Charlene Pryer

Charlene Barbara Pryer [Mayer] (September 24, 1921 – June 3, 1999) was an American utility player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, playing mainly at second base and center field from 1946 through 1952.

[1][2] Charlene Pryer is recognized as one of the fastest baserunners of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in its twelve years of existence.

Besides teaching her basic baseball fundamentals, Pryer's father also taught her that hard work and determination were key to success.

Following her school graduation, Pryer joined the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1944, entertaining troops as a singer with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra.

She raised her average to a solid .262 (107-for-406), scoring 70 runs with 29 RBI in 112 games, but missed most of the 1949 season after suffering a severely broken ankle while sliding on a base.

With Karl Winsch at the helm, South Bend combined strong pitching with good hitting, collecting a 76–36 record in the regular season, then defeating Fort Wayne in the first round of the playoffs, two to one games.

In protest, five South Bend teammates joined Pryer in a walkout, leaving Winsch's team short-handed for the playoffs.

Besides her passion for music and sports, she served as a Rogue Valley Medical Center auxiliary volunteer and was a member of the Christ Unity Church in Medford.