Born in Starbuck, Barr was an outstanding southpaw pitcher who also played the outfield. As a teenager, she played for Winnipeg Ramblers in 1938 and 1939. While with the Regina Army and Navy Bombers from 1940-42, she pitched three no-hitters and helped the team win two Saskatchewan championships. In 1943, she began an eight-year career in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league rules called for underhand pitching for the first four years and Barr had a 20-8 record in 1945 and a fourth career no-hitter in 1946.