champs, Weaver Walls Bloomer Girls lost to The National Screw Mfg. squad in the quarter-finals 5-0 behind the 2-hit shutout of Mary Skorich and Dot Underwood’s grand slam.

Jerry Joyce was 1-1 for Weaver Wall Girls.

Dorothy “Boots” Klupping, Chicago V-8’s was 3-1 while pitching.

Mary Skorich was 3-0 pitching, and went 4-4 in the championship with a home run and scored 3 runs. There was not an MVP named but Skorich would have earned it.

Dot Underwood of National Screw & Manufacturing Company had 2 grand slams.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – Dot Underwood, National Screw & Manufacturing Company – 2
• Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. National Screw & Manufacturing Company, Cleveland OH (5-0) (Cleveland)
2. Montgomery V-8’s, Chicago, IL (4-1) (Chicago)
3. Syracuse Blue Birds, Syracuse, NE (3-1) (Nebraska)
4. Riviera Restaurant Girls, Buffalo, NY (2-1) (Buffalo)
5. Agricultural Girls, Washington, DC (1-1) * (Washington DC)
6. Treziak Oil, Council Bluffs, IA (1-1) (Iowa)
7. Rayl Sport Shop Girls, Detroit, MI (1-1) (Detroit)
8. Weaver Walls Bloomer Girls, Cleveland, OH (1-1) (Defending Champ)
9. Black Gold Sales, Oklahoma City, OK (1-1) * (Oklahoma)
10. Chesney Girls, Topeka, KS (1-1) (Kansas)
11. Red Jackets, Wichita Falls, TX (1-1) (Texas)
12. Cincinnati Girls, Cincinnati, OH (0-1) (Cincinnati)
13. Faith Mills, Salisbury, NC (0-1) (North Carolina)
14. Millmont Girls, Reading, PA (0-1) (Pennsylvania)
15. Pugh Company, Racine, WI (0-1) (Wisconsin)
16. City Transport, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
17. Wreckerettes, Vicksburg, MS (0-1) (Mississippi)
18. Belleview Girls, Belleview, KY (0-1) (Kentucky)
19. Wiltz Girls, New Orleans, LA (0-1) (Louisiana)
20. Carter Shoe Co., Nashville, TN (0-1) (Tennessee)
21. Fairfield Girls, Fairfield, CT (0-1) (F) (Connecticut)
22. Valley City Girls Club, Valley City, ND (0-1) (North Dakota)

* indicates the team won a game by forfeit. The tournament was single elimination format.

NOTES

Valley City Girls Club, Valley City, ND did not show up.

1935 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – Bloomer Girls, Cleveland, Ohio
Runner Up – Hart Motor Girls, Chicago, Illinois

Tilly Valus, Bloomer Girls went 3-3, with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored in the final. She was 7-10 in the final 3 games of the tournament.

Nina Korgan pitched her first ASA game for Syracuse, NE, losing 4-3, as she hit a 3-run HR to account for all her runs.

Hart Motors, formerly Great Northern Laundry was attempting to win its third straight women’s title. Adel Nedjedly was the losing pitcher.

Bloomers Girls beat Detroit Rayles 7-2 in their semi final match and Hart Motors defeated their hometown rival Frain Usherettes in the other semi final.

Mary Whitey Doljack, Bloomer Girls had 2 hits, including a 2-run HR to proved the eventual winning margin in championship.

There was not an MVP named but Bernice Jerry Joyce, Bloomer Girls had a 4-0 pitching record, including the 8-3 championship game win, she also had a hit.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – Mary Whitey Doljack, Bloomer Girls – 2
• Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Bloomer Girls, Cleveland, OH (4-0) (Cleveland)
2. Hart Motor Girls, Chicago, IL (3-1) (Defending Champ)
3t. Rayl Sport Shop Girls, Detroit MI (2-1) (Detroit)
3t. Andy Frain’s Usherettes, Chicago, IL (2-1) * (Chicago)
5t. Wiltz Girls, New Orleans, LA (1-1) (Louisiana)
5t. Syracuse Blue Birds, Syracuse, NE (0-1) (Nebraska)
5t. Enright Coal, Rock Island, NY (0-1) (New York)
5t. Sunflower Girls, Topeka, KS (0-1) (Kansas)
9t. Georgie Porgie, Council Bluffs, IA (0-1) (Iowa)
9t. Berman’s Girls, St. Paul, MN (0-1) (Minnesota)
9t. Beaver Dam Girls, Beaver Dam, WI (0-1) (Wisconsin)
9t. City Transport Girls, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
9t. Gem City Beverage, Dayton, OH (0-1) (Ohio)

* indicates the team won a game by forfeit. The tournament was single elimination format.

NOTES

Gem City Beverage, Dayton, OH did not show up.

1934 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – Hart Motors Girls, Chicago, Illinois
Runner Up – Gem City Beverage, Dayton, Ohio

Gem City beverage beat the New Orleans Wiltz Girls 17-8 in the semi finals. They beat the Chrysler Girls of Detroit 20-9 in their first game. The Hart Motor Girls beat the Chicago Bloomer Girls in the other semi-final.

Catherine Fellmeth, Hart Motors (pitched championship game and won 5-1). The team, formerly known as Great Northern Laundry won its second consecutive championship.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hart Motors Girls, Chicago, IL (3-0) (Defending Champ-Great Northern)
2. Gem City Beverage, Dayton, OH (2-1) (Ohio)
3t. Bloomer Girls, Chicago, IL (1-1) (Chicago)
3t. Wilts Girls, New Orleans, LA (1-1) (Louisiana)
5t. Fisher Food Girls, Cleveland, OH (0-1) (Cleveland)
5t. Enright Coal, Rock Isle, IL (0-1) (Illinois)
5t. Janesville Girls, Janesville, WI (0-1) (Wisconsin)
5t. Chrysler Girls, Detroit, MI (0-1) (Detroit)

NOTES

The tournament was single elimination format.

1933 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – Great Northern Laundry Girls, Chicago, IL
Runner Up – Chase Park Girls, Chicago, IL

The Laundry Girls rolled through the competition in the first national. There was no doubt about the superiority of the winners as they outscored their opponents 35-4 in the 3 games it took to win the title. They defeated Chicago’s Roby Playground 7-0 in the Quarterfinal, then Downers Grove of Illinois 10-1 in the Semi Finals and won the championship game in convincing fashion over Chase Park Girls 18-3.

Ann Gindel was the star for the Laundry Girls at the plate and in the field.

15 Teams entered the first National Championship, including these champs from Chicago; Chicago’s Chase Park Girls (Chicago Park champions); Chicago’s Great Northern Laundry (Chicago Independent champs); Chicago’s Judge Hasten Debutantes (Chicago River Park champs); Chicago’s Roby Playground (Chicago Girls Playground champs) and Chicago’s St. Bridget’s (Chicago Church champs). St. Romans, Chicago.

These other teams also entered as well; Brazil All-Stars of Indiana; Caledonia, Ontario (Canadian Women’s champs); St. Romans of Chicago, Western Printerettes of Racine, WI; Hoosier Beers and The Sailorettes, both of South Bend, IN; Downers Grove (Illinois), Erie Girls (Pennsylvania), Fort Atkinson (Wisconsin) and Rock Island (Illinois).

Not much more info is available.

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Great Northern Laundry Girls, Chicago, IL (3-0)
2. Chase Park Girls, Chicago, IL (Chicago Park)
3t. Downers Grove, IL (Illinois)
3t. N/A
5t. Roby Playground, Chicago, IL (Chicago Playground)
5t. N/A
5t. N/A
5t. N/A

NOTES

The tournament was single elimination format.