Midge Nelson

Marjorie Eileen "Midge" Nelson (born 1937) is a former softball player from Australia. She is considered one of the greatest softball players from Australia, competing in the Women's Softball World Cup four times. She was the first Australian softball player to be inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame. She also played field hockey for Australia. The Midge Nelson Medal is awarded to the most valuable player at the Australian Softball Federation's national championships.

Early life and sport Marjorie Eileen Nelson was born on 2 February 1937 in Cottesloe, Western Australia, one of four children. She played softball with the Freemantle Rebels from the age of 16 and in 1956 made the Western Australia state team. She also played hockey in the winter and five-a-side basketball in 1958. She went to nationals with the Western Australian softball team four times, captaining the team to victory in 1959.

Nelson travelled to Victoria in 1959. She was selected for the Victorian state teams for basketball, hockey, and softball. During her time with the Victorian softball team, her team went to nationals 19 times and won the title 12 times. for "service to softball and hockey". She was the first Australian softball player to be inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame in 1983 The most valuable player at the Australian Softball Federation's national championships is awarded the Midge Nelson Medal. A wool softball cap she wore is part of the collection of the Australian Sports Museum.