Baseball Charm School

I would like to present to you all some highlights from the Charm School Guide of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Honestly and without snark, I have always found the bulk of it to be pretty great advice for life in general, regardless of gender or propensity for baseball. I have edited out some less applicable bits, and emphasis is added. Good luck out there, All-Americans!

“If you plan your days to establish an easy and simple routine, so that your meals are regular and well balanced, so that you have time for outside play and relaxation, so that you sleep at least eight hours each night, and so that your normal functions are regular, you will be on the alert, do your job well, and gain the greatest joy from living. Always remember that your mind and your body are interrelated, and you cannot neglect one without causing the other to suffer. A healthy mind and a healthy body are the true attributes of the All-American girl.”

“Remember the skin, the hair, the teeth and the eyes. It is most desirable in your own interests, that of your teammates and fellow players, as well as from the standpoint of the public relations of the league, that each girl be at all times presentable and attractive, whether on the playing field or at leisure. Study your own beauty culture possibilities and without overdoing your beauty treatment at the risk of attaining gaudiness, practice the little measure that will reflect well on your appearance and personality as a real All­-American girl.”

“Remember, the All­-American girl is subjected to greater exposure through her activities on the diamond, through exertion in greater body warmth and perspiration, through exposure to dirt, grime and dust and through vigorous play to scratches, cuts, abrasions and sprains. This means extra precaution to assure all the niceties of toilette and personality. Especially “after the game,”the All American girl should take time to observe the necessary beauty ritual, to protect both her health and appearance.”

“If you suffer any skin abrasion or injury, or if you discern any aches or pains that do not appear to be normal, report them at once to your coach or chaperon or the person responsible for treatment and first aid. Don’t laugh off slight ailments as trivialities because they can often develop into serious infection or troublesome conditions that can handicap your play and cause personal inconvenience. See that your injuries, however slight, receive immediate attention. Guard your health and welfare.”

“Not a great deal need be said about the teeth, because every All­-American girl instinctively recognizes their importance to her health, her appearance and her personality. There are many good tooth cleansing preparations on the market and they should be used regularly to keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy. A regular visit to a reliable dentist is recommended and certainly no tooth ailment should be neglected for a moment.”

“There are a number of very fine deodorants on the market which can be used freely all over the body. The most important feature of some of these products is the fact that the fragrance stays perspiration proof all day long. These deodorants can be used especially where excess perspiration occurs and can be used safely and effectively without retarding natural perspiration. The All-American girl is naturally susceptible because of her vigorous activities and it certainly pays dividends to be on the safe side. Deodorant keeps you fresh and gives you assurance and confidence in your social contacts.”

“The eyes indicate your physical fitness and therefore need your thoughtful attention and care. They bespeak your inner most thoughts. They reflect your own joy of living, or they can sometimes falsely bespeak the listlessness of mind and body. Perhaps no other feature of your face has more to do with the impression of beauty, sparkle and personality which you portray.”

“Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of vegetables.”

“Every woman wants to have an attractive and pleasing mouth. As you speak, people watch your mouth and you can do much, with a few of the very simplest tools, to make your mouth invitingly bespeak your personality. ”

“Clothes, of course, have always been one of woman’s great problems and it might seem so to the All-American girl. However, with the exercising of good taste, the All-­American Girls Baseball League player can solve her problem in a tasteful manner and without great expense, without being encumbered with too great a wardrobe for the summer months. The accent, of course, is on neatness and feminine appeal. That is true of appearances on the playing field, on the street or in leisure moments. The uniforms adopted by the league have been designed for style and appeal and there is a tremendous advantage to the girl and to the team which makes the best of its equipment. From the standpoint of team morale, there is a real ‘lift’ noticeable in the smartly turned out and neatly arrayed aggregation. And from the public appeal standpoint, it is surprising how the crowd will respond to the team that appears on the field with a neatness and ‘snap’ in its appearance. The smart looking teams invariably play smart ball and you can add to your own drawing power and crowd appeal by looking the part of a ball player on the field. Wear your cap and keep it securely in place. Keep your uniform as clean and neat as possible. Always secure your stockings so that they are smooth and neat and remain in place. Keep your shoes clean and shining. And see if you don’t feel better and play better ball.”

“Emily Post says that ‘charm cannot exist without good manners.’ You do not have to have manners that follow particular rules but the continued practice of kind and friendly impulses, a kind, proper and courteous approach, cannot help but add to your personality and give you a big advantage in dealing with your every day contacts.”

“‘You know she is a lady as soon as she opens her mouth.’ The first requirement for charm of speech is a pleasing voice. A low voice, instead of a highpitched voice, is always most pleasing. Making yourself heard is also most desirable. Speak out clearly and enunciate properly. Be careful with the use of slang and the slurring of words in your contacts and conversations with the public.”

“Sportsmanship on the field and off is definitely aligned with etiquette. There is such a thing as wanting to win and fighting to win with all your heart and this is both commendable and desirable. It is another thing, however, to become known as a ‘poor loser’ who cannot accept the inevitable defeats in good grace. When you play ball, play hard and play for all you are worth. It is understandable, in the heat of excitement and the intense desire to win, that you may occasionally differ with a decision and impulse to protest violently is hard to control. The usually accepted pattern of a sportsman is the one who gives no expression or gesture of either chagrin or satisfaction and this is an admirable pattern. However, it is hard to control emotions completely and it is expected that a player might show dissatisfaction in the face of a bad “break” in the game and equal pleasure with a successful maneuver. Your pleasure may appear as gloating or bragging to your opponents. Win gracefully and modestly and lose gracefully too, if you can. Above all, avoid the showoff attitude in front of your opponents and the public. Be courteous and considerate in the event of unavoidable accidents or contacts on the field. Play the game hard and fair and you will earn the recognition and respect of teammates, opponents and public.”

“Accept invitations or decline them with graciousness. You may have opportunities to attend local functions and whenever it is in the best interests of the team and league, make every attempt to cooperate. Choose your new found friends carefully and well and when you participate in the social life of the community, always act and behave in good taste. If you are gracious, ladylike, friendly and cooperative, you will have the opportunity of choosing your own friends. Don’t become over friendly or too forward among new acquaintances or those in the community who wish to entertain you or you can readily out wear your welcome. Express your thanks and appreciation for the kindness and hospitality that are extended to you and make yourself welcome again.”

“In a final summing up, be neat and presentable in your appearance and dress, be clean and wholesome in appearance, be polite and considerate in your daily contacts, avoid noisy, rough and raucous talk and actions and be in all respects a truly All­-American girl.”

The full handbook and lots of other great info is accessible at AAGPBL.org.

All photos courtesy The State Library and Archive of Florida.

As always, click to embiggen.