Dolly Vardens

The Dolly Vardens was the name of a number of teams from the 1860s to 1880s. These teams ranged from all-white male players to all-black male teams, to even a Philadelphia-based all-black female one. The black women's team was founded by John Lang in 1883 and is thought to be the first black women's baseball team. There is evidence that suggests there were multiple black women's teams at this time. Many of the player's names are lost; however thanks to research by John Thorn and other researchers, a semi-complete list of names and positions survives. These teams seem to have been viewed more as some kind of experimental freak shows at the time, rather than serious baseball teams.

1883 black women's Dolly Vardens players

• Cora Patten - Pitcher
• Ella Thompson - Catcher
• Mollie Johnson - First baseman
• Sallie Jonstone - Second baseman
  • Ella Harris - Shortstop/captain
• Lizzie Waters - Third baseman
• Rhoda Scholl - Left fielder
• Ella Johnson - Center fielder
• Agnes Hollingsworth - Right fielder

Related Sites

• Protoball