The girl wonder
Discover the captivating story of Alta Weiss, who began her baseball pitching career at the age of 14. By 16, she had a county-wide reputation playing with boys' teams. Learn more about this remarkable woman who loved hardball and whose uniform is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A pitching prodigy
Alta Weiss's talent emerged early. At 14, she was already competing with boys' ball teams, establishing herself as a formidable pitcher. Her passion for the game and skill on the mound quickly garnered attention throughout the county.
Alta pitched her way through college, she was the only woman member of the 1914 class graduated by Starling-Ohio Medical College, she paid her four years tuition in college by being a pitcher and manager of the Weiss All-Star baseball team of Cleveland. She was known as the only woman pitcher in the state who could hold her own with the men. Alta set up office in Norwalk, Oh where she practiced medicine for 20 years, she returned to Ragersville following the death of her father in 1946, to phase out his practice. Within a few years she completely retired from the medical practice and lived out her remaining years in her home on the square of Ragersville. She passed away February 12, 1964 and is buried in West Lawn Cemetery in Winesburg, Ohio.
Hardball at heart
Even later in life, Alta expressed that she preferred the challenges of hardball over the prospect of playing on a softball team. The man's game was where her heart was, and her dedication to it shone through her entire life.
Hall of fame honor
Alta Weiss's legacy is immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, where her baseball uniform is proudly displayed. It's a testament to her pioneering spirit and impact on the sport.
The picture to the left Alta entered the following items in her account book, the year was 1908 while at an engagement in Tiffin, Oh.