Celebrate Ladies Night at FirstEnergy Stadium

The Reading Phillies have announced that on Thursday, August 19, all ladies are welcome to come out and celebrate a special "Ladies Night" at America's Classic Ballpark, which will feature a special reunion by nine former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League players, as well as a special $2,000 post-game Diamond Dig, thanks to Rock Hits Y102 and J.A. Meyer Fine Jewelry, and an exciting post-game fireworks show, thanks to The Works at Wyomissing featuring the new "Ballocity". 

Great tickets for the Thursday's contest still remain, and can be purchased in-person at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office, by phone at (610) 375-8469, or online at readingphillies.com. Food court gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the Neo Trio will take the Classic Café stage from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. for a thrilling musical performance. Fans 21 and older can enjoy $1.00 off select beers from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. for Happy Hour. 

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was founded by Phillip K. Wrigley and existed from 1943-1954, will be well-represented on Thursday, and the R-Phils have a special night planned, which includes a meet and great session with the nine former players, as well as an autograph session for fans, thanks to Rock Hits Y102.

The nine former players, who will be represented at Thursday's game, feature a Pennridge - Quarkertown Hall of Famer, the winning pitcher of the 1954 All-Star game, a "Queen of Baseballtown", and other greats. 

Genine Noella Alverson (Noella LeDuc) played outfield and pitcher for the Peorla Redwings (1951), Battle Creek Belles (1952), Kalamazoo Lassies (1953), and the Fort Wayne Dasies (1954). In 1954, "Pinky" was the winning pitcher of the All-Star Game.

Gertrude Benner (Gertrude Alderfer) played first base for two seasons in the AAGPBL. She played for the Springfield Sallies in 1949, and both the Chicago Colleens and the Kalamazoo Lassies in 1950. Benner is a member of the Pennridge - Quakertown Hall of Fame.

Gloria Cordes - Elliott (Gloria Cordes) was a pitcher for the Racine Belles from 1950-1952 and the Kalamazoo Lassies from 1953-1954. In 1952, Gloria pitched 24 consecutive complete games and won 16 - Lost 8 with a 1.44 ERA.

Sarah Jane "Salty" Sands Ferguson (Sarah Jane Sands) played right field and catcher for the Rockford Peaches (1953-1954). In 1954, "Salty" made 2nd Team All-Stars and in 136 games only had 14 errors and had 24 assists from right field.

Ruth Hartman (Ruth "Rocky" Kramer) played second base and pitcher for the Racine Belles (1948) and the Fort Wayne Daisies (1946-1947). Ruth was named as the "Queen of Baseballtown" in 2008. She was also named Most Valuable Player for the Erie Skippers of the ASA Softball League during her career.

Amy Jurasinski (Amy Shuman) played first base for the South Bend Blue Sox (1946). 

Virginia "Jean" Ventura Manina (Virginia Ventura) played first base for the Rockford Peaches (1951-1953). Manina also played for the Chicago softball winter league in 1952. 

Joanne "Jo" McComb played first base for the Springfield Sallies in 1950. Bloomsburg University established the "Joanne McComb Outstanding Female Athlete Underclassmen Award".

Jane Moffet played catcher and outfield for the Springfield Sallies (1949, 1950) and the Kalamazoo Lassies (1951-1952). 

After the game on Thursday, as part of the "Ladies Night" celebration, there will be a post-game $2,000 Diamond Dig, presented by Rock Hits Y102 and J.A. Meyer Fine Jewelry. All Ladies 18 years old and older can sign-up for a chance to win a ring worth $2,000. Also, all fans will want to stick around for a spectacular post-game fireworks show. Fans can also ooh and ahh at one of the last fireworks shows of the 2010 season, thanks to The Works at Wyomissing featuring the new "Ballocity". 

Single-game tickets for the 2010 season, presented by Pepsi, are on-sale and can be purchased in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium, by calling (610) 375-8469 or by visiting www.readingphillies.com. Fans can also add the all-you-can-eat Deck Buffet to any ticket for only $11. "Bring the Fam to America's Classic Ballpark.