By Jennifer Castro, Cultural & Material History Curator
There are few things more American than Marines, baseball, and baseball cards. An artifact in the collection of the National Museum of the Marine Corps encompasses all three. This unique artifact documents the cultural connection between a career Woman Marine and sports – a baseball card of Helen Hannah Campbell, who was a chaperone with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1947-1951.
There are few things more American than Marines, baseball, and baseball cards. An artifact in the collection of the National Museum of the Marine Corps encompasses all three. This unique artifact documents the cultural connection between a career Woman Marine and sports – a baseball card of Helen Hannah Campbell, who was a chaperone with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1947-1951.
Helen Hannah Campbell Helen Hannah Campbell enlisted in the Marine Corps on 12 October 1943, initiating a 32-year military career that would span three wars and many duty stations across the United States, from California to Virginia. After training at the Aviation Supply Quartermaster School, she served primarily in administrative capacities. In 1946, at the end of her initial period of enlistment, she joined the Marine Corps Reserves and became involved in baseball.
Campbell’s father was professional baseball player James Harrison “Truck” Hannah. His 30-year career included a three-season stint with the New York Yankees from 1918-1920 playing alongside baseball great Babe Ruth. This link to the world of baseball led Campbell in 1947 to become a chaperone in the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the organization that inspired the movie A League of Their Own.
The AAGPBL was a professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley in 1943 to prevent the possible collapse of major league baseball parks around the United States while players were serving overseas. After recruiting his players, Wrigley was determined to make them into the ideal “all-American girls.” He emphasized not only the physical training required for the sport, but also training in dress and conduct that would maintain the “squeaky clean” image of the league. Spring training included all-day workouts that were followed by “charm school” in the evenings, where players learned how to put on makeup and how to behave with a date. Players had to adhere to strict “Rules of Conduct.” To ensure they acted like ladies on and off the field, Wrigley hired chaperones for each team. These chaperones traveled with their teams and acted as mothers, nurses, communicators, counselors, disciplinarians, and trainers.
Campbell’s father was professional baseball player James Harrison “Truck” Hannah. His 30-year career included a three-season stint with the New York Yankees from 1918-1920 playing alongside baseball great Babe Ruth. This link to the world of baseball led Campbell in 1947 to become a chaperone in the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the organization that inspired the movie A League of Their Own.
The AAGPBL was a professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley in 1943 to prevent the possible collapse of major league baseball parks around the United States while players were serving overseas. After recruiting his players, Wrigley was determined to make them into the ideal “all-American girls.” He emphasized not only the physical training required for the sport, but also training in dress and conduct that would maintain the “squeaky clean” image of the league. Spring training included all-day workouts that were followed by “charm school” in the evenings, where players learned how to put on makeup and how to behave with a date. Players had to adhere to strict “Rules of Conduct.” To ensure they acted like ladies on and off the field, Wrigley hired chaperones for each team. These chaperones traveled with their teams and acted as mothers, nurses, communicators, counselors, disciplinarians, and trainers.
Campbell was hired as a chaperone for the Muskegon Lassies and remained with them from 1947-1951. She was on duty 24/7 as she traveled with them, arranging housing, enforcing curfews and dress codes, and ensuring the care and well-being of her players. Campbell left the league in 1951 when she was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. She helped maintain both the woman Marine and AAGPBL legacy by serving on the AAGPBL Historical Society board and her enthusiastic work with the Woman Marines Association. Not only had she joined the Marines to maintain military operations at home when men were needed on the front lines, she also helped preserve America’s favorite pastime.
Helen Hannah Campbell (far right) while a chaperone for the Muskegon Lassies. The baseball card commemorates Campbell’s time in the AAGPBL. She is pictured on the front in her AAGPBL uniform. The reverse provides a brief history of the league, the role of chaperones, and a short biography of Campbell highlighting her career accomplishments.
Helen Hannah Campbell baseball card (front)
Helen Hannah Campbell baseball card (back)
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