2023 Honorary: Dottie Ferguson Key

 Dottie was introduced to sports at a very young age in Winnipeg, Canada where she was born. She inspired to be a figure skater like her hero, Sonja Henning but got a pair of speed skates for Christmas instead of figure skates. In 1939 she was named the North American women’s speed skating champion. Dottie had qualified for the 1940 Olympics but those were cancelled due to WWII. That didn’t stop her pursuing her other love, however.

Dottie’s love of baseball and success earned her a try-out with the All-American Girl’s Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) at Wrigley Field. She was selected to play for the Rockford Peaches earning $75/month in 1945. And her future husband followed her to Rockford.

Don Key was also an outstanding athlete who excelled in many sports. He was a member of Canada’s Olympic track and field team. Don received a call from the Cardinals. They wanted him to come to St. Louis for a tryout. Don declined the offer because he wanted to let Dottie “follow her dreams”.  In 1949 Dottie Ferguson married Don Key.

There is much written about Dottie Ferguson Key and her Rockford Peaches in many publications but what you don’t know about this great athlete is what she gave off the field in her twilight years.

Dottie and the women of the AAGPBL came out of obscurity when the movie “A League of Their Own” was released in 1992. Dottie and these women finally got the recognition they deserved. 

Rockford was awarded the USSSA Slo-Pitch Women’s World Series, Class A World, and the Great Lakes Class B Divisional tournaments in Rockford in 1993. “When Chuck Fischer, Master of Ceremonies, at this prestigious event announced Dottie’s name after the parade of teams were standing in the outfield, these grown women went nuts”, said Paulson. We also had Thomas Sanders and Wendell Davis, (Chicago Bear players) at this event but Dottie’s autograph line never ended in 3 days.

At the USSSA National Convention in the fall of 1993 Chuck Fischer was awarded the 12U Girls Slo-Pitch World Tournament. The first thing he did was contact Dottie to ask her to attend his event. “At the opening ceremonies at the football field in Shepardsville, KY and after all 64 teams were introduced and a few speeches were made, what brought every player to their feet was when the DJ started playing “This used to be My Playground”, followed by asking, “Anyone know this song”? and then again, the crowd when crazy.” Prior to the tournament, Chuck made 1000 copies of the Rockford Peaches team and 1000 pictures of Dottie in her Peaches uniform. “She signed all 2000 and numerous hats, gloves, bats, and uniforms. Dottie made this a great experience for everyone,” said Chuck.

In 1996, at Hutchinson, KS, 51 talented teams competed in the 16U and 18U divisions in the first USSSA Fast Pitch World Tournaments. What made this event so special was that Team Illinois had Dottie as their batgirl throughout the tournament! “This was a contributing factor in the 16U team finishing fourth” Myron said. By the way, Myron Schroeder, IL USSSA Director, inducted into the IL USSSA Hall of Fame in 2008, and IL Hall of Fame founding member of this Hall of Fame was also the coach. “An additional highlight was Dottie dancing all night with the girls at the tournament pizza party, while husband Don, could only shake his head at his wife’s dance floor moves,” said Myron.

“What great memories Dottie provided the 600+ participants as she signed pictures, balls, hats and even several pairs of shoes! She made the tournament one of the best as she promoted the USSSA with her presence. At the opening ceremonies she told the audience, “Professional Women’s Softball is coming.” Her vision was right!”

As her daughter Dona explained, “Mom always said follow your dreams”.

“There was no place or ballpark to far for Don and Dottie to hop into that big blue van and travel to Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan, or any other city or State for a softball event. Don enjoyed the traveling as much as Dottie. Dottie spent hours signing items and autographs for girls, women and even men who I witnessed were inspired by her. Dottie and her family became very dear friends of mine,” said Paulson.

Dottie lost her beloved Don in the fall of 2002, and she lost her second battle of breast cancer on May 8, 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Dona and son, Doug the hockey player and her 2 Granddaughters and 1 Grandson, and additional 3 Great Granddaughters and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.

Dottie Ferguson Key was one of the best ambassadors for the Rockford area community. She never asked for compensation for any of her travels she just loved the game and who would think this gentle soul would sacrifice her body just to get on base. (She led the league on walks due to her putting her hip in harms way) Her son, Doug says he got his competitive nature due to his mom’s aggressive behavior on the field during her playing days and off the field watching her son playing hockey as a 16U goalie. Officials were not spared her wrath either!

And so, this is almost the “rest of the story” for our dear friend Dottie Ferguson Key. Her love of Women’s baseball and softball was immeasurable.

Thank you, Dottie, for all your love of the sport and giving many young ladies inspiration to “follow your dreams”.