The Stray Pitch by Marilyn Bos

Born into a family of thieves, Wendy Winkworth becomes a private investigator because “you don’t go to jail if you’re caught.” In 1950, 24-year old Wendy is hired by the mobster/owner of the Star Spangled Girls Baseball League to infiltrate the Burton City Hornettes and find the murderer of its star pitcher, a blonde bombshell of amazing physical powers and influence. First problem: Wendy’s not much of a ballplayer. Second: She finds that lust, jealousy, greed, and deception are as much a part of the roster as she is. Then another body turns up. Somewhere out there a cold-blooded killer is taking practice swings with a Louisville slugger destined for Wendy’s skull.