Bernice Gera
Baseball Pioneer

Back to Blue Spruce Park

An historical marker honoring Bernice (Shiner) Gera is located at Blue Spruce Park near the park ballfield. A native of nearby Ernest, PA, Gera made baseball history as the first female umpire in the sport. Barred by minor league baseball for five years, Gera won a landmark lawsuit allowing her to work as an umpire. Gera's one and only game as a professional umpire took place June 24, 1972 in a New York-Pennsylvania League game in Geneva, New York.

Her groundbreaking achievement thrust her into the national spotlight and ultimately opened doors not only for other women, but also for men previously denied umpiring opportunities because of arbitrary restrictions.

More information about Bernice Gera's baseball career is available by contacting the parks office. An extensive collection of information is also maintained at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York where Gera's photograph, pink whisk broom, and complete umpire uniform are on display. Her baseball trading card is shown here.