Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story

by Lynn Ames

"Dot Wilkinson is the greatest female catcher ever to play softball . A bold, pioneering athlete, she refused to let others define her and instead defined herself. Her story is an inspiration to people everywhere." — Billie Jean King, Sports Icon and Champion for Equality

It's not simply that Dot Wilkinson was one of the most decorated women's softball players, bowlers, and athletes of all time and one of the original players from the three-time-world-champion PBSW Phoenix Ramblers softball team (1933–1965). Nor was it the length of her time here on Earth—over a century—although any of these things by itself would be impressive.
The magic of Dot's story is in the details. It's the tale of a childhood spent in poverty, an indomitable, unbreakable spirit, a determination to be the very best to play whatever sport she undertook, the independence to live her personal life on her own terms, and her tremendous success at all of it.
Over more than a decade of countless conversations and interviews, Dot shared all of it with her dear friend, author Lynn Ames. Dot held nothing back. Out at the Plate , told through the lens of Dot and Lynn's friendship, is the story of a forgotten era in women's history and sports, and one extraordinary woman's place at the center of it all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Queer, Audiobook, LGBT, History

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

Lynn Ames is the best-selling author of sixteen books. She also is the writer/director/producer of the history-making documentary, “Extra Innings.” This historically important documentary chronicles, for the first time ever in her own words, the real-life story of Hall-of-Famer Dot Wilkinson and the heyday of women’s softball.

Lynn’s fiction has garnered her a multitude of awards and honors, including six Goldie awards, the coveted Ann Bannon Popular Fiction Award (for All That Lies Within), the Alice B. Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Arizona Book Award for Best Gay/Lesbian book. Lynn is a two-time Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) finalist, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist, a Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention winner, and winner of several Rainbow Reader Awards.

Ms. Ames is the founder of Phoenix Rising Press. She is also a former press secretary to the New York state senate minority leader and spokesperson for the nation’s third-largest prison system. For more than half a decade, she was an award-winning broadcast journalist. She has been editor of a critically acclaimed national magazine and a nationally recognized speaker and public relations professional with a particular expertise in image, crisis communications planning, and crisis management.

For additional information please visit her website at www.lynnames.com, or e-mail her at lynnamesauthor@gmail.com. You can also friend Lynn on Facebook and follow her on, YouTube, and Instagram.

Reviews

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge sports fan so a book about the legendary Dot Wilkinson was a must read. For those who don’t know, Dot was a premier softball player and bowler from 1930’s-1960’s, Hall of Famer in both sports. The author begins the book by describing how her initial interview of Dot grew into a close friendship between them. Then the rest of the book details Dot’s story from her childhood on a farm to her last triumphs.

What I like best about Out at the Plate is how much information I learned about Dot which made me admire her even more. She was a star athlete as a child, literally playing against adults, even then knocking the ball out of the park. Someone who could decide today she wanted to dive or play tennis, then by tomorrow, she would have mastered the sport. Dot also strived to be financially independent, starting as a Rosie the Riveter during the war years and then being one of the lone women in real estate, eventually doing her own contract work to flip houses. Amazing for anyone but for a woman in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s, unheard of. Besides giving us a wealth of information, the author does a fantastic job of letting Dot’s dynamic spirit and (literal) fight shine through the pages. My favorite sports passages in the book are when Lynn Ames breaks down key games and moments. I can feel the electricity and visualize the plays with Dot at the center of the excitement. I wasn’t crazy about all the box score stats as that became tedious to read. Also, I don’t think the addition of other writer’s full articles, here and there, is necessary. Dot’s words, her friends’ comments, and the author’s take are more than enough to give the full picture.

Above all, Dot comes alive for me on the pages. Not just a larger than life persona but someone who is insanely talented and charismatic but still flawed. An absolute fireball of a woman way before her time in so many ways. I wish I could have seen her play. One last thing that is brought up, which makes me wonder, is how softball games were consistently packed back in those early days, 10,000 or so rabid fans at every game in stadiums built exclusively for softball. TV seems to be the culprit as people stopped going to softball games and started attending the sports they saw broadcasted on early television, men’s sports. I’m glad that women’s sports today continue to make headway in signing to big media deals. So important.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lady Olenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel such gratitude that the author wrote about Dot Wilkinson’s life and also wistful because it would have been such an honour to have met the legend. The author wrote the sporty part like a sports writer and obviously all the technical terms went over my head, I got the gist though. The take away message I absorbed from the book was that Dot Wilkinson was a one of a kind human, a savant in sports and she lived her life in her own terms, societal norms be damned. I really wish I could have met her. She’s a great role model for women all around.

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A softball giant: Remembering the early heydays of female athletes
This biography is based on the serendipitous friendship between journalist and author Lynn Ames and Dot Wilkinson, a double hall-of-fame athlete (softball / bowling). Lynn Ames puts a bright spot-light on the blooming of female athletes in softball from roughly 1930 until the early 60s where Dot Wilkinson ruled larger than life home plate and became the greatest catcher ever to play women‘s softball.
It is a near forgotten era where women encouraged by taking men‘s jobs during WW II ventured ahead and started the idea that women really could do anything. The softball games of the Phoenix Ramblers drew large crowds of thousands of spectators back in the day and those female athletes were among those who planted the seed for modern women‘s liberation.
The book starts with the story how Lynn Ames and Dot Wilkinson met. It introduces some of the key players and the setting where Dot is part of softball „royalty“. The only con: I felt at one point that the insertion of the biographer and her awe of meeting Dot and her famous friends was a bit overdone.
The biographical part is vivid. The narration is interspersed with direct quotes by Dot herself, snippets from newspaper reports and a blow-by-blow report of key games. It helped to immerse myself into those times and get a feel of what those times were like. The con: At times the quotes relate the same fact over and over again - a judicious culling would have helped, in the ARC it was mostly not clear when snippets from newspaper started and ended (quotations marks or italics would have been helpful). The enummeration of players in each season who didn‘t play a key role in the biography grew at times tedious and made have been related to an annex.The end was heart-wrenching: when you live over a century like Dot loss is guaranteed but there might be hope for a team literally made up in heaven.
I loved to learn about those early heydays for women athletes and get to know them and their lifes. There were quite a few poignant moments: teams who actively sought out good looking, feminine players clinging to stereotypese. Every so often misogyny would raise its ugly head. There is the way lesbian players had to hide: „We were born at a time when we were all in the closet, and that was just the name of the game. You had to live with it, and that‘s what we did.“ I was touched to learn that Dotty had lived together with her lifepartner for 48 years and acknowledged it for the first time in Ricki‘s obituary (much like astronaut Sally Ride!). The heartbreak of losing your first partner to early breast cancer which then was difficult to treat and your mother not getting why you are in deep mourning. There is the bitter racism and color barrier which Billie Harris had to endure and how the team stood by her. Poignant as well: getting older with all that this brings - but also the joy of throwing the first pitch for the Arizona Diamondbacks when Dot Wilkinson was 94 yrs old (2016)!
So if you are interested in Herstory in general or in female athletes or in softball this is a great read. It made me sit in awe for those giants who paved our way.

Thanks for the ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

[Women Using Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story by Lynn Ames is a captivating biography that chronicles the remarkable journey of Dot Wilkinson, a trailblazing athlete who shattered gender barriers and paved the way for future athletes in women’s sports. Through meticulous research and passionate storytelling, Ames takes readers on a thrilling ride, delving into Dot’s early childhood in Phoenix, her professional ball-playing days with the PBSW Ramblers, and her inspiring twilight years. Drawing from the unique bond she shared with Dot, Ames puts a warm spotlight on Dot’s resilience, compassion, and commitment—not just for athletics but for all the treasured things in her life.

Although Ames is most known for her sapphic fiction, Out at the Plate clearly demonstrates that she’s a natural at capturing the beauty and essence of one’s life. This book not only pays homage to Dot Wilkinson’s incredible legacy but also sheds light on the struggles she faced during a time when women’s talents were often disregarded. The narrative is deeply rooted in softball history and offers readers a glimpse into the challenges female athletes faced during the mid-20th century. From the societal norms of the time to the camaraderie of teammates and coaches, Ames paints a vivid picture of Dot’s life.

Ames’ writing style is captivating, drawing readers in from the very first page. Her prose is eloquent and evocative, showcasing Dot’s experiences on the baseball diamond as well as off it. The structure is well-paced and smooth, transitioning seamlessly between Dot’s early years, her time with the Ramblers, and her life after softball. Ames skillfully weaves together historical facts and personal anecdotes with clarity and depth, creating a narrative that is both informative and emotionally compelling.

Final remarks…

Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story is a commendable tribute to a true pioneer, one that helped transform the game of softball forever. Ames gracefully captures the essence of Dot’s journey, and it truly resonates with readers. This book not only celebrates Dot’s achievements but also serves as a reminder to give thanks to those that came before us; without trailblazers like Dot, we would still be trying to navigate a rough course. This inspiring true tale of perseverance and triumph is a must-read for anyone interested in women’s sports.

Strengths…

Inspiring
Captivating
Engaging
Resonating
A 4.5 star book

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I am so glad I got the audio book and listened to the story. I could hear the authors voice while listening. So good, I really enjoyed how the narrator got me to feel Dots emotions during her fiesty times, which were a few. I'm blown away by how humble Dot was about the awards and accolades. Such an inspiring story of just doing what you love.

[Danni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this eArc to review.

Sadly this book was not for me which is such a shame because I really wanted to enjoy this book and learn about Dot Wilkinson. What put me off was the author's writing as it felt more focused on her than on Dot and I understand that Dot and Lynn were friends but I don't want to read chapters upon chapters about Lynn rather than the story of how Dot started sports and her career. I dnf'd this by the 20% mark.

Surely, Dot would have a book that was more than 270 pages with a focus purely on her rather than how Lynn and her met and their friendship. To me that would have been great for an introduction or chapter one but not the full book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I only picked this up because one of the popsugar reading challenges this year was to read a book about a woman athlete. When it came up as recommended when I was scrolling through spotifys selection of audiobooks, it sounded interesting so I chose it! I enjoyed listening about her journey in sports in a time where women didn't have a lot of the same advantages as men. She is an inspiration and she sounded like a tough lady! The only parts I didn't enjoy as much were the play by play recaps of some of her softball games. They were slightly tedious to get through and I found myself upping the reading speed on the audiobook to get to the more personal parts.

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 4.25* of five

The Publisher Says: “Dot Wilkinson is the greatest female catcher ever to play softball . A bold, pioneering athlete, she refused to let others define her and instead defined herself. Her story is an inspiration to people everywhere.” — Billie Jean King, Sports Icon and Champion for Equality

It’s not simply that Dot Wilkinson was one of the most decorated women’s softball players, bowlers, and athletes of all time and one of the original players from the three-time-world-champion PBSW Phoenix Ramblers softball team (1933–1965). Nor was it the length of her time here on Earth—over a century—although any of these things by itself would be impressive.

The magic of Dot’s story is in the details. It’s the tale of a childhood spent in poverty, an indomitable, unbreakable spirit, a determination to be the very best to play whatever sport she undertook, the independence to live her personal life on her own terms, and her tremendous success at all of it.

Over more than a decade of countless conversations and interviews, Dot shared all of it with her dear friend, author Lynn Ames. Dot held nothing back. Out at the Plate , told through the lens of Dot and Lynn’s friendship, is the story of a forgotten era in women’s history and sports, and one extraordinary woman’s place at the center of it all.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I had a lesbian "grandma" of sorts, older than Dot Wilkinson, but with the same kind of unwillingness to submit to woman=weakness stereotyping. She saw what she wanted and went out of all ladylike bounds to get it. This included the love of her life, a widow with a son, and the family they made.

Dot Wilkinson is my kinda woman. (Or man, if I'm honest.) Reading about her life, its ups-downs-failures and unimaginably exciting successes, made me smile uncontrollably. QUILTBAG folk are fed a steady diet of disaster and crime with us as the victims, expecting that this will keep us quiet and invisible. This is the classic Linebarger tactic, used for generations now on "minorities" of all sorts. It is now modulated by stories of assimilation, of increased access to "The American Dream" of mortgaged house, kids who need college funds, etc etc. The Dot Wilkinsons who decide to do what the hell they want to do when they want to do it do not, oddly enough, get a lot of overcultural attention.

I can't think why this should be.

Dot Wilkinson deserves every bit of attention you have at your command because she actually was what we're told we love the most, should strive to be, here in the USA. She was strong by every metric, she was a maverick. She was routinely successful in her careers (plural). She lived with the love of her life for almost a half-century. Her example of grace and graciousness under pressure is one to emulate. She never turned it into any kind of doormat behavior. She was likable and well-liked at a time when her rejection of "normative womanhood" could easily have made her a pariah. Lynn Ames manages to convey all this without becoming cloying, though her fangirling over Dot is not at all veiled...or misplaced.

The one thing that leads to, on the "missing three-quarters-star" front, is the tendency to overexplain and repeat. By using many primary sources, Author Ames falls into the "it's really cool how much stuff there is" ditch and doesn't climb out. The sources very often concur, and maybe picking one quote then saying "this is one of the half-dozen angles on this story" could've been less wearing on the reader's nerve. My interest in softball, Dot's biggest claim to Fame and spotlights, is significantly less than hers....

Family issues weren't minimized. It was heartbreaking to learn of Dot's first love's early passing from the then-untreatable scourge of metastatic breast cancer. It was more heartbreaking still to read of Dot's mother's callous...let me be fair, surprisingly insensitive...response to Dot's deep grief at her loss. The fact is a sapphic love wouldn't register with most people as "real" in that day and time, so grief of that depth and duration would seem odd. Still, it's your child! Wouldn't that attune you to the reality of the feeling and thus summon up empathy not dismissiveness?

Apparently not. And honestly that bit upset me as much as the loss did. I was, as you can tell from that, fully invested in Dot Wilkinson's life, and was very, very happy I had this chance to learn about this older sister in queerness. I hope you will give it a chance to grab you, too.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn Ames’ Out At The Plate, The Dot Wilkinson Story is an amazing biography that details the life of one of the best female athletes in American history. Lynn Ames tells the story of Dot from her childhood up through her death with information directly from Wilkinson. This is an interesting read as the author became very good friends with the subject. There are great stories sprinkled throughout the book that help the reader realize the impact of these events on shaping who Dot was, became and what she is remembered for. Most importantly this book tells the story of a woman who did it her way at a time when it wasn’t easy.

Since this is a biography, the main character is Dot Wilkinson with a rotating cast of individuals who came in and out of Dot’s life. Dot Wilkinson was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She was a hall of fame athlete in both ten pin bowling and softball. Dot’s softball career started at the age of 11 and she played from 1933 to 1965 for the Phoenix Ramblers. She won three world championships and is considered one of the greatest softball catchers of all time. This book is filled with interesting people who helped mold Dot. The most well represented individual was Estelle “Rikki” Caito, who was Dot’s companion(lover) for over 48 years and also a National Softball Hall of Famer. Together they played softball, lived together, worked together and grew old with one another. From the time they first met, Rikki always looked out for Dot. The book speaks very highly of their relationship and how they helped one another. The other individual who stuck out was Ford Hoffmann, her school’s sixth grade history teacher who pushed her into softball after seeing her throw a baseball. He was a man ahead of his time who took a major interest in women’s sports. These are two of the many people who shaped Dot’s life and made her realize that living for her was the most important thing.

In my opinion, Lynn Ames, has written a terrific book on a very interesting subject. There are many times where a biography is written from the author’s viewpoint using material other than the subject. In this book it is almost written as an autobiography because the author essentially becomes the mouthpiece of Dot and writes her story as she is told it. This kept me extremely interested in finding out what happens next and allowing multiple stories to be interwoven. The opportunity to hear about Dot’s life from her and all the small memories she brought forward was so interesting. My favorite take away was hearing some of the breakdowns of softball plays she recalled in the bigger games, it was so interesting to realize that many strategies in the game of softball are still the same today. If you like softball like I do, getting to hear about all the games is great.

Overall, Out At The Plate, The Dot Wilkinson Story, was a great book. It kept me interested from the very first to last page. This is a story that should be told to more people so they can see what a women can accomplish when things are seemingly stacked against her. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes softball, coming of age stories or general history of women’s sports. This book is definitely one that would be enjoyed by an open minded and mature reader due to the non-traditional love theme. However, this is integral to the story of Dot Wilkinson and if you love softball and women’s sports this is a must read.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. I had never heard of Dot Wilkinson before, but found this book on our new book display at the library. The title caught my eye, but then when I read that the subject of the bio excelled in both softball and bowling, I had to check it out. And I'm glad I did.

Dot Wilkinson started playing softball at the age of eleven. Raised in the Phoenix, AZ area, she played on a girls'/women's softball team. And we're talking fastpitch softball, not the wimpy stuff that middle-aged men play. We're talking heat. Dot started out playing outfield, but moved to be the catcher when something happened to the team's full-time catcher. She never left that position. At one point, she was called "The greatest catcher ever to play women's softball."

But it wasn't just softball. She was also the first person of any gender to be elected to the Hall of Fame in two different sports. Dot excelled at every sport she tried. Her and some of her teammates started bowling during the offseason, and she was great at that, as well. At one point, she finally entered the WIBC (Women's International Bowling Congress) Queen's tournament. She got all the way to the final match and upset Marion Ladewig, one of the best female bowlers of all time. My wife works for the United States Bowling Congress, and they have a conference room named after Marion Ladewig. Dot also excelled at swimming and tennis.

But this is more than just a biography. Lynn Ames became very close friends with Dot Wilkinson, during the course of writing this book. And this book is about a life lived, not just sports. One of the things I really like about this book is how much of it is presented in Dot's own voice. I would venture to say that more than 80% of the book is quotes from Dot, herself. There are also a number of citings from local newspaper articles, as well, and quotes from other people who knew Dot along the way.

At one point, Dot and her partners were even flipping houses, way back before that was even a thing. She was an incredible, amazing person.

I'm glad I read this book. Lynn Ames did an incredible job of presenting the life of this remarkable person. I would recommend this to anyone who likes biographies, whether they are into sports or not. It helps, though to be a fan of baseball and similar sports, such as softball. I have an understanding of the game that enhanced my enjoyment of it.

[Ashley Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a been a baseball fan my entire life and I feel utterly ashamed for not knowing that Women's Softball was as widespread in the USA as it was. Yes, I've seen A League of Their Own, so I knew it existed, but I assumed that was solely during the War years as a form of entertainment while the men were away. I had no idea about Dot or the fact that she was such a prolific athlete in softball, bowling, diving, tennis and golf. A Hall of Fame recipient in softball and bowling at that. This woman and her fellow teammates were absolutely AMAZING!

I loved this story from beginning to end. Lynn Ames does a marvelous job telling Dot's story and I absolutely LOVED how close they became throughout the interview process and beyond. It's incredibly sweet to hear that Dot stood up for Lynn at her wedding.

Dot's story is remarkable. She blazed her own trail right from the start, beginning with the Phoenix Ramblers at the age of 11! That fact alone is mindboggling. Starting as a second baseman, she truly found her footing as a catcher and would later have dual roles as both the catcher and manager of the team later in life until the team folded in 1965. She truly held her own considering the era she grew up in and having to navigate a heavily patriarchal society as not only a woman, but a gay one at that. Throughout it all, Dot stayed true to herself, her beliefs and fought for what she wanted. She worked on her family farm, a factory, as a softball player and bowler, and a real estate agent! That's would sound chaotic and stressful to most people, but for Dot, it really sounded like she was always one to roll with and in fact embrace any challenge to come her way.

I now have an immense respect for Dot, her incredible attitude and her phenomenal accomplishments. She lived an amazing life right up until she passed away at 101. I'm going to be recommending this book to every baseball fan I know. Wow!

[Johanna Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former softball player this was a really neat read for me. Dot Wilkinson is a hall of fame softball catcher AND bowler! And NO A League of their Own, Dottie Henson, was not her.

Dot paved her own path in the 30s/40s when women were expected to be married and having babies once they hit their 20s. Her and the women she played with created their own family and hearing how they lived and manufactured their own fun was interesting since it was such a contrast from stories I’ve heard from others from that time.

Being homosexual in Arizona was dangerous for her since it was illegal, however Dot refused to leave the place she called home. She found love twice and heartbreakingly she lost both to cancer.

I love the play by play of her time as a softball player winning the world championships, how she played well into her 30s until it wasn’t fun for her anymore. Her manager, Ford, at the time helped her to find a career in real estate so she was able to support herself once she was fine playing ball.

The real take away for me were the friendships and sisterhood that was forged through being an athlete and how they weren’t just a team but a family that supported each other.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Chicago Review Press for the digital galley of this book.

“Dot Wilkinson is the greatest female catcher ever to play softball. A bold, pioneering athlete, she refused to let others define her and instead defined herself. Her story is an inspiration to people everywhere.” —Billie Jean King, Sports Icon and Champion for Equality

Author Lynn Ames had a friendship with Dot for over a decade, and in that time, Dot told her stories of her life (over a hundred years). From growing up in poverty to softball, bowling, and her queer relationships, Dot is a fascinating person. Ames’ shares her story as only a close friend (and accomplished author can).

I really enjoyed this book. During her later life, many people asked Dot if she was the inspiration for Dottie in A League of Their Own, but Dot’s life was softball, not baseball. Her commitment to it and her other passions are just one of the things that make her story so compelling. Definitely recommend a read to add to your queer history knowledge.

[Jennifer Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the second chapter last night, I said to myself, “This is going to be fascinating. I’m going to finish this book tonight.” It was, and I did.
Two things you should know: I love reading about extraordinary women, and I love sports. “Out at the Plate: The Dot Wilkinson Story” by Lynn Ames fit the bill for both of those. Dot lived to be 101 years old and played softball for the Ramblers for 33 years. I still don’t know how Lynn was able to capture both her life and her career in just 225 pages, but she did it and she did it wonderfully. I laughed, I cried, I shook my head in wonder, and I occasionally had to pick my jaw up off the floor.
I’m so grateful that I ran across this book and entered the Goodreads giveaway. I’m so grateful that when I entered, I mistakenly thought it would be about the inspiration for Dottie in “A League of Her Own”; I’m so grateful that the book made me laugh when correcting my mistake.
If you like reading about extraordinary women doing extraordinary things, this is the book for you.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Dot, who passed in March 2023, was an amazing woman who lived an amazing life, and this is her biography, written by her friend, Lynn Ames. And that friendship comes through in the book, as personal stories and hints of Dot’s personality peek through, sly comments in between records of scores and plays. While the book does cover Dot’s life — from her early years in a small house with no indoor plumbing, to her later years where she and Ricki, her love and her partner in all the ways that counted, bought, fixed, and managed numerous properties in Phoenix — the story is framed through the lens of her love of sport. It’s also, in many ways, the biography of the Phoenix Ramblers.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stellar biography of legendary softball catcher Dot Wilkinson, who in addition to being considered one of the best softball players in history, is also credited as one the best female bowlers in history.

The story begins in her old age, as she is facing the loss of her partner from cancer, and flashes back to her life of games and loves. It’s amazing how nonchalant she is about her sexual orientation, dating back to a far less accepting time as far as lesbians are concerned.

One mind-blowing thing about this book is that I never realized how wide-spread softball was. I always just thought that A League of Their Own was the end-all be-all of women’s softball, and that just wasn’t the case. Dot talks about that particular league and how she wasn’t interested in their insistence on performed femininity, and neither were a lot of other butch lesbians.

I don’t even like softball, and I thought this was an interesting book.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out at the Plate is written by Lynn Ames. I love reading biographies and memoirs. It always fascinates me to how people overcame obstacles and challenges. This is the story of Dot Wilkinson. Dot was a legend at softball. She is a true inspiration. She was born to a family that did not have much. She found love for sports and found herself on local softball teams by the time she hit her teens. The Phoenix Ramblers drew huge crowds. Wilkinson was a gifted catcher. Her mentor also taught her how to hit left-handed. I really enjoyed the direct quotes from Dot and the play by play of some real important games. I enjoyed the author's writing style. I felt like I was overhearing a conversation between friends.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley - for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dot Wilkinson was a phenom on the softball field-she was one of the original "League of their own" women who played during the 40's/50's and wowed the spectators with her no nonsense catching abilities. While playing for the Ramblers team in Phoenix, she regularly sparred with the the other Phoenix team-the A-1 Queens. The thing that all the softball women knew was there were a lot of lesbian players in the leagues and Dot was one of them. In fact her partner began as an arch enemy and chief rival. But that was beside the point-what mattered was who she could tag out at home plate.
If you are entranced by women's sports or outsized personalities, you can't go wrong with Lynn Ames nostalgic view of an era in women's sports before Title Nine- it is certainly time to write Dot Wilkinson and all of the women's softball players back into sports history.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography of two sport legend, Dot Wilkinson. Dot's prowess on the softball field and later, the bowling lanes, is legendary. A hall of famer in both sports and a larger than life personality, her life beautifully captured by her good friend, Lynn Ames. If you enjoy reading about legendary women, this should definitely be a book you have in your collection. Mine will be sitting on my coffee table and I know will be a great conversation starter.
It's too easy to focus on everyday life and forget the contributions of those strong women who broke down barriers and changed the world for the women who came after them. This is a first rate biography and I highly recommend.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley for a honest review.

[Emily Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing for me. The first chapters drew me in with the narrative of Dot and her partner of 50 years and Dot finally being able to publicly acknowledge being gay in her 80s. From there, though, the book is chapter after chapter of descriptions of softball game after softball game, written like the play-by-play of a radio broadcast. There was an occasional sprinkle of a story of a relationship forming or ending, or Dot’s career in real estate, and I found myself trying to skim as quickly as possible through who got a hit in which inning, how many pitches were thrown, and who got the final out, over and over and over for pages and pages each time to find the bits of Dot’s actual life story.

[KarenC · Rating 4 out of 5]

The timing of the release of Out at the Plate couldn't be better, with the revival of the A League of Their Own series last summer, plus all of the renewed focus on women's sports in general, the WNBA's historic season, the USWNT and the WWC in general, and Coco Gauff winning the US Open.

Not purely a biography, the author Lynn Ames injects so many personal stories of her relationship with Dot Wilkinson that give background on what it was like to be a female athlete "back in the day", in addition to what life was like in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

Out at the Plate is a very timely book for any reader who enjoys women's history.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have 4 daughters and they all played sports at one time or another. Two daughters played travel softball and one daughter competitively bowled. This nonfiction book about Dot Wilkinson who is in the hall of fame for both those sports has been an interesting read for me.

It’s people like Dot that helped bring women’s sports into the popularity that it is finally finding itself in today so for that I appreciate reading about Dot’s trials and triumphs.

Dot also lived to be to be over 100 years old so her life story even without all the amazing sports accomplishments is worth a read.

This book has plenty of photos chronicling Dot’s life which I love in a biography or any nonfiction read.

[Práxedes Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Dot Wilkinson and her numerous accomplishments in softball and bowling is legendary. Unfortunately, her life was not particularly interesting...it was a full life with its shares of peaks and valleys, but not that different from anyone else's.

But the story behind the evolution of women's softball in the US was super entertaining. I had no idea how complex and popular these leagues had been during the mid-twentieth century.

So as a history of women's softball in the United States, this was a fun read. As a biography, not so much.

[Steph]

I enjoyed learning more about the women’s softball league and Dot Wilkinson, a double Hall of Fame athlete in softball and bowling. I thought the biography aspects were really well done, and was more interested in that information rather than the authors friendship and present day time spent with Dot and her friends. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about women’s sports, this is definitely one I’d recommend.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, true story of a life well lived! Fans of the film A League of Their Own will love this book. While Dot Wilkinson is not inspiration for the character Dottie (as I assumed!), it is still a true-account of the behind-the-scenes experiences during the woman's softball movement from one of the very best players in the game.

It's not just about softball though. Softball is the commonality through love, friendships, diversity, and more.

A lovely read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dot, an All Time Great!

How can one rate a biography of one of the pioneers of women’s sports? As you might expect, this is a moving story filled with athleticism, tenacity, courage, humility, and love. Dot Wilkinson lived an authentic life, which we can all take lessons from. Thank you, Lynn Ames, for sharing this beautiful story!

[bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautifully written. It was so hard to put down, i loved learning about Dot and her life. Her story is so captivating, the way this is written made me feel like I was the one having a conversation with Dot.

I have so much gratitude for having stories like Dots. A big thank you to the author for writing this and showcasing representation for queer athletes.

[Lucky Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written biography of one of the most decorated female athletes our country has ever had. Dot Wilkinson is a national treasure, yet Lynn Ames’ highly personal account of Ms. Wilkinson’s allowed us to see the woman behind the mask. It’s a tale of resilience and living your truth. I highly recommend.

[Jill Kind · Rating 5 out of 5]

you’ve got to be a fan!

I enjoyed learning about Dot’s life and how much she changed sports for women of her time and now. Lynn Ames writes about a true friend and legend with admiration and love.

[Bee Colvais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little known queer history and life well lived on a path of her own choosing! Dot’s story reads like an intimate conversation by the fire between her and her close friend, the author. A definite would read again!