Olive Little

Olive Bend Little (Ollie)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 3", Weight 135 lb.

• Born May 17, 1917 in Poplar Point, MB Canada
• Died February 2, 1987 in Poplar Point, MB Canada

Olive Little was a pitcher for the Rockford Peaches in the AAGPBL in 1943 and again in 1945 and 1946. Renowned for her fastball, she pitched three no-hitters including the league's first on June 10, 1943, however she was tagged for two runs in that game. Little tossed the AAGPBL’s first no-hit, no-run game on August 15, 1943, against the first-place South Bend Blue Sox.

She won 21 games with 151 strikeouts in the league's first season (1943).

Little took the 1944 seasons off to have a baby but came back the next year and won 22 games. She played one more season, going 14-17. In her three year career, Olive had a lifetime ERA of 2.23.

She was one of the most popular Rockford Peaches in the early years of the team's history. The Peaches held two Olive Little Nights in her honor.

Further Reading

• Gary Belleville: "August 15, 1943: Canada’s Olive Little tosses first no-hit, no-run game in AAGPBL history," SABR Baseball Games Project.