CAROLINE SCHULTZ DECKER, Ohio & Illinois

Inducted 1982

Player: Caroline Schultz Decker won the Women’s World Championship two times. The first being in 1933, pitching an average of 73.8% ringers. This was a new record and the previous high tournament had only been 54.5%. The following year she broke her own record, pitching an amazing 81.3% ringers. It was another 30 years before another women pitcher exceeded 80%, and Caroline’s record stood for 44 years before being exceeded. Although she did not enter any more World Tournaments, she continued to pitch in other meets and claimed several Illinois State titles. She went undefeated throughout her entire career; she never lost a game in a tournament.

With her sisters Charlotte and Helen, Caroline put on many exhibitions including years of shows with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Among Caroline’s treasured memories is the 50-38 win over Frank Jackson and a 50-18 win over C.C. Davis. She also had exhibition wins over Carol Jackson, Hansford Jackson, and Putt Mossman. Caroline Schultz Decker passed away March 29, 1998, at age 85.