Helen Waddell
Helen Jane Waddell (31 May 1889 – 5 March 1965) was an Irish poet, translator and playwright.
Biography
She was born in Tokyo, the tenth and youngest child of Hugh Waddell, a Presbyterian minister and missionary who was lecturing in the Imperial University. She spent the first eleven years of her life in Japan before her family returned to Belfast. Her mother died shortly afterwards, and her father re-married. Hugh Waddell himself died and left his younger children in the care of their stepmother. Following the marriage of her elder sister Meg, Helen was left at home to care for Mrs Waddell, whose health was deteriorating.
Helen was educated at Victoria College for Girls and Queen's University Belfast, where she studied under Professor Gregory Smith, graduating in 1911. She followed her BA with first class honours in English with a master’s degree, and in 1919 enrolled in Somerville College, Oxford, to study for her doctorate. A travelling scholarship from Lady Margaret Hall in 1923 allowed her to conduct research in Paris.
Helen Waddell (baseball)
Helen "Sis" Waddell-Wyatt (born April 24, 1930) played for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1949 to 1951. She both threw and batted right-handed in outfield, and utility infield positions.
Early life and family
Waddell was born in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. She had five older brothers, who she claimed, "beat the hell out of [her]," toughening her up which helped her with her baseball. She married Neil Wyatt in 1951. They were married for 53 years and had two sons.
Baseball career
After trying out for the AAGPBL in 1949, she was assigned to spring training for the South Bend Blue Sox. She never played for South Bend, being traded to the Rockford Peaches just before the start of the 1950 season. Waddell played with the Springfield Sallies (1949), the Rockford Peaches (1950, 1951) and the Battle Creek Belles (1951). When she played for the Rockford Peaches, the team was managed by Bill Allington. She played second base for the Peaches when they won the All-American Girls Professional Baseball title in 1951.
