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mai time me uues, victories ana recurus flowed from her talented right arm.“The Cubs were bad and the Sox weren't too much better,’' says this former fast pitch artist. This helps to explain why many games she played in drew up to 7,000 spectators. Another reason was the competition — sharpened by hundreds of women’s teams — was outstanding.When the war came, Dorothy joined a professional team formed by P.K. Wrig-ley.“His idea was that since the men would all be gone, he thought the big leagues would fold. So he started a professional team.”Playing for the Racine Bells, sheplayed in Wriglev Field exhibition gamesfor the Red Cross. But the major leaguers continued to play, the war ended and women’s softball began to fade away.Dorothy’s competitive nature must have rubbed off on Rick for he became a track star at Palatine High School. His mile relay team set a state record in 1968 — still the best mark ever for the Herald area.“Never a day goes by that I don’t think about Rick and the fact that he was so young and had so much to live for,” she says, still feeling the effects of his loss.“His friends were absolutely great. They talk about the teen-age kids, but some of the kids still write to me. Some of the girl friends are married now and have children and still WTite.”Along with their help that trying wfeek, they began a living memorial for Rick — a scholarship fund. Each year a deserving trackman receives benefits from it as well as a medal.Besides the assistance of his friends and her own, she’s made her comeback with the help of faith, her job and her hobby — breeding and training dogs (through the park district).A former physical education major,Dorothy now teaches fourth grade at Winston Churchill School in Palatine. Naturally she's pleased by the new emphasis on girls sports in high school.“I think that if a kid’s in sports — whether it be a boy or a girl — if he really is active, he doesn't have too much time to get into a lot of other things. At least that is the case if they’regoing to be good athletes.“I’d like to see more girls and morewomen become active,” says Dorothy. “Idon’t think our bit in life is just to stayby the stove. I think a well-rounded lifeis better.“It (sports) gives you a more complete life. It has for me. I’m not the happiest woman in the world. I wish I had my husband and my son ... I just feel I’vehad a good life even though I’ve hadtragedy.”Dorothy Ortman was a hall of famerlong before she was inducted.At Rolling MeadowsBob Greenlees blistered out games of 220-211-156-—587 to pace the Palatine Majors Men’s League at Rolling Meadows. J. Stones was also in the groove withscores of 199-181-174—554 while Larry Zeno recorded 192-193-157—542.John Paoline had things pretty much his own way for the Palatine Majors Men’s League at Rolling Meadows when he scored with games of 211-183 186—580. Joe Hartmann contributed 202-210-136—548. Nash 135-175-224-534 and Elmer Dotson 187-182-166—535.V.V 'v*’- \ --vTaTB -i.-*»»«■ * uftu'V..’.i - ^SOLDIER FIELD FLINGER. Showing pares to cut loose a fastball Shethe form that helped her team to sec- starred in Chicago in the ‘30s andond place finishes twice in the World 40s.Tournament, Dorothy Ortman pre-
Newspaper Details
Roselle Herald
Roselle, Illinois, US
Thu, Sep 28, 1972
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert P.
IL, USA 29 Mar 2018
Other Publications Near Roselle, Illinois
Roselle Register
Roselle Herald
