SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Conference

SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Conference logoThe sixth annual SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Conference was held virtually on September 20-22, 2024.

This year’s conference — co-sponsored by SABR and the International Women’s Baseball Center and hosted by Rockford University — was a virtual Zoom event.

The conference was highlighted by a keynote presentation from author and photographer Jean Fruth; the My Baseball Story Panel with Kara Blackstone, Jillian Geib, Bethany Morlan, Allison Levin, and Kat Williams; the Uganda Baseball Panel with Anna Kimbrell, Meggie Meidlinger, and Kat Williams; the Umpires Panel with Greta Langhenry, Tiesh Diaz, and Perry Barber; research presentations, pylon unveiling, and the presentation of the Dorothy Seymour Mills Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Gregorich.

All registrants are encouraged to send a children’s sports book to be donated to the local Rockford community. Examples include: Players in Pigtails; She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story; A Whole New Ball Game, etc. Books can be shipped directly to IWBC at: Rockford University, 5100 Building Room 25, 5050 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61108. Or choose a book and donate in your local community and send us a note about where you donated.

Welcome Remarks and Virtual Happy Hour

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Amanda Lane Cumming, “Women of the Portland Mavericks”

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Umpires Panel: Greta Langhenry, Tiesh Diaz, moderator Perry Barber

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Ryan Woodward, “She Played Here: Mapping History on the Women’s Baseball Heritage Trail”

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Cathy Headley, “Fandom, Family, Baseball”

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My Baseball Story Panel: Bethany Morlan, Allison Levin, Jillian Geib, Kara Blackstone, moderator Kat Williams

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Women’s World Cup Recap: Kat Williams and Leslie Heaphy

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Naomi Ryan, “A Hat and an Opportunity: Billy Wagner leads Naomi Ryan to the Next Level”

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Anna Sielaff, “Champaign County’s All-American Girl: Dottie Schroeder”

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Keynote Address: Jean Fruth

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Dorothy Seymour Mills Lifetime Achievement Award winner: Barbara Gregorich

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Katherine Walden and Gregory Bond, “The Foundry Field Project: Baseball, Community & History in South Bend’s Urban Core”

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Jason Schwartz, “Before Jackie: The Early Life of Rachel Robinson”

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Karen DeLuca Stephens, “Eleanor Roosevelt, The National Youth Administration, and Boston Youth Baseball: 1935-1939”

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Barrett Snyder, “Striking Out Mental Health Stigma in the Dugout: Breaking Barriers with Melissa Lambert”

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Cathy Kreyche, “Women in Play: The 24-Hour for Africa Baseball Game at Tucson Electric Park in 2003”

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Fabio Montella, “The Murrays”

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Uganda Baseball Panel: Anna Kimbrell, Meggie Meidlinger, moderator Kat Williams

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Past coverage: