SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - This year marks the 20th anniversary of the classic film "A League of Their Own." As part of the film's commemoration, a women's softball team known as the Utah Shamrocks are also being honored.
The Utah Shamrocks played during the same era as teams in the film. They were part of the Pacific Coast League and competed against other teams throughout the west.
For these women who now are in their 80's - playing softball wasn't necessarily about winning. Even though they were competitive, glory took a back seat to love of the game. "We just enjoyed each other's company and we loved the sport, and we loved to win," says Marie Poll Cash, one of five sisters who played on the team.
As the oldest of the sisters, Donna Poll served as their inspiration. She played for the Shamrocks from 1948 to 1967. Even though women's sports weren't as popular back in the day Poll says people still came out to watch them play. "We had great crowds all the time. We always had great crowds. The stadium was filled."
Donna Poll and the rest of the Shamrock members still find time to be active and cheer on other teams. Friends and family say they serve as an inspiration. "I go to kid's games all the time and family games. In fact we go and holler at them because they don't hustle like we did." says Donna Poll.
"A League of Their Own" reminds these women of their glory days. However the Shamrocks played softball and in the movie, they play baseball.
"They were such good actresses and the movie was so good. It just made you proud to be a woman," says Carolyn Poll Child, the youngest of the Poll sisters.
The women of the Utah Shamrocks say playing competitve softball taught them a lot about the game of life. They still get together to reminisce good times. They acknowledge that women's sports are given a lot more credit in today's world, but they they say the team values they lived by are just as important as ever. Lou Jean Nelson, who taught school for several years after playing for the Shamrocks says she always shared with students her motto of putting forth one's very best effort. "If it's to be it's up to me. So you go out and play and you play the best you can and if you don't do it, then it's because you didn't try hard enough!"
The ladies of the Utah Shamrocks were honored at Friday night's Bee's game along with Oscar winning actress Geena Davis who starred in the film,
