By Dan Ninham
Annabell Kingbird is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and lives in Bemidji, MN with her husband Gordon and family.
“I started playing softball when I was about 20 years old,” said Annabell Kingbird. “I didn’t really play or do sports in school. I continue to play ball because I enjoy playing, traveling and meeting people.”
“My teammates are nice and good ball players, and they have fun. I often said that I would play until teams stopped asking me to play. They are still asking me to play,” she added.
“This may be my last year playing, as everyone has been asking me lately when I will retire,” said Kingbird.
“I currently play in two leagues for two different teams, Bemidji and Park Rapids, two nights and both double headers,” she added.
Kingbird started playing in the Bemidji League. “First year and maybe second year, I played for Benny Tonce, who was our coach, we were called the ‘Athletics.’”
“After that, I played for Pete Greenleaf, we were called Greenleaf Masonry,” said Kingbird.
“I was asked by a team member to play for Red Lake, Bruce Graves and Gary Sumner were the coaches,” said Kingbird. “When I started playing for them, I told my husband, ‘How am I going to remember everyone’s name?’ I didn’t know anyone on the team.”
“The team was a really good team. Bruce and Gary took us to many tournaments, (both) in state and out of state. We played almost every weekend and traveled everywhere. We won a lot, district tournaments, state tournaments, National Indian tournaments, it was very fun,” Kingbird said.
“This was the first time that I traveled out of state and probably traveled anywhere,” She said. “The first time that I also traveled to Bismarck. I’ve only missed one year traveling there. We did win first place maybe a couple of years. I think this has been my favorite place to go, because my family now travels with me there.”
Kingbird played for the MN Stars, the Rez, and also some coed teams. She played for some White Earth teams, won a state championship and traveled to National’s with the team name “Pine Point.”
“Another team I played for was McDonald’s, with Jerry Northbird as the coach,” said Kingbird. “We had several names as he had various sponsors. He also took us to many tournaments, both in state, out of state.”
“One year we went undefeated in the Bemidji league, and we placed second in Minnesota State and traveled to National Tournaments. When I played for his team, it seems like we were forever placing second in Bismarck, never first. I don’t remember if we won first, we may have,” she said.
Other teams she played with were the Red Lake Co-ed “49ers”, and a Minneapolis Co-ed Team, as well as the Bemidji “Con’s Masonry”. “My husband and I played in co-ed tournaments in Minnesota and Sisseton, SD we won first place jackets,” said Kingbird.
Kingbird was the pitcher in the women’s league. Once, when her team members found out she pitched, she became the ‘forever pitcher.’ As a co-ed softball player, she played the outfield, second base and catcher positions.
Kingbird and her husband played power volleyball for many years. She said, “My husband and I played in the Bemidji Power Volleyball league for many years. I was the setter. We travelled to some tournaments and won a few. I enjoyed playing that also, but I enjoy playing softball more.”
Kingbird considered her top accomplishments were playing in several state tournaments and traveling to national tournaments. She played for several years in the Native American World Series. She earned several all star and all tourney team awards.
“I was truly honored and very thankful to have been selected to the Individual Hall of Fame in Bismarck, ND,” said Kingbird. “I was also part of the team, MN Aces, who were also selected to the Hall of Fame.”
“I am thankful and honored to receive the award for ‘Legends’ in Sisseton, SD from JC Crawford,” she said
A memorable coach of Kingbird was (the late) Bruce Graves of Red Lake.” She said, “He was the first coach that believed I was a good pitcher and player. He took our team to many tournaments, both in state and out of state. He had our team practice before every tournament. He provided us with transportation and lodging. He provided almost everything for us to play ball.”
“Another coach was (the late) Jerry Northbird of Cass Lake. He always kept the book and let us know what we needed to do to improve our game. He took us to many tournaments. He got us sponsors for travel to and from the tournaments,” added Kingbird.
“My contribution to the team is I encourage them,” said Kingbird. “I let them know that I think they are good players, and I enjoy playing on their team. I think that they see that I am playing ball and maybe they can also play as long as I have.”
