ASSINIBOIA — “A League of Their Own,” depicting the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), might have made reference to Ogema-born Arleene Noga.
It certainly included her baseball talent as she was brought on as an advisor for the well-known sports movie.
Imagine having Saskatchewan represented at The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside famous Toronto Blue Jay, Jose Bautista. The Veterans Committee Inductees include the only Saskatchewan induction for Noga.
Noga was an outstanding softball player when she was signed by the AAGPBL in 1944.
Her bio on the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame website, announcing the class of 2025 inductions says, “Noga joined the Fort Wayne Daisies for 15 games in 1945 before being dealt to the Muskegon Lassies. The sure-handed infielder proceeded to establish a league record for best fielding percentage (.942) by a third baseman and helped lead the Lassies to a pennant in 1947.
At one point, Noga played over 300 consecutive games, which garnered her the nickname “Iron Lady.” In all, she competed in 354 AAGPBL games, which is the eighth-most among Canadians who played in the league. She also ranks ninth among Canadian AAGPBL players in at-bats, totalling 1,1119, 91 RBIs and 213 stolen bases, along with tenth in hits (183) and runs (103).
Following her AAGPBL career, Noga returned to Regina where she was part of nine provincial championship-winning softball teams., and five Western Canadian championships.
But she never lost her connection with the AAGPBL. She served as a member of the board of directors of the AAGPBL Players Association for 12 years and was a spokesperson for Canadian AAGPBL women.
The big movie screen came calling. Her playing prowess was an asset when she was brought on board as a technical advisor for Penny Marshall’s film, A League of Their Own. The movie tells the tale of the AAGPBL. On set, Noga worked with many actors, teaching Rosie O’Donnell the nuances of playing shortstop and also teaching Madonna how to slide. Not bad for a small-town Saskatchewan girl.
Noga was also a tireless promoter of women’s baseball across the country, speaking at school assemblies and banquets and assisting at baseball clinics for girls. For her efforts, she was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame the following year. In October 2004, she was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.
She passed away on March 14, 2017, in Regina.
The website included a statement from her daughter.
“I was surprised and honoured to learn that my mom, Arleene Johnson Noga, was to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this year. I was surprised because I had no idea that this was in the works, but I feel honoured because she dedicated most of her life to baseball and empowering women in sport as a player, coach, mentor, and ambassador. Thank you for the recognition of her accomplishments and her passion.”
In 2004, Arleene was honoured by her hometown of Ogema when the historical heritage grandstand was dedicated the “Arleene Johnson-Noga Grandstand” in recognition of her athletic accomplishments, baseball in particular. She accomplished many of these athletic endeavours while working approximately 30 years with the Government of Saskatchewan, including five years with the premier’s secretariat, and raising a family as well.
Noga’s induction will take place June 7. She was born on New Year’s Day in Ogema. Her primary position was third base, batting right and throwing right.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2025 class will be honoured in a ceremony at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Mary’s, Ont.
“We are proud and excited to celebrate the outstanding careers of this year’s inductees in St. Mary’s this June,” said Jeremy Diamond, chair of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s board of directors.
“Each of them, in their own distinct way, has had a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in our country.”
You can read all about this year’s inductees, which include this remarkable Saskatchewan woman as well as well-known Toronto Blue Jay, the infamous bat flipper, Jose Bautista
Welcome Hall of Fame Class of 2025! - Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
