The AGSA began in the spring of 1972 when Phil Adam and a group of women led by Joyce Capelle, Lois Aubinger and Mary Kendall met to discuss starting a girls’ softball program in Ashwaubenon. That summer the AGSA consisted of 6 Babe Ruth teams, ages 13-15, and 6 Little League teams, ages 10-12. About 150 girls played in the middle of the afternoon on various diamonds throughout the village because the boys’ baseball program played in the early evening. The girls wore t-shirts with names such as the Purple Poppers, Orange Crush and Blue Ribbons.
A few years later the AGSA led by Joe Layden, Jim Pasqualucci and Phil met with the village president and the village board to insist that the girls be given equal access to diamonds in the early evening. The AGSA also wanted the village to give the same financial support that it gave to the boys’ baseball program. The village board agreed and soon built a diamond exclusively for girls at Pioneer Park. Sponsors were found for the various teams and the girls were outfitted with new uniforms.
The next 15 years was a period of astounding growth for the AGSA. The AGSA held numerous fundraisers to develop a signature diamond at Pioneer Park. When the fundraising was completed, the Ashwaubenon business people had donated over $20,000 to light the diamond. The Village Rec. Dept. installed fencing for four batting cages and a new backstop, and the AGSA financed dugouts, blacktop and drain tile for the diamond. A Pee Wee League, ages 5-6, and Minor League, ages 8-9, were added bringing the total of girls playing softball in Ashwaubenon to over 500.
In the late 90’s the AGSA and the Village Rec. Dept put another ambitious plan into effect. Four new diamonds were built at Pioneer Park so the entire AGSA could play at one facility. Lights were installed on two of the diamonds, and a diamond for Pee Wee and Minor League was constructed. Also two new concession stands were built.
With Title 9 came equal times and facilities. One thing we did do a few years ago was to stop using ages and to go to grades. This was done to eliminate those kids who are too young or too old for a grade. We found these kids wanted to play with their classmates. We have close to 400 girls playing right now.