Sports Forum Podcast (Episode #19): Capturing the Spirit of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League with Anika Orrock
League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast
[Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor and others]
This week’s guest is Anika Orrock, author and illustrator of “The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.”
For many, the AAGPBL was brought to light by the movie “A League of Their Own,” directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis and Madonna. “A League of Their Own” was entertaining, funny and told the story of an important moment in female sports history in this country. The movie was a box office success, becoming the highest grossing baseball movie of all-time. But that’s Hollywood, the true story of the AAGPBL is equally as fascinating as the movie, and Orrock’s wonderful book truly captures the spirit of the pioneering ladies who played baseball in this league.
Our conversation ranges from a discussion of the hoops these ladies had to jump through in order to play the game they loved, including having to attend charm school, take beauty lessons and where skirts while playing, to a chat about the long-term impact and legacy of the AAGPFL women when it comes to advancing sports opportunities for girls and women.
Those who like baseball and inspiring stories about underdogs in sports should enjoy listening to Orrock’s tales of the AAGPBL.
The League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast can be found wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor and others.
Follow on Facebook: @SportsForumPodcast
— Editor

Sports Forum Podcast
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Listen on Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor and others.
Follow on Facebook: @SportsForumPodcast
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Media
"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Vanderbilt Sport & Society - On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss with guest Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director for League of Fans and author of How We Can Save Sports: A Game Plan
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
Books