rewrite this title Sue Parsons Zipay, Woman’s Baseball Trailblazer, Dies at 91

Sue Parsons Zipay, a beloved member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) who proudly wore the uniform of the legendary Rockford Peaches, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025. She was 91.

Born in Medford, MA, Sue grew up with a glove in one hand and a bat in the other, forging her place in sports history at a time when women’s professional athletics were still fighting for recognition. In 1953, she joined the Rockford Peaches—the team later immortalized in the film A League of Their Own—where her dedication, skill, and love of the game inspired teammates and fans alike.

Though her professional baseball career spanned only a few seasons, Sue remained deeply connected to the AAGPBL throughout her life. She was a passionate ambassador for women’s sports, traveling to reunions, speaking at schools and community events, and working tirelessly to ensure the accomplishments of her fellow players would never be forgotten. 

Determined to make sure young women had more opportunities than her generation did, Sue founded American Girls Baseball (AGB) in 2019. AGB was created to benefit all-female baseball players who want the choice between softball and baseball, and to provide them with meaningful opportunities to train, participate, and compete in the game of baseball at every level—including high school, college, and professional. To carry this dream forward, AGB launched the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic, a national tournament celebrating female athletes of all ages and skill levels. The fourth annual Classic will be held August 1–3, 2025, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina—a testament to her vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in the future of women’s baseball.

Sue’s life off the field was as full as her time on it. She married and raised a family, enjoyed a long career in business, and delighted in mentoring generations of young athletes. Her warmth, humor, and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Sue’s contributions were honored when she was recognized at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as part of the permanent AAGPBL exhibit. Even in her later years, she remained an ardent supporter of efforts to ensure that girls and women could see themselves on the diamond and dream big.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, extended family, and a wide circle of dear friends and admirers across the country.

A celebration of Sue’s remarkable life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Girls Baseball, the organization Sue helped lead to build a future where girls and women can thrive in the sport she loved, at https://americangirlsbaseball.org/support-american-girls-baseball-donate-today/.

There truly was—and will never be—another like her.