Martha Rommelaere

Who was Martha Rommelaere?

Martha Rommelaere [Manning] was a Canadian outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1950 season. Listed at 5'4", 120 lb., she batted and threw right handed.

Born in Deloraine, Manitoba, Martha Rommelaere was one of the 57 players born in Canada to join the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in its twelve years history. But unfortunately, her career in the circuit was cut short due to a severe back injury.

Rommelaere grew up on a farm near LaFleche, and moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at seventeen. She began to play sandlot ball with the boys of her neighborhood when she was a little girl, and became a track and field star in high school who could outrun any girl in Saskatchewan. I could run like a deer, she explained in an interview.

At age 22, Rommelaere joined the Moose Jaw Royals softball team. She was missed by scouts of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during her first years in softball. Then she gained the Most Valuable Player award while playing for the Edmonton team, where she won a trip to South Bend, Indiana to try out for the league.