The Chicago Colleens were a women's professional baseball team that played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1948 to 1951, later evolving into a development team. The team was based in Chicago, Illinois, and played their home games at Shewbridge Field.
History
The Colleens joined the AAGPBL as an expansion team in 1948, competing in the Eastern Division. They were managed by former Major League Baseball player Dave Bancroft. The team finished with a 47–76 record, placing last in their division, 29.5 games out of first place. The only team with a worse record that season was the Springfield Sallies of the Western Division (41–84).
After the 1948 season, both the Colleens and the Sallies lost their franchises. From 1949 through 1950, they were reconstituted as rookie development teams that played exclusively exhibition games. Their tours included contests at Griffith Stadium and Yankee Stadium. The team dissolved entirely by 1951.
AAGPBL executive Mitch Skupien served as the general manager for both touring teams. The team's 1948 games were broadcast regularly on Chicago television station WBKB.
Ballpark
The Colleens played at Shewbridge Field, located at the corner of South Morgan and West 74th Streets on the South Side of Chicago. The site is now part of the campus of the Stagg School of Excellence.
Team Colors
Green and white.
Notable Personnel
- Dave Bancroft – Manager (1948); former Major League player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Patricia Barringer – Manager–Chaperone (1949, 1950)
- Margaret Johnson – Chaperone (1948)
