William Alexander Lange (/ˈlæŋ/;[1] June 6, 1871 – July 23, 1950), also known as "Little Eva",[2] was an American Major League Baseball center fielder, who played his entire seven-year career for the Chicago Colts and Orphans from 1893 to 1899.

During his time in the Majors, he once led the National League in stolen bases, and was among the seasonal leaders in several other offensive categories including home runs, and batting average.

In addition to his success in real estate and insurance, he became a leading figure in Major League Baseball's efforts to generate interest in the game worldwide.

He was enlisted by the leading baseball figures of the day to assist in establishing leagues in several European countries, that could eventually compete against American teams, while also scouting for undiscovered talent.

Born in the Presidio District[4] of San Francisco, California,[5] he ran away from home while still in grammar school to live with his brother in Port Townsend, Washington.

In an effort to get Decker to the hospital adjacent the ballpark, his teammates knocked down several wooden slats of the outfield fence to expedite his journey.

[8] His success continued into the 1897 season, as he batted .340, scored 119 runs, and led the league in stolen bases for the only time in his career.

[17] Lange is also credited in several sources, as being the person who discovered future Chicago Cubs first baseman, manager, and Hall of Famer, Frank Chance, after having watched him play for the local Fresno, California team during the off-season of 1897.

The attempt worked as the PCL successfully lured the Sacramento, California team into joining their league, with many of the players soon to follow.

[14] Later, John McGraw of the New York Giants enlisted Lange as his chief European baseball scout, hoping to discover any hidden talent in that untapped market.

In 1919, Ban Johnson, the American League president enlisted Lange as his chief organizer of baseball teams in Europe, mainly in England, France, Belgium, and Italy.

Additionally, Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith donated $40,000 worth of equipment to assist in supplying the new league.

Lange died at the age of 79 in his hometown of San Francisco, and is interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.