In 2004, AGSA established the "Dottie Stolze Award" for the player on each team who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and friendship.  The award is named for the late Alameda softball legend who possessed all these characteristics in abundance.

Stolze was playing women’s softball at Washington Park in Alameda when former major leaguer Max Carey signed her to play with his All American Girls Baseball League team, the Muskegon Lassies.  In her seven seasons in the AAGBL, she played every position except pitcher.  Her baseball trading card notes that she “made an unassisted double-play at first base while playing shortstop.”

When she retired from baseball, she went to college and became a physical education teacher and softball coach at Pinole Valley High School and DeAnza High School until she retired in 1991.  She lived in Alameda for 70 years until her death on July 19, 2003.

At the AGSA closing ceremonies, the Dottie Stolze Award will be presented to one girl from each team in recognition of her leadership, sportsmanship and friendship.  This is not an MVP award, as the recipient might not be the best athlete on a team, but a  player who best exemplifies all the attributes that are most important in youth sports.  A manager may choose the recipient in any way he or she wishes.  Some managers have the girls vote; others choose the recipient themselves.  In all cases there may be only one award recipient per team.

Click to learn more about Dottie Stolze a pioneering advocate and inspiration to women in sports and why we are proud to present an award in her name to players from AGSA!