17 Facts About Edith Houghton

Edith Grace Houghton was an American professional baseball player and scout.

Edith Houghton served in that role until 1952, when she returned to active service in the United States Navy.

Edith Houghton had joined the WAVES during World War II.

Around 1917, Edith Houghton moved with her parents and nine older brothers and sisters to their brand-new house at 25th and Diamond Streets.

Edith Houghton was a skilled baseball player who taught his youngest daughter many techniques.

Too young to join a factory team, in 1922 the ten-year-old Edith Houghton tried out for the Philadelphia Bobbies, a semi-pro team for non-working girls.

Edith Houghton quickly became the star, her fielding and batting skills drew the attention of fans and reporters, as did her youth.

Edith Houghton was the youngest on a team made up of mostly teenage girls.

The Bobbies practiced in Fairmount Park, where Edith Houghton was a standout athlete and baseball player.

In 1925, she and the team travelled to Japan to play baseball against men; Edith Houghton was then 13 years old.

Edith Houghton briefly attended the new Simon Gratz High School, which had many sports that she wanted to play.

Edith Houghton went on to play for semi-pro baseball teams until she started softball in the 1930s.

Edith Houghton later played with other women's pro teams such as the Hollywood Girls and the New York Bloomer Girls.

In December 1944, Edith Houghton's unit was transferred to New York.

In 1945, Edith Houghton was discharged from the WAVES but was recruited again and became the Chief Master of Arms.

Edith Houghton left the team in 1952 and rejoined the Navy, where she served during the Korean and Vietnam wars and retired as a chief petty officer.

In 1964, Edith Houghton left Philadelphia and moved to Sarasota, Florida, where she lived until her death on February 2,2013, eight days before her 101st birthday.