Eilaine Roth

Background

Born in Michigan City, Indiana, Eilaine Roth was the daughter of Herman and Elsie (née Kumnatzke) Roth.

Education

The twins attended Elston High School, graduating in 1946.

Career

Listed at 5" 2", 123 pounds, she batted and threw right-handed. The Roth twins joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1948 with the Peoria Redwings. They played together for two years as the "dynamic duo" (″East″ and ″I″), because it worked well for promotion, but when the team folded before the 1951 season, Eilaine was relocated to the Kalamazoo Lassies and Ellaine joined the South Bend Blue Sox.

In 1953, the sisters came together again in Kalamazoo.

Her most productive season came in 1950, when she posted career numbers in games played (107), hits (78) and stolen bases (64), while hitting a.202 average. Used sparingly in 1954, she hit.251 (52-for-207) in 79 games.

After leaving the league, Roth played slow-pitch softball in a factory league from 1954 to 1957. She later worked 21 years as an inspector for Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Eilaine Roth died in Springfield, Michigan, aged 82, following complications from cancer.

Achievements

• A spot starter and dependable reliever, she posted a career record of 45–69 and was a member of the Champion Team during what turned out to be the league's final 1954 season. Pitcher Gloria Cordes hurled and lost the opener, but Nancy Warren and Roth won games two and three, respectively.