Cooperstown Symposium – Skirting the Diamond
Cooperstown Symposium – Skirting the Diamond with Amie Cuevas Years ago, Jean Hastings Ardell started the “Skirting the Diamond” panel, which was held during the Cooperstown Symposium at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It took a brief hiatus after her passing, before Dr. Leslie Heaphy and Dr. Kat D. Williams helped to bring it […]
IWBC & ROCKFORD AWARDED WBSC WOMEN’S BASEBALL WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE 2026
IWBC and Illinois Event Resumé to Now Include Women’s Baseball World Cup for First Time Ever ROCKFORD, Ill., June 10, 2025 – As announced today, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has officially awarded the hosting rights of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 to the International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) in […]
Senator Steve Stadelman Announces $400,000 Commitment to Beyer Stadium Upgrades
SENATOR STADELMAN ANNOUNCES $400,000 COMMITMENT TO BEYER STADIUM UPGRADES Stadelman’s Support Accelerates IWBC Capital Campaign, Rockford’s Pursuit of Women’s Pro Baseball ROCKFORD, Ill., April 28, 2025 – As announced today during a news conference, Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman is committing $400,000 in state funds to help the International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) make the […]
Meet our Members – Mary Shea
Meet Our Members – Mary Shea My relationship with baseball? It’s complicated. After my mother moved with her family from Mexico City to New York in 1930, they became big Yankees fans. But 27 World Series championships was too much winning for me, so I became a diehard Cubs fan for decades. Wrigley Field felt […]
Meet Our Members – Amie Cuevas
Meet Our Members – Amie Cuevas Let me introduce myself… Growing up, I loved to write, take pictures, and capture moments. I also had a fledgling love of baseball. As a kid, I liked the games we would go to at Dodger Stadium. Even though I never got to play seriously, I enjoyed being on […]
2025 Hustle Award
The IWBC is delighted to announce the nominees and the winner of this year’s Hustle Award. This prestigious award, bestowed by the International Women’s Baseball Center in honor of beloved Rockford Peaches player, Shirley “Hustle” Burkovich, celebrates an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment, leadership, and dedication to the empowerment of women in all aspects of baseball and life. […]
Peaches’ Legacy Strong As Ever in Rockford
Peaches’ Legacy Strong As Ever in Rockford – Ryan Woodward, IWBC While touring historic Beyer Stadium with a first time visitor this past weekend, I was reminded of what a special place it is for so many of us. My own first visit to Beyer, nearly 15 years ago, had me walking the basepaths, picturing […]
IWBC Archive Welcomes Jean Hastings Ardell Collection
IWBC Archive Welcomes Jean Hastings Ardell Collection October 24, 2024 – The International Women’s Baseball Center is honored to accept into its archival collection the research notes and personal papers of Jean Hastings Ardell, celebrated journalist and baseball writer. Born and raised in New York, Ardell developed a love of both books and baseball from […]
2024 Hustle Award Finalist Spotlight (and Winner)
Last year the International Women’s Baseball Center created the Hustle Award in honor and remembrance of beloved Rockford Peaches player and IWBC co-founder, Shirley “Hustle” Burkovich, which celebrates an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment, leadership, and dedication to the empowerment of women in all aspects of baseball and life. This year we invited nominations again […]
Oz Sailors Hustle Thank You Statement
The International Women’s Baseball Center’s 2024 Hustle Award Winner, Oz Sailors, provided these words following her announced winning of the award this year: Shirley Burkovich was one of the most influential and important people in my life. From her gentle and loving presence, to her unwavering faith and the joy she brought to every baseball […]