Dorothy Ferguson

Dorothy B. "Dottie" Ferguson Key (February 17, 1923 – May 8, 2003) was a Canadian infielder and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6", 125 lb., she batted and threw right handed. Early life A native of Virden, Manitoba, Ferguson was one of the sixty eight girls from Canada who played in the AAGPBL during its 12-year history. Athletically inclined from a young age, she began skating and was soon involved in softball. In 1939, she was named the North American women's speed skating champion. Only the coming of World War II prevented her from competing for Canada in the Olympics. Due to the conflict, the Games of 1940 to be held in Tokyo temporarily relocated to Helsinki, upon the outbreak of war were canceled. Professional career Ferguson entered the AAGPBL in 1945 with the Rockford Peaches, playing for them 10 years until the league folded in 1954. A proven performer, speedy Ferguson averaged over 46 stolen bases per season and collected a personal-best 91 steals in 1951. Though mainly a singles hitter, she was a productive force at the plate, connecting 645 hits while walking 455 times in 3216 at-bats. A versatile infielder who played mainly at second base and third, she gained respect amongst fellow players after switching to center field. The Rockford Peaches were the most successful team in the history of the AAGPBL, winning the title in season (1945) and three in a row at one point (1951–1953). Ferguson was used sparingly in her rookie year, mostly at third base, batting only a .131 average in the regular season and 0-for-3 in the playoffs. She started 1946 with the Peoria Redwings but rejoined the Peaches in the midseason, hitting a combined .183 with a .307 on-base percentage in 80 games. Rockford defeated the Fort Wayne Daisies in the final series, four to one games, but she did not play in the series. In 1947 she became a spark plug on the team, stealing 71 bases to tie with Faye Dancer for fifth in the league, while batting .153 with a .283 OBP. Rockford ended sixth in the eight-team league, out of contention.