Arleene Johnson

Who is Arleene Johnson?

Arleene Johnson [Noga] is a Canadian former infielder who played from 1945 through 1948 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 feet 4 inches, 137 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.

Born in Ogema, Saskatchewan, Johnson was one of the 57 players born in Canada to join the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in its twelve-year history. She grew up on a farm and graduated at Ogema High School before moving to Regina, capital city of Saskatchewan, in search of stable employment. She joined the work force in 1944, while playing in the Ladies Intercity Softball Senior A League.

Johnson entered the AAGPBL in 1945 with the Fort Wayne Daisies, playing for them one year before joining the Muskegon Lassies for two and a half years and returning to Fort Wayne. She divided her playing time between third base and shortstop, and made three trips to the playoffs.

Best known for her fielding abilities, Johnson was the top fielder at third base for three consecutive years, compiling a .928 fielding average in 1946, .942 in 1947 to set a single-season record, and .933 in 1948. Her .942 mark was still intact until 1952, when Ernestine Petras of the Battle Creek Belles recorded a .965 average.