Women's baseball legend and A League of Their Own inspiration Maybelle Blair reveals what it was like to publicly come out as gay at AGE 95: 'I just blurted it out... but I have never been so happy'

An inspirational women's baseball player has revealed what it was like coming out of the closet at the age of 95.

Maybelle Blair, now 97, whose career served as inspiration for the classic movie A League of Their Own in 1992, had been on stage at New York's Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 when she made the bold decision 'out of the clear blue sky' to live in her truth. 

The panelist, who had been there to celebrate the premiere of Amazon's TV adaptation of the blockbuster, came out in front of the entire crowd - and has since reflected on the milestone moment.

She recently told The Guardian: 'It felt like all the blood rushed away from my head, down to my toes. I didn’t know what was happening.'

Inspirational women's baseball player Maybelle Blair has revealed what it was like coming out of the closet aged 95 

Maybelle, whose career served as inspiration for the classic movie A League of Their Own in 1992, had been on stage at New York's Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 when she made t he bold decision 'out of the clear blue sky' to live in her truth. Pictured: Then (left) and now (right)

Maybelle told the publication: 'I just blurted out, "I want everybody to know I was in the closet for 95 years." That old door blew open. I was sitting there, my eyes wide open, mouth open probably. I thought, "Oh my God, after 95 years, you said that?"

'And I did. I wasn't afraid any more because I was so old and it really didn't matter, except for my family, what people thought.

'Afterwards, I sat down and I had a beer and I tell you, I have never been so happy in all my life. I was a new girl at 95. So you might have me for 95 more years.' 

 In a clip from 2022, discussing the show, she told the audience: 'I think it's a great opportunity for these young girl ball players to come [to] realize that they’re not alone, and you don’t have to hide.

'I hid for 75, 85 years and this is actually basically the first time I've ever come out.'

And her revelation was met with raptures of applause from the crowd.

Maybelle, now 97, told the outlet that she has since been embraced by the LGBTQ+ community and described as an inspiration.

'That made me feel so wonderful. So many people have told me how I helped them come out, and their families understand now what is going on in their lives,' she dished.

The panelist, who had been there to celebrate the premiere of Amazon's TV adaptation of the blockbuster, came out in front of the entire crowd - and has since reflected on the milestone moment 

The former athlete said she had been flooded with only positive feedback, claiming not a single person had side anything negative 'to my face anyway.'

Blair, who was born in California, was known as All The Way Mae when she pitched for the Peoria Redwings in 1948. 

The historic athlete went on to play professional softball for the Chicago Cardinals during the 1950s. 

Following her sporting career, Maybelle worked for aerospace company Northrop Corporation - but admitted she was 'scared to death' about anyone finding out about her sexuality and getting fired as a result. 

'In those days, they had no sympathy for gay people. And I didn't know what my family would have thought. I couldn't do it. 

'I had to go out on dates with men I didn't want to go out with. But I did - and I looked halfway decent, I think, because they kept asking me out. 

'I just walked this straight and narrow path. It was hard sometimes, but I did it.'

Maybelle said that people would often ask her why she had not got married but that she used the 'excuse' that the right man had not come around.

Blair, who was born in California, was known as All The Way Mae when she pitched for the Peoria Redwings in 1948 (bottom right)

The historic athlete went on to play professional softball for the Chicago Cardinals during the 1950s. Pictured: Then (left) and now (right)

She said that finally coming out presented 'a new world' for her and candidly shared: 'I would have liked to have come out right away if people would have accepted gay people.

'The music is playing real loud now for me, and every step I take is a little more lively now that I can be who I am.' 

Despite her advanced years, Maybelle shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon as she is currently coordinating her passion project of helping create an international women's baseball center in Illinois.

'I think they should be able to have a home of their own for baseball. I've got a few things I still have to do before I get six feet under.'