Historic Reunion Set for Geena Davis’s Bentonville Film Festival as Associate Members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Will Appear Alongside Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell in “A League of Their Own” Celebratory Softball Game
Former Women’s Professional Baseball Players Gina Casey and Alice Fracasso Will Return to the Baseball Diamond at Naturals Stadium on May 7th
A historic reunion will take place at Geena Davis’s upcoming Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), when Gina Casey and Alice Fracasso, join Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell on the baseball diamond at Arvest Park, home of the minor league baseball team, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, on Thursday, May 7.
Sisters Gina Casey (85) and Alice Fracasso (90) are associate members of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) – the women’s professional baseball league (1943-1954) that inspired the beloved 1992 film “A League of Their Own,” starring Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Hanks, Lori Petty and Madonna, and directed by Penny Marshall.
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Fans in attendance will be treated to a truly iconic moment as Casey and Fracasso will be special guests for a BFF softball game that will feature two teams managed by their big screen counterparts – Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell.
Country music star Sara Evans will be on hand to sing the national anthem while two-time Olympic medalist and women’s softball icon Jennie Finch and Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon will be among the players suiting up for the game.
There will be an outdoor evening screening of “A League of Their Own” at the stadium following the game.
Said Davis, “The BFF exists to champion women and diversity and what better way to showcase this than to welcome two amazing women who were part of something remarkable that broke barriers and ushered in new opportunities for women in this country. Their continued pursuits to keep the stories alive and to keep women playing baseball (and all sports) are an inspiration for me personally, and for the ongoing BFF initiative.”
Davis added, “Talk about a softball game for the ages! This will be so much fun – and just so everyone knows, there is no way may team is losing to Rosie’s team.”
Gina Casey and Alice Fracasso played for the Riverside Townies in Rhode Island from 1944 to 1945. Gina, once a second baseman, and Alice, a former catcher, were part of a group of Townies teammates that were scouted to attend a two-week tryout for the AAGPBL. Five of the ladies on their team were drafted and one of them was Alice.
The Riverside Townies were City and State Champs from 1944-1951. They lost the championship in 1952 and then won it back in 1953.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN – BFF
The sisters were inspired by the new opportunity presented for women and remained active with the AAGPL and the positive overarching message the league was sending to young women. They have been active associate members of the AAGPBL for 21 years (Gina) and 24 years (Alice).
Representing the AAGPBL, Gina and Alice have made appearances at events such as the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament, B.A.D.: Baseballers Against Drugs Auction, the World Children’s Baseball five-day baseball camp, the Twelve Black Aces Golf Tournament, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Special Olympics and the Charity Auction for Desert Storm.
Most recently, Gina received an award: ‘Most Outstanding Associate Member’ for years of dedication and service. Along with raising funds for the association, the sisters work to keep the story of women playing in baseball alive. They currently reside in Grove, Oklahoma.
