Former women’s baseball player a hit at local fundraiser

ST. CHARLES – At almost 90 years old, Terry Donahue, a former member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, still has as much spunk as when she played professionally in the 1940s.

On Friday night, Donahue was the featured guest during the All-American Baseball Night program at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles.

Wheeled out onto the knoll between the church and its parking lot, Donahue held a mitt in her left hand, a baseball in her right. As she and those pushing her wheelchair reached the makeshift pitching mound of the shrunken baseball diamond, patrons seemed to assume Donahue would remain seated for the first pitch.

But once settled, Donahue shot up as those surrounding her gasped and helped her steady herself. She set her feet, swung her arm back and gently threw the ball to fellow parishioner and young female athlete Lyla Pihl.

The crowd hollered and applauded, but Donahue didn’t stop there. She continued to throw one pitch after another. Five minutes later, she threw a self-satisfying pitch and, with some help, lowered herself into the wheelchair, glove still in hand.

Oddly enough, Donahue wasn’t a pitcher, but primarily a catcher and utility player for the Peoria Redwings from 1946 to 1949. As more and more men were sent to fight overseas in World War II, Chicago Cubs owner Philip Wrigley couldn’t stand to see his stadium empty. Determined not to have America’s pastime come to a standstill, he created the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, recruiting women such as Donahue across the U.S. and Canada.

“People thought they would get a good laugh,” Donahue said, referring to watching women play, “but we were pretty good.” She said the games drew “wonderful” crowds, proving women could play a man’s game – and do it while dressed in skirts.

“They were strong, independent women doing what they love,” said Lois Voth, friend of Donahue and fellow parish member at Hosanna!

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, Donahue was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. She was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 1988, when the AAGPBL was inducted as a league. She was even the basis for a character in the 1992 movie, “A League of their Own,” featuring Madonna.

Never one to slow down, Donahue urges other young women to follow what they love.

“If you have the talent and desire, go for it,” Donahue said Friday. During that event, she also spent time sitting in front of a table topped with memorabilia and greeted other parishioners, sharing advice and stories, along with some photos.

The All-American Baseball Night also featured pickup baseball games, a radar station to measure pitching speed and a stand to decorate signs for a Fourth of July run and walk.

Members of Hosanna! Lutheran Church were excited to have Donahue at their event, not only as a beloved parish member but as a symbol of American history.

“It’s an important part of our history, and her story is amazing,” said Lynette Anderson, director of children and family ministries at Hosanna! “It’s wonderful to lift Terry up.”

Associate pastor James Lotz agreed.

“We have some treasures,” Lotz said. “People don’t realize that people like this are in the community.”

Donahue was equally as excited to help out her parish.

“Anytime there’s baseball I’m ready to go,” she said.