ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (WWSB) – Former professional baseball player and Englewood resident Sue Parsons Zipay died Monday, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association said. She was 91.
She played professional baseball after high school for the Rockford Peaches, part of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, and had an appearance in the 1992 Penny Marshall film “A League Of Their Own.”
She was also an accomplished tennis player. Moving to Englewood in 1987, she, along with her son, Bob, have owned the Englewood Tennis Club since 1989.
Zipay was born and raised in Hingham, Massachusetts. She joined the Peaches after high school, playing for the Peaches in 1953 and 1954.
Along with all AAGPBL players, Sue was recognized by and became a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 1988, and she was inducted into the Hingham High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Sue began playing tennis in the ’70s. She began her tennis teaching career in 1973 as assistant manager and teaching pro, achieving New England and national rankings in the 40+ division.
She was the FTA League Coordinator for USTA Junior Team Tennis in Region 5 prior to assuming the role of League Director for Team Tennis Junior League in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
After funds were cut for middle school tennis in Sarasota County, she worked with USPTA pros and private facilities and created a middle school league to fill the gap.
Most recently, Sue established the American Girls Baseball organization, which has been providing an opportunity for girls and women a chance to play baseball.
The 2025 AGB All-American Women’s Baseball Classic Tournament is coming up in a few weeks in Durham, North Carolina Aug. 1-3. The games will be played at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Sue served as a board member for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association.
She has three grown children, all residing in Florida, and six grandchildren. Benjamin Zipay of Osprey, the youngest at age 10, was a ranked USTA tournament player in 2013.
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