Charlene Pryer, grew up in Northern California, the daughter of a former minor league pitcher. She joined the Marines Women’s Reserve (USMCWR) out of high school in 1944. There, she spent most of her time entertaining troops as a singer with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra, rising to the rank of sergeant. 

After the war, she joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, playing for the Muskegon/Kalamazoo Lassies and the South Bend Blue Sox. Playing second base and outfield, she earned the nickname “Shorty” for her 5’ 1”, 105 lbs, frame. In 1951 she was on the All-Star Team, leading the league in stolen bases, hits and runs scored. 

That season, the Blue Sox won the Playoff Championship, beat the Rockford Peaches, the team featured in the movie “A League of Their Own.” The Blue Sox won the championship in 1952 as well, but Pryer had left the league shortly before the playoffs due to a dispute with the manager. In solidarity, five other players sat out the playoffs that year. While the team later re-instated Pryer, she stayed out of the league. 1954 would be its last season. 
After retiring from baseball, she married Jack Stuart Mayer, a form TEC4 in the Arm, and moved to Medford, Oregon. There she spent the rest of her life. She was a truant officer for the school district for 25 years, retiring in 1994. She also worked as a campus monitor during recess where she would help the kids hone their baseball skills. She also volunteered at the Rogue Valley Medical Center 

In 1999 she died at the age of 77. Medford’s Wilson Elementary School’s baseball field is named in her honor and she is part of the permanent display honoring the AAPGL at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. 


Marine Corps muster report from July 3, 1945, Mayer is listed.

Marine Corps muster report from July 3, 1945, Mayer is listed

A Marine Corps muster report from July 31, 1944

Marine Corps muster report showing Mayer July 31, 1944

Marine Corps Muster report listing Pryer on temporary duty to LA to make a  AFRTS record

Pryer listed as a vocalist with Marine Training Command.

Marine Corps Muster report from Marine Training Command listing her as a vocalist

A baseball card type graphic of Mayer she's crouched down about to throw the ball.

A new report of the Women's baseball league 

Marine Corps muster report showing Pryer as a Corporal, January 31, 1944.

Marine Corps muster report showing Pryer (her maiden name) as a Corporal, January 31, 1944.

CHARLENE BARBARA MAYER

Service

SGT

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us