William Franklin Skiff (October 16, 1895 – December 25, 1976) was an American professional baseball player, manager and scout. Although he appeared only briefly in Major League Baseball in 22 total games as a catcher and pinch hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees, he had a long career in the minor leagues: 19 seasons as a player or player-manager, and another 14 as a manager.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, the , Skiff batted and threw right-handed. During his two big-league stints, he hit .250 in 56 at bats. His 14 hits included two doubles. His minor league career extended from 1916 to 1931 and 1933âÂÂ51. As a manager he piloted the top-level Seattle Rainiers, Newark Bears and Kansas City Blues. He served the Yankees' organization for many years as a minor league skipper and scout.
On July 8, 1924, Bill Skiff, along with Pete Scott, was questioned during a coroner's inquest about a young woman who fell down a freight elevator shaft after visiting his room. At the time, both were players for the Kansas City Blues, a minor league team.[
Skiff died at age 81 in Bronxville, New York.