Oral history interview with Ellen (Ahrndt) Proefrock / interviewed by Clement C. GrawOzburn

Oral history interview with Ellen (Ahrndt) Proefrock / interviewed by Clement C. GrawOzburn

1/19/04

Ellen Proefrock was interviewed by Clement C. GrawOzburn on January 19, 2004, for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League oral history collection. Ellen's nickname during her time with the league was "Babe". She was a second basewoman who played only briefly during the 1944 season. Ellen grew up in Racine, WI, playing both softball and baseball in high school. During the softball season, she was invited to tryout for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which were held at Wrigly Field in Chicago, IL. Ellen was to be paid $60.00 per week to be a member of the South Bend Blue Sox for the 1944 season, which was a vast sum of money at that time. She only saw action in three games during the 1944 season and was not offered a contract the following season. Ellen returned to Racine and was married in 1947 to William Proefrock. Proefrock discusses the following topics: Father was farmer and carpenter, six siblings, lived five miles outside Racine, Wisconsin ca. 1920

This interview is part of the UW-La Crosse Oral History Program’s All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) Collection.

The interviewee played in the AAGPBL for one season: with the South Bend Blue Sox in 1944.

00:01:26—Father was farmer and carpenter, six siblings, lived five miles outside Racine, Wisconsin ca. 1920s-1930s

00:03:10—Sports central to close-knit family, father created baseball field on family farm ca.1930s, brother and cousin formed and managed all-women’s team when interviewee was twelve (ca.1934), players on brother and cousin’s team were from rural areas surrounding Racine, Wisconsin, began playing baseball at fourteen (ca. 1936)

00:06:00—Played on team brother and cousin formed (ca. 1934), won tournament at 1940 Wisconsin State Fair (est. 1851, West Allis, Wisconsin), team subsequently disbanded as members married and had less free time

00:07:30—Recalls spectator support for female athletes ca. 1936-1944, family greatly enjoyed playing baseball ca. 1930s-1940s, did not recall women’s athletics receiving negative feedback

00:10:22—Worked at Western Printing and Lithographing Company (1907-2001, Racine, Wisconsin), 1943, coworker Margaret “Marnie” (Danhauser) Bro

Proefrock, Ellen Ahrndt, 1922-2009 -- Interviews

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League -- History

South Bend Blue Sox (Baseball team) -- History

Oral history

Baseball for women -- United States -- History -- 20th century

Women baseball players -- United States -- Biography

Baseball -- History

Recollection Wisconsin

sound

https://digitalcollections.uwlax.edu/jsp/RcWebAudioPlayer.jsp?doc_id=db52c5e1-644f-4d39-abba-c9d26049e87a/wlacu000/00000018/00000307