May
27, 2010SOUTH BEND - Louise "Lou" Arnold, 87, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2010. A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Lou established permanent residence in South Bend in 1952. She first came to South Bend in 1948 to become a member of the South Bend Blue Sox of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Lou spent four years with the team as a pitcher during which time she became so fond of South Bend and her many friends established in the area that she chose to remain here. In 1951 Lou contributed significantly to the success of the Blue Sox in winning the AAGPBL League Championship. During that year she led the league with a winning percentage of .833, tossed 32 consecutive scoreless innings, pitched a one-hitter and had 9 complete games out of 11 starts. She had a thirty year career with Bendix Corporation where she worked on the brake line. After retirement in 1982 she focused much of her time and energy visiting friends and family and traveling to reunions of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League where she treasured the moments spent with former players of the league. She spent countless hours responding to request for autographs and corresponding with young athletes interested in hearing of her days in the AAGPBL. Lou was inducted into the South Bend Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Lou was a devoted fan of Notre Dame Women's Basketball. Her season ticket location, just behind the Irish bench, gave her plenty of opportunities to offer Muffet McGraw coaching tips and lend words of encouragement to the team. As the youngest of thirteen children, Lou selected #13 for her AAGPBL uniform. She is preceded in death by her parents, George & Mary Ann (McCormick) Arnold, seven brothers and five sisters. She is survived by nieces, Rita Lampinski of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Ann Barrie of Esmond, Rhode Island, her close friend and caretaker, Beverly Cloud, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2nd at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Friends are invited for a time of fellowship beginning at 10:00 a.m. A private funeral with burial will be held in Pawtucket, Rhode Island at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association. AAGPBL PA, Inc., c/o Shirley Burkovich, Treasurer, 67-430 Ovante Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234-8402.