Assembly Resolution No. 469

BY: M. of A. Romeo

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 30, 2019, as Women in Baseball Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is with noble admiration that this Legislative Body pays
just tribute to those venerable female athletes who distinguished
themselves through notable achievements and represented their State and
Nation with pride and determination; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 30, 2019, as Women in Baseball Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of the 76th
Anniversary of the opening day of the All-American Girls Professional
Baseball League (AAGPBL); and

WHEREAS, With the entry of the United States into World War II,
several major league baseball executives started the AAGPBL with women
players in order to maintain baseball in the public eye while the
majority of able men were away fighting for their country; and

WHEREAS, The founders included Philip K. Wrigley, Branch Rickey and
Paul V. Harper; it was their fear that Major League Baseball might even
temporarily cease due to the war because of the loss of talent, as well
as restrictions on team travel due to gasoline rationing; and

WHEREAS, From 1943-1954, over 600 women played in the AAGPBL, which
would eventually consist of 10 teams located in the American Midwest;
perhaps the most famous team, the Rockford Peaches, won a league-best
four championships and were featured in the 1992 motion picture "A
League of Their Own"; and

WHEREAS, In those 12 years, the AAGPBL helped change how society
viewed women in America and paved the way for other professional women's
sports teams; at its peak in 1948, more than 900,000 spectators rooted
for their favorite team; and

WHEREAS, The USA Baseball Women's National Team (WNT) was
established in 2004, when an 18-player team was chosen following open
tryouts across the nation; the team went on to capture the Gold Medal in
the first-ever International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Women's Baseball
World Cup in Edmonton, Canada; and

WHEREAS, Team USA repeated as IBAF World Cup Gold Medalists in 2006,
in Taiwan, before taking home the Bronze Medal at the 2008 World Cup in
Japan, and again in 2010, in Venezuela; in 2012, the WNT won a Silver
Medal at the World Cup in Edmonton, Canada; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, the Women's National Team took home the Silver
Medal from the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's
Baseball World Cup, which was played in Miyazaki, Japan; and

WHEREAS, The Women's Baseball World Cup platform is built for the
top women in the sport, and as it expands and helps break down barriers,

so will the number of opportunities for females across all levels of
baseball, ultimately helping to evolve and redefine the notion of
women's sports; and

WHEREAS, To further this cause, the WNT hosts a Women's Development
Program, leads youth clinics, and works to grow the game of baseball
among women in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Both the AAGPBL and the WNT provide a legacy of commitment
and excellence exemplified by the athletes, bringing them distinction as
well as serving as role models to all young women and girls who aspire
to become professional athletes; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 30, 2019, as Women
in Baseball Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and the women athletes of both the All-American Girls
Professional Baseball League and the USA Baseball Women's National Team.