International Women’s Baseball Center receives donations for demolition costs

The International Women’s Baseball Center, Cathedral City, California, received a donation Aug. 1 to move the construction of a brick-and-mortar headquarters, museum and training center in Rockford, Illinois, forward, a report by the Rockford Register Star says. The $28,500 donation was made by 86-year-old California resident Janie Orr.

The money covers outstanding costs from demolishing two blighted buildings on the future building’s property located across from Beyer Stadium, home of the Rockford Peaches. Future money raised will be used to fund construction of the facility.

Orr pledged $200,000 total, the report days. She did not play women’s baseball but has followed the story of the International Women’s Baseball Center and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Orr is a lifelong friend of Maybelle Blair, a former Peoria Redwings player.

Beginning Aug. 2 through Aug. 5, Beyer Stadium will be home to Baseball for All Nationals, the largest all-female baseball tournament in the country.