Nalda Bird

Nalda Marie Bird [Phillips] (February 11, 1927 – September 15, 2004) was a starting pitcher and outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during the season. Listed at , 115 lb., Bird batted right-handed and threw left-handed. She was nicknamed "Birdie". Sometimes she is credited as Nelda Bird.

Early life A native of Los Angeles, California, Nalda Bird was the daughter of James Henry Bird, Sr. and Donalda Quesnel Bird. She grew up with three brothers who taught her how to play baseball. At age 10 she began playing organized softball, and a year later she joined a semi-professional team. She later became a top all-around athlete while in high school. At 17, she was invited to the 1945 spring training of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Before that, a player from Los Angeles Angels PCL team worked with her on playing baseball. Finally, she was signed to a contract and was allocated to the South Bend Blue Sox. She hurled a no-hitter in her only season in Chicago, and retired to take care of her husband and little boy. She was widowed in 1991.

Nalda Bird-Phillips died in Kennesaw, Georgia, at the age of 77.

Pitching statistics GPWLW-L%ERAIPHRERBBSOWHIP 31 13 17 .433 2.70 223 135 117 67 160 128 1.322 In their annual reunions since 1998, it is usual to hear the original AAGPBL players singing We're the members of the All-American League. We come from cities near and far. We've got Canadians, Irish ones, and Swedes. We're all for one, we're one for all. We're all Americans.