Grayson, Betty Evans (1925–1979)

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Grayson, Betty Evans (1925–1979)

American softball pitcher. Name variations: Betty Evans. Born Betty Evans in Portland, Oregon, on October 9, 1925; died on July 9, 1979.

Played 17 years as an amateur, with a record of 465 wins and 91 losses, and three as a pro with the Chicago Queens.

Betty Evans Grayson was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1925 and was a softball star in the Portland City League by the time she was 13. Originally an outfielder, she began to excel at pitching under her father's coaching. She was asked to join Erv Lind's Florists, a Portland softball team, and Portland fans began to call her "Bullet Betty" because of her exceptional pitching arm. In her 17 years with the Florists, Grayson had 465 wins and 91 losses, pitching three perfect games and 125 consecutive scoreless innings. In 1943, she led the Florists to the world title and the next year to the national championship. She had an unusual opportunity as a female softball player to become a pro. Grayson signed with the Chicago Queens and played three seasons. In 1950, she had a 35-5 record. In 1944, she was named Oregon Woman Athlete of the Year (1944); she was also named to the National Softball Hall of Fame (1959).

Karin Loewen Haag , Athens, Georgia

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Grayson, Betty Evans (1925–1979)

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