The Development of Organized Ladies Softball in Mississauga, 1930-1974
Discover the leagues, teams, people, and ballparks that played an important role in the development of organized softball for ladies in Mississauga from 1930 to 1974.
Created by Sophie Orlando in collaboration with the Mississauga Sports Council and the University of Toronto Mississauga.
1928-05-01 00:00:00
How To Guide
Tips for using the timeline and clarification of Toronto Township term.
1930-01-01 16:02:22
Role of Villages in Organized Ladies Softball
The villages comprising present-day Mississauga played an important role in ladies organized softball.
1930-05-16 16:02:22
Inter-Church Softball League Adds Junior Girls and Two Senior Girls Divisions
Addition of Junior Girls division and two Senior Girls divisions to the Inter-Church Softball League, formed in 1925.
1930-05-16 16:10:41
R. Graydon
Organized the Inter-Church Softball League.
1931-12-31 15:44:31
Origins of Organized Ladies Softball
It appears that organized softball for ladies in Mississauga has its origins in church leagues. In 1925, the Inter-Church Softball League was created; however, it was only available to boys and men. In 1927, an Open Ladies division was created. Ladies’ interest in softball began to grow, and in 1930, the Inter-Church Softball League operated with 2 Senior divisions and 1 Junior division for ladies. Churches from the villages forming Toronto Township, such as Port Credit, Clarkson, and Cooksville, as well as churches from Etobicoke participated in the league. Learning the origins of organized softball for ladies is important not only for sports history, but also important for gaining a better understanding of social history and demographics in Toronto Township (present-day Mississauga) around 1930. It is not surprising that organized softball for ladies has its origins in the church. At the time when our study starts (1930), churches played a central role in community life, especially for women. In addition to being a spiritual gathering place, the church also served as a social gathering place where many organizations and programs would operate. The local church was the hub of the community. As a result, churches are useful in helping to determine demographical factors, such as population density through location of churches and religious affiliation.
1932-02-01 16:02:22
Importance of Ballparks
A few key pieces of information ballparks provide us with.
1932-04-28 12:21:51
Map of Ballparks
Click "Find out more" for a map of the ballparks in Mississauga.
1934-05-28 21:49:13
Dionne Quintuplets Born
Born in Corbeil, Ontario, the Dionne Quintuplets were the first known quintuplets to survive into adulthood.
1937-06-16 04:00:56
"Ladies Four League" Created
Creation of Ladies Four League consisting of four teams.
1939-07-06 16:10:41
Lakeshore Young People Softball League of United Church Created
Creation of Lakeshore Young People Softball League, a co-ed league with each of the four teams consisting of five girls and five boys.
1939-09-01 16:02:22
World War II
On September 1, 1939 World War II began. It ended nearly six years later with an Allied win and defeat of the Axis forces.
1942-05-26 03:43:01
Role of Local Industry in Organized Ladies Softball
Read about local industry's contributions to ladies organized softball.
1946-04-25 16:41:14
Construction of Cooksville Fairgrounds Softball Diamonds
Construction beginning on two softball diamonds in the Cooksville Fairgrounds.
1946-05-23 03:50:18
Ladies Lakeshore League Created
Creation of Ladies Lakeshore League with seven Etobicoke/Lakeshore area teams.
1947-07-10 16:41:14
Ladies Lakeshore League
Ladies Lakeshore League operating for a second season with five teams.
1947-07-17 16:41:14
Girls Softball League Created
Creation of Girls Softball League with five teams.
1948-05-20 13:58:44
Toronto Township Softball Association Created
Creation of the Toronto Township Softball Association (TTSA) featuring an Intermediate and Juvenile Ladies division.
1949-04-28 13:58:44
Toronto Township Softball Association Adds New Division
Junior girls division added to the existing Intermediate and Juvenile divisions in the Toronto Township Softball Association. However, due to low enrolment, the Juvenile and Junior divisions were combined.
1949-08-25 23:36:56
Central Ontario Ladies League Created
Creation of Central Ontario Ladies League (COLL) with five teams.
1950-05-11 00:08:50
Central Ontario Ladies League
The Central Ontario Ladies League is operating for a second season with the original five teams.
1950-05-18 18:21:34
Toronto Township Softball Association
The Toronto Township Softball Association is operating for a third season featuring three divisions - Intermediate, Junior, and Juvenile.
1950-05-25 10:08:03
Grace Holmes
President of the Central Ontario Ladies League for the 1950 season. In 1949, she was the coach for the Dixie team of the COLL.
1951-05-24 19:34:34
Toronto Township Softball Association
Toronto Township Softball Association operating for a fourth season with a Junior and Juvenile division.
1951-05-31 21:02:05
Central Ontario Ladies League
Central Ontario Ladies League is operating for a third season with a new entry from the Campbell Soup Ladies.
1952-06-05 09:59:28
Toronto Township Softball Association Down to One Girls Division
The Toronto Township Softball Association is operating for a fifth season; however, only offering a Juvenile Ladies division.
1952-06-05 18:11:13
Central Ontario Ladies League Going Strong
The Central Ontario Ladies League is continuing to operate for a fourth season, with the entry of seven teams.
1953-06-02 21:10:01
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1953-06-25 09:59:28
Toronto Township Softball Association
The Toronto Township Softball Association is still operating with one girls division (Intermediate) for its sixth season.
1954-05-20 23:35:07
Central Ontario Ladies League Still Running
The Central Ontario Ladies League is still operating this year with five teams.
1954-06-17 23:35:07
Toronto Township Softball Association
The Toronto Township Softball Association is operating for a seventh season. It was originally set to offer a Junior and Juvenile division; however, due to low enrolment only a Juvenile division went forward for the summer.
1955-05-12 10:44:49
Central Ontario Ladies League on Hiatus
The Central Ontario Ladies League not in operation this year after a six year run.
1955-05-12 12:47:42
Worst Turnout for Toronto Township Softball Association
Despite operating for an eighth straight season, the Toronto Township Softball Association is only running a Juvenile Ladies division with just four teams.
1956-05-17 15:45:05
Central Ontario Ladies League Back in Action
The Central Ontario Ladies League is back in action after a one year hiatus with a five team loop.
1956-05-24 22:37:59
Toronto Township Softball Association Still Operating at Low Capacity
The Toronto Township Softball Association for a fifth consecutive year will only operate one girls division (Juvenile).
1957-05-02 12:36:36
Norm Lawson
Convener of Toronto Township Girls Softball League.
1957-05-02 20:35:49
Dixie Ladies Fastball League Created
The Dixie Ladies Fastball League is created with a four team loop.
1957-05-02 22:37:59
Toronto Township Softball Association Operates Under New Name With Higher Enrolment
A new Toronto Township softball league has been formed, operating under the name of Toronto Township Girls Softball League, with a Junior and Juvenile division.
1958-04-10 20:35:49
Dixie Ladies Fastball League Adds to Two Teams
The Dixie Ladies Fastball League is in operation for its second season, adding two new teams in Alderwood and Burnhamthorpe.
1958-08-07 20:35:49
Toronto Township Girls Softball League Down to One Division
The newly formed Toronto Township Girls Softball League is down one division from last year, only operating a Juvenile division.
1959-05-07 20:35:49
Dixie Ladies Fastball League Expands to Two Divisions
The Juvenile Girls division of the Toronto Township Girls Softball League merged with the Dixie Ladies Fastball League to add a second division this year.
1960-04-28 15:39:58
Dixie Ladies Fastball League
The Dixie Ladies Fastball League is in operation for a fourth season with two divisions.
1961-05-04 15:39:58
First House League for Girls Softball Created in Port Credit
Creation of the Port Credit Minor Softball League (PCMSL), which is the first House League competition offered for girls.
1961-05-04 15:39:58
Dixie Ladies Fastball League Still Going Strong
The Dixie Ladies Fastball League will operate two divisions for a third straight year.
1962-01-02 15:39:58
Dick Slemin
Local councillor of Port Credit and lead organizer of the Port Credit Minor Softball League.
1963-01-01 21:49:13
Beatlemania
Beginning of Beatlemania in the early 1960s.
1963-08-15 15:39:58
Port Credit Minor Softball League Continues Successful Operation
The Port Credit Minor Softball League is operating for a third season offering a Senior and Junior Girls division.
1964-05-07 07:35:01
Port Credit Minor Softball League
The Port Credit Minor Softball League continues to operate two girls divisions, offering local youth the chance to play softball in an organized setting.
1964-06-04 07:35:01
Dixie Ladies Fastball League is Back
After a two year hiatus, the Dixie Ladies Fastball League is back in operation with a five team loop.
1965-05-01 07:35:01
Southern Ontario Ladies Softball League Created
Creation of Southern Ontario Ladies Softball League with seven teams.
1965-07-08 16:34:15
Port Credit Minor Softball League Growing
The Port Credit Minor Softball League continues to grow, with six teams entered in the Junior division.