Mabel Holle

Published in Chicago Sun-Times on December 13, 2011

Holle, Mabel B. A member of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League and longtime woman's sports advocate, died December 11, 2011, at her home in Lake Forest, IL after a long illness.

Born in Jacksonville, IL on March 21, 1920, she loved to play sports as a child and spent most of her time outdoors. In 1943, she became a member of the original South Bend Blue Sox of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). She played third base and outfield and the highlight of her career was when her mother and two younger sisters attended a game when she had the game winning hit. She had a very strong arm and was known for throwing out runners at home plate from the outfield. She also played with the Kenosha Comets for a short period of time.

On November 5, 1988, Mabel was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY as a member of the All American Girls League.

After professional baseball, Mabel became a physical education teacher. She was coach and athletic administrator in the Waukegan schools for most of her professional career. Mabel was the first person to chair the IHSA Girls Track and Field Advisory Committee.

She served as a member of the Advisory Committee during the early years of the girls state series, and then on the Games Committee of the girls state meet. In 2001, she became the Illinois State Girls Track Honorary Referee.

Mabel graduated from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL in 1942. She was inducted in the MacMurray sports hall of fame in 1993 and has an annual award in her honor that goes to the female athlete who exemplifies leadership in the classroom and the playing field.

Mabel is survived by her longtime partner, Linda Hoffman. her sisters: Patricia Patrick, also of Lake Forest, IL and Charlene Hobbie, Waverly, IL; her nieces: Dixie Hanks Richter (John) of Albuquerque, NM; Betty Holder of Houston, TX; Wendy Friedland (Warren) of Rockville, MD; Carrie Carr (Bill), Barrington, IL and nephew, Larry Patrick (Amy) of Gurnee, IL; her two sweet Schnauzers, Maggie and Ellie; her many great and great-great, nieces and nephews; wonderful friends and former teammates.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathryn (Ollie) and Frederick Holle, and sister, Emma and brother, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League or the Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center).

A private memorial will scheduled at a later date.