One more at bat

It was all one woman could ask for: another day to reminisce about America’s pastime.

Mildred “Meach” Meacham, 92, was part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the same league that was the inspiration for the movie “A League of Their Own.”

Meacham played for the Fort Wayne Daisies and Racine Belles in 1947 and the Springfield Sallies in 1948. She was a first baseman. Meacham is the second-oldest living player in the league.

She was granted the Wish of a Lifetime in partnership with Brookdale Senior Living. Together, the organizations arranged a visit between Meacham and Alex “Lulu” Fulmer, 17, the youngest player on Team U.S.A.

Meacham lit up when she saw Fulmer, who presented her with an engraved baseball bat, Team U.S.A. jersey and certificate from The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

But perhaps the best gift, perhaps, was the chance to talk shop.

The two women learned to love the sport by playing with their brothers. Meacham says to she preferred baseball over softball because the ball “goes faster.” Meacham learned she made the team when an AAGPBL scout came to her home to recruit her, and she begged her mother to let her go play ball.

“I just loved it,” Meacham says to MLB.com. “I just loved being out there with all the girls.”

“When I’m playing baseball,” Fulmer says, “everything else goes away.”

“Don’t take anything for granted,” Meacham says. “It goes by so fast.”

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.