Jean Buckley

Who is Jean Buckley?

Jean Buckley [״Bucketts״] is a former center fielder who played from 1950 through 1952 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 9 in, 145 lb, Buckley batted and threw right-handed. She was born in Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts.

Jean Buckley was a solid outfielder and clutch hitter during her three years in the league, turning into a feared batter in two post seasons, although her teams failed to win the title in any of them.

Buckley started to play softball at age 12 for a Catholic Youth Organization team in her hometown. As a teenager, she played with the Quincy Raiderettes, an amateur fastpitch softball team. At the time she was scouted by Mary Pratt, a former AAGPBL pitcher, who invited her and other girls to a tryout in a gym at Everett, Massachusetts. I had never throw a baseball in my life, she explained in an interview. I played softball in Boston. No sliding, no stealing; a team sport not dominated by a pitcher; C.Y.O. Boston Parks. I was a natural.

Buckley was admitted in the league and went to spring training in West Baden, Indiana. She opened the 1950 season with the Kenosha Comets, playing for them two years before joining the Rockford Peaches. She usually was placed fifth in the batting order but could also fill in at cleanup spot if needed. I played at centerfield, right a little... I batted fifth, couldn't handle the fourth place pressure, she recalled.