AAGPBL Interview - Inez Voyce

Inez Voyce was a longtime member of the Grand Rapids Chicks. Inez is #2 on the AAGPBL career RBI list. She gave her time for the following interview.

1) How did you get interested in playing baseball and where did you play before you turned pro?

It was not a question of getting interested in playing baseball. I think I was born with the desire to do all sports. I was playing softball with boys since I was old enough to walk. I played ball in Seymour, Iowa. This is where I graduated from high school. We had a girls' basketball team that went to the State Tournament almost every year. We were pretty good at that also.

2) Describe your signing.

I happened to be in the US Navy as a 2nd class Yeoman. At the time of my discharge, which was in the spring of 1946, I was asked to go to spring training, which at the time was in Florida. I made the cut and was assigned to the South Bend Blue Sox. This is the first team I played for. After that, I was traded to the Grand Rapids Chicks. I finished my career with the Chicks. 1946 South Bend Blue Sox, 1947 through 1953 with the Chicks.

3) What position(s) did you play?

I hit left handed and was a first baseman.

4) What was the best thing about playing pro ball?

Doing what I thought was a lot of fun. Besides getting to see a lot of the US.

5) What was the worst thing about playing ball?

Riding buses all night to get home.

6) What was the highlight of your career?

Hitting two home runs in one game.

Also, playing Rockford one night a left hander was pitching (being a left hander I did not like left handed pitching). The manager took the left hander out and put in their ace right hander to pitch to me. I proceeded to get a double over the second baseman's head and we ended up winning the game.

7) Who were the best players you played with or faced? Comments?

Jean Faut of South Bend. Sophie Kurys of Racine. Doris Sams of Muskegon. There would be quite a few, it would be hard to mention them all.

8) Do you think the fans and press accepted you more as the years wore on? (Describe how it was when you started. Did increased exposure change some minds?)

The Grand Rapids Press gave us beautiful write ups. Our games were broadcasted over the radio.

9. Who were your favorite big league ballplayers during the era you played in?

When I was playing in Grand Rapids I was a fan of the Detroit Tigers. No favorites. However, being raised in a small town in Iowa I was a Chicago Cubs an when I was growing up.

10) Do you follow big league ball now? If so, how do you think it compares with your day?

I follow the LA Dodgers and the Anaheim Angels. Their baseball gloves today are so much bigger than in our era. They seem to give the ballplayers another foot on their reach.

11) Should women have their own pro league, should they play in the majors, or should we have both (a women's league and the chance for the best women players to play in the majors?)

Women should have a pro league. However, do not compete against men. They should cut the diamond down and also the size of the ball should be as we had it. Make it a girl's baseball game.

12) How do you feel about the Silver Bullets?

My answer above should tell you how I felt about the Silver Bullets.

13) Briefly describe your life since your pro career ended.

After my baseball career I went to work for a small company. Worked for them for 32 years. Took up golf. In fact, I am still playing golf.

14) What advice do you have for young women who want to become pro ballplayers?

Practice whatever sport you are interested in. Go For It.

I do not regret having played baseball, however, I greatly enjoyed my high school days of basketball. I also went to business college after high school. Played for the A.I.C. of Davenport, Iowa.

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