It is not very often when you end up being excited that your original plans for a long weekend get changed, but I can honestly say that my trip to Rockford to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1992 release of the film A League Of Their Own was definitely one of those times, with a weekend full of activities, good people, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and, of course, women’s baseball.
A League Of Their Own released on July 1, 1992 and introduced the world at large to professional women’s baseball and the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. It also ended up putting Rockford, Illinois “on the map” in the baseball community, although the city has a long, proud history of baseball in its community. Therefore, when my July 4 plans fell through, it was no question about what I was going to do that weekend and quickly changed gears to join my colleagues at the International Women’s Baseball Center on putting on a magnificent event and enjoying some quality time with the community.
Friday, July 1
On the actual anniversary, there were two simultaneous events going on. I attended Friday Night Flix, an event put on in Davis Park by the Historic Coronado Theater, which was showing the original movie with several events for the kids. Representing the IWBC, I handed out special pennants to celebrate while getting to know the Chicago Blitz who were sat up next to me. The Chicago Blitz is a professional women’s football team that is hoping to make their home in Rockford, and they had a lot of fun showing kids how to run some drills.
Across the river from us, City Market full swing and leading up to the IWBC’s main event for the evening. City Market is a Friday evening event in the community, and the IWBC’s brand, SPoRT Makeup & SPoRT Apparel sets up weekly. This evening, though, it was all about the anniversary and it was right outside the fundraising event Sudz Bucket, also in honor of the movie. This event had players from the original League, Rockford bat girls, Megan Cavanaugh (who played Marla Hooch in the original movie), and tons of entertainment.
My evening ended with a late dinner with a few of the IWBC people, with a long Saturday planned ahead.
Saturday, July 2
While Friday had a light schedule, Saturday was packed full, from two events at Historic Beyer Stadium to an evening with Prime Video to premiere the pilot episode of their new show A League Of Their Own to introduce Rockford to a new generation (keep an eye out for this hitting Prime on August 12).
We started our morning early at Beyer to set up for MLB’s Play Ball event, which brought in approximately 125 kids to work on their baseball skills. Then, we ended our day at Beyer with a midday softball game and a group of food trucks outside the stadium to uplift the local eateries in Rockford. I got the honor of driving around several of our VIPs while there and getting introduced to new people from the Rockford community. Here I also ran into people I haven’t seen in years, and spent my afternoon catching up with them (instead of resting up for the long evening ahead).
Saturday evening, Prime Video put on a street fair outside the Historic Coronado Theater to encourage the community to come check out the new show, which also premiered there. During this time, a small VIP event was also put on at the Coronado, where I was introduced to several community leaders in Rockford. As one of the newest Board Directors for the IWBC, I had heard about many of these people, but it was the first time I had gotten to meet many of them.The fair and showing was then followed by a sit down with the cast and creators, hosted by Megan Cavanagh. It was an experience to remember and I appreciate all the effort that went into planning it. I then got another amazing opportunity and ended my evening having wonderful conversations deep into the early morning with many of the Amazon people that were in Rockford for the event.
Sunday, July 3
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and, after a late morning and brunch with some colleagues, I had to make the drive home. It reminded me of why working with the International Women’s Baseball Center is such a blessing and why it’s always hard to return. Have you ever come home from “coming home”? I am not from Rockford, or even Illinois, originally, but the community that I have gotten to interact with and the colleagues that I get to work with have always accepted me for exactly who I am. I haven’t been to Rockford since 2019 due to the last few years of chaos, and getting to see these people, catch up, enjoy baseball, and interact with so many in the community, it reminded me that I have always had a home there. So, until I get to come home again, Rockford, know that I’m thinking of you and all my wonderful, supportive, baseball family.
Raven K 