A Publication of SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee “We are the Ship, All Else the Sea” Editor, Larry Lester March, 2011 In the News State Approves New Historical Highway Marker for Below is an excerpt of an October 7, 2010, press release from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

“RICHMOND – As one of black ’s earliest power hitters, John Preston “Pete” Hill was welcomed home often by ecstatic fans of the many legendary African American teams for whom he played during the first quarter of the 20th century. Yet Hill never made it back home to the place of his birth Jan 13, 2011 - Reported by MLB.com, the Braves will in Culpeper County, Virginia. host the Civil Rights Game on May 15. It is a Sunday afternoon game against the Phillies, but that is not all The Virginia Department of during the week in Atlanta. Historic Resources has approved a new historical highway marker The four-day event will begin with the Selig Business honoring his career, as Hill is Conference at the Georgia Aquarium on May 12. During coming home. the conference, there will be a job fair and panel discussions. The conference will continue the next day Home, in this case, is Buena, a with a women's leadership forum, where wives of small, historically African- baseball icons share their experiences and highlight American community that arose women's roles in baseball. along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad in Culpeper County after Friday night, will be the Civil War. That railroad carried Hill’s mother, likely celebrated in a ceremony and a former slave, and her children north to eventually settle screening of a documentary in in the late 19th century, making Hill, born "Hank Aaron: Chasing the on October 12, probably in 1882, part of the Great Dream," at the Fox Theatre. The Migration of African Americans who departed the South next day, the Baseball and the Civil Rights Movement during the era of segregation. Roundtable Discussion will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church. It will stream live at MLB.com. “The Hill highway marker serves as a reminder that just as the history of our national game is incomplete without Saturday will feature clinics, interactive stations and the story of black baseball, so too is American and panels for children, held at Centennial Olympic Park. Virginia history incomplete if we fail to recognize the The day will feature former players, performers and struggles, triumphs, and contributions of all the people local celebrities for the kids to meet, and it will conclude who have had a role in shaping it," said Kathleen S. with a parade to Turner Field. That night, the MLB Kilpatrick, director of the Department of Historic Beacon Awards will be handed to three people at the Resources.” Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom.

A date for dedication of the marker has not been The Braves and Phillies will wear throwback Negro finalized. For more information contact Randy Jones at League jerseys for the game Sunday. For full coverage, [email protected]. The new trading card of go to Civil Rights Game 2011 at MLB.com. John "Pete" Hill is by Cieradkowski Design.

The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 1 of 8 Your Daily All-Star Team: Conferences in 2011

th Monday’s Child is fair of face. March 5, 2011 – The 8 annual Southern Baseball Association Conference will be held at Rickwood Tuesday’s child is full Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This conference is of grace. dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Southern Wednesday’s child is Association of Baseball, and will this year focus on “Fan full of woe. Favorite Players of the Southern Association.” The Thursday’s child has symposium will include authors and historians discussing far to go. their research and presentations. Registration is only $30. Friday’s child is loving Contact David Brewer at [email protected] or and giving. 205.458.8161 for more information.

Saturday’s child works th hard for a living. March 9-12, 2011 – The 18 annual NINE Baseball Conference will be held at the Fiesta Resort But the child who is Conference Center in Tempe, Arizona. born on the Sabbath Day is bonny and blithe and good and gay. This year's conference will feature Keynote Speaker Charles Alexander. A winner of SABR's 2011 Henry Top 12 Negro Leaguers born on Monday: Chadwick Award, Charles Alexander is the author of Ty c, Larry Brown Cobb (Oxford UP, 1984), John McGraw (Viking, 1988), c, “Double Duty” Radcliffe Our Game: An American Baseball History (Henry Holt, p, Chet Brewer 1991), : A Biography (Henry Holt, 1995), p, - HOFer Breaking the Slump: Baseball in the Depression Era p, “Cannonball” Dick Redding (Columbia UP, 2002), and Spoke: A Biography of (Southern Methodist UP, 2007). Breaking the 1b, Buck O’Neil Slump was awarded the Seymour Medal by the Society for 2b, Charlie Grant American Baseball Research. Alexander was a consultant 3b, Rap Dixon for the Ken Burns/Florentine Films 1994 documentary ss, Grant “” Johnson Baseball, and he serves on the editorial board of Base Ball: lf, Marvin “Tex” Williams A Journal of the Early Game. cf, Chino Smith rf, Hank Aaron - HOFer Conference Registration information can be at: http://web.mac.com/jeanardell/Site/Nine_Registration.html . Can you pick a better team? The next issue of The Courier will feature Tuesday’s squad of all-stars. July 21-24 – The 14th annual Jerry Malloy Conference JW Marriott® The Bob Davids Chapter of Hotel Washington, DC. Indianapolis 10 S West Street Indianapolis, The DC chapter, Indiana 46204 USA named after the co- Phone: 317-822-8554 founder of SABR, Ask for “Jerry Malloy Negro Leagues” when recently announced you call, or the winners of their raffle for two one- Register at this secure online link to get discounted rates: year memberships to https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_n the Negro Leagues ew&groupID=3216925 Baseball Museum (NLBM). The Room Rates for this brand-new Five-Star Hotel are: winners were: Mark Single, Doubles, Triples or Quads: Pattison of Washington, DC and Dave Raglin of $139 a night plus taxes McLean, Virginia. Cut-Off Date for JW Marriott’s Discounted Rooms is June 28, 2011 Congratulations to Pattison and Raglin on Register Today! becoming members of the NLBM. The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 2 of 8 Call for Papers

14th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference July 21-24, 2011 The JW Marriott Indianapolis, IN Theme: ―Black Baseball in Indiana‖

lack baseball has deep roots in Indiana. During the late 1800s, African American players were emerging from B communities across the state. After the turn of the century, some businesses began forming semi- professional teams. The most notable of these were the West Baden Sprudels, French Lick Plutos, and original Indianapolis ABCs. In 1914, C. I. Taylor took the Sprudels to Indianapolis and transformed the ABCs into a fully professional team. Taylor was then instrumental in forming the Negro , which played its first game in 1920 at Washington Park. Through the history of the Negro Leagues, Indianapolis hosted other teams, including the Crawfords (1940) and the Clowns (1942-1962). Among all its sports legends, Indiana’s greatest athlete was , who was born in Indianapolis in 1896, played for the ABCs, and managed the 1940 Crawfords and 1954 Clowns.

The 14th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference will celebrate Indiana’s rich baseball history. In addition to two days of research presentations and player panels, attendees will also enjoy a public screening of a new documentary film, the dedication of a new state historical marker at Washington Park, and a Negro Leagues tribute game with the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the ). On Sunday, attendees can participate in services at Bethel A.M.E. Church (where C.I. Taylor’s funeral was held) and a grave marker installation for Olivia Taylor, who owned the ABCs after her husband passed away. At the end of the conference, we will also offer an optional overnight trip to the West Baden Springs Hotel, which has been fully restored to the way it was when C. I. Taylor’s Sprudels played there. Several MLB teams also trained at West Baden during the early 1900s.

Presentation Proposals: due March 18th, 2011

Presentations may focus on any topic related to the theme, black baseball in the Midwest, or other Negro Leagues issues. Some possibilities: Indiana teams and players (including town clubs, early semi-pro teams, and professional teams), Indianapolis involvement in the first and second formations of the Negro National League, Indiana ballparks, Indianapolis Freeman sports writing, baseball as part of Indianapolis’s black community, the KKK’s influence on baseball, barnstorming, or anything else that captures your interest.

Proposals should include a 250-word abstract, plus a brief biographical note with contact information. For oral presentations, please indicate whether you will require any AV equipment. For poster presentations, please indicate the number and size of posters you wish to display.

Please email your proposal as a Word or RTF attachment to [email protected]. Or, send it via traditional mail to Geri Strecker, Dept. of English, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.

Notifications will go out by Day—April 15.

To register at the brand new Five-Star J.W. Marriott go to: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/indjw-jw- marriott-indianapolis/?toDate=7/24/11&groupCode=JERJERA&fromDate=7/20/11&app=resvlink Room rates are currently at $139 per night. Book rooms early to avoid rate increase.

For conference updates visit: http://www.larrylester42.com/jerry-malloy-negro-leagues-conference/

The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 3 of 8

America’s original Negro Baseball League Conference

July 21st (Thur) to 24th (Sun) - 2011 Indianapolis, IN General Information SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee encourages the study and research of African American baseball and its influence on society and sport history. The Conference promotes activities to enhance scholarly, educational, and literary objectives.

The annual JERRY MALLOY NEGRO LEAGUE CONFERENCE is hosted by the SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN BASEBALL RESEARCH (SABR’S) NEGRO LEAGUES COMMITTEE. The Conference is the only symposium dedicated exclusively, for the past 13 years, to the examination and promotion of black baseball history.

Commonly Asked Questions How Can I Register? Internet: click here - The SABR Store SABR accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Card By Mail: Send Registration Form on page 2 with full payment to: SABR, Attn: Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference 812 Huron Ave., Suite 719, Cleveland, OH 44115

What Are the Key Cut-Off Dates? $2,500 Scholarship Entry Deadline February 21, 2011 Call for Papers & Poster Presentations March 18, 2011 $1,000 Library Grant Deadline March 18, 2011 Early Conference Registration Ends April 15, 2011 Art Contest Deadline May 6, 1911 Ads for Conference Booklet (see page 6) June 1, 2011 Cut-Off Date for J.W. Marriott’s Rooms June 28, 2011 Pre-Registration Deadline July 7, 2011

Is the Conference only for members of SABR? No, the conference is OPEN to baseball, history and sports fans of all ages.

How Do I Get Updates on Conference Events?

―Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference‖ for the latest news & photos.

For a complete registration packet download it at: http://www.larrylester42.com/assets/Images/Events/Registration-2011-package.pdf The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 4 of 8

July 21st (Thur) to 24 th (Sun) - 2011 Indianapolis, IN Number of Early Regular Late/On- Registration Packages Packages by April 15 by July 7 Site Total Education Package – Thursday morning only $15 $20 $25 Teachers’ Guide. Triple Play Package – Thurs, Fri & Saturday Includes all presentations, “meet & greet,” ballgame, picnic $135 $170 $195 at Victory Field, and Awards Banquet, plus education forum. Home Run Package - Full Student Registration (with ID) – Friday & Saturday. Full time students only. $80 $100 $125 Includes all presentations, “meet & greet,” ballgame, picnic at Victory Field, and Awards Banquet. Grand Slam Package - Full Adult Registration – Friday & Saturday $120 $150 $175 Includes all presentations, “meet & greet,” ballgame, picnic at Victory Field, and Awards Banquet. Single Day Package – Friday or Saturday Conference presentations only. Does not include “Meet & $70 $90 $100 Greet,” ballgame, ballgame picnic, or Awards Banquet. Sub-Total

Number of Individual Individual Individual Tickets Ticket Tickets Prices Total Additional Cost for Guests & Family Saturday Night’s Awards Banquet $65 Friday Night’s Indianapolis Indians Baseball Game, Box Seats $12 Friday Night’s Indians pre-Game all-you-can-eat picnic buffet [Does not include game ticket] Includes hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled BBQ chicken, side orders, soft drinks & beer. $16 Thursday night’s “Meet & Greet” Reception [Includes snacks and refreshments] Free

You may also donate funds for: SABR is a 501 C-3 Washington Park Historical Site Marker Headstone Restoration Program – Grave Markers Student Scholarships School Library Grants Sponsor a Player of your Choice Grand Total You May REGISTER at the SABR Link Below Click here: SABR Store for Registration or Copy & Paste this link: http://store.sabr.org/sabrstore.cfm?a=prd&scid=25 SABR accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Card Or pay by mail: Make your checks or money orders out to SABR – Malloy Conference. Jerry Malloy Conference - 812 Huron Road East, Suite 719 - Cleveland, OH 44115 - (216) 575-0500 The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 5 of 8

team in . Most of this book Dugout Reading . . . . . is a look at the “reluctant pioneer” – Pumpsie Green, and his place in the history of a Red Sox The latest edition of “Black Ball: A Negro team which rejected Jackie Robinson and turn Leagues Journal” is now available. The cover art of is done by London Ladd. The down the chance to sign . Other Fall, 2010, issue outstanding sections include Piper Davis, Mays’ highlights the mentor and the HOFer Willard “Home Run’ barnstorming Brown are included. The chapter “Tryout and tour between Fallout” is my favorite. Copies are available at the Kansas City Rounder Books, http://www.rounderbooks.com/ . Monarchs, the Celebrating House of David Ourselves: African- and the Colored Americans and the House of David; Promise of Baseball and some great by Daryl Russell articles on the Grigsby. Celebrating Negro Southern Ourselves League,Trickste demonstrates how rs and Folklore baseball is intricately in Black woven in the fabric of Baseball, When African-American Oscar family, social and Charleston political life. Beyond came to Portsmouth, Virginia; Satchel Paige and the significant his stint with the Miami Marlins and a sure-fire accomplishments on candidate for Cooperstown’s J.G. Taylor Spink the diamond, well- Award, (named after the late editor of The Sporting recounted here, News), Frank “Fay” Young, the profilic writer for baseball knitted the Chicago Defender. Since 1962, the Spink generations, taught Award honors a baseball writer (or writers) "for perseverance, demonstrated economic meritorious contributions to baseball writing.” independence and has been a forum for civil rights Previous winners include Wendell Smith and Sam and equality. This book discusses baseball from Lacy. Excellent book reviews are also availble three perspectives; from the player, the fan and the from this academic publication. Get your copy at: family. Grigsby’s first baseball book can be found at www.mcfarlandpub.com today. Dog Ear Publishing, www.dogearpublishing.net .

Pumpsie & Progress: $$$ When you RENEW your SABR membership for The Red Sox, Race and 2011, please consider earmarking extra funds for the Redemption by Bill JERRY MALLOY NEGRO LEAGUE CONFERENCE and/or Nowlin (editor). Jeremy Krock’s HEADSTONE RESTORATION PROJECT for Redemption may be too unmarked graves. Go to: http://store.sabr.org and strong a word, but there enter your tax-deductible gift, along with a brief description for allocation of your funds. seems to have been a change in the approach to See the ESPN video on Outside the Lines race on the part of the Red http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/sto Sox. More than half a ry?id=6136800 century has passed since We welcome donations in any amount to support the Red Sox brought our efforts in providing scholarships, library grants Pumpsie Green on board, and honoring black baseball history. $$$ thereby integrating the last The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 6 of 8

Sunrises! SEND YOUR FAVORITE NEGRO LEAGUER A BIRTHDAY CARD. Sunsets . . . . MARCH JAMES EDWARD CLEVELAND ―CLEVE‖ GODFREY, 1ST - VERNELL JACKSON - 81 SR., 78, died January 11, 2011, in Richmond, Virginia. 2ND - SONNY SMITH – 84 He was utility player for the 1951 Birmingham Black 4TH – CHARLES MIDDLEBROOK - 75 Barons. Godfrey, a former collegiate quarterback, was 5TH – BERNARD FERNANDEZ - 93 inducted into the Elizabeth City State University’s Hall TH of Fame for throwing the most touchdown passes in one 7 – JAMES WOODS – 77 TH game (seven). 11 – BOB MOTLEY – 88 (UMPIRE)

12TH – HERALD “BEE BOP” GORDON - 83 GEORGE DANIEL ―BIG GEORGE‖ CROWE, 89, died 13TH – LEROY HANCOCK - 80 January 18, 2011, in Rancho Cordova, California. Crowe 15TH – ALBERT JEFFCOAT – 79; CHARLIE DAVIS - 84 was a for the N.Y. Cubans, Philadelphia 18TH – CHARLIE PRIDE – 76; EZELL KING - 81 Stars and the N.Y. Black Yankees, from 1947 to 1949. 19TH – WILLIE LEE - 76 Before a career in black baseball, he was the first Mr. 20TH – GEORGE ALTMAN - 78 Basketball in Indiana, in 21ST – BENNY RODRIQUEZ - 84 1939. Crowe also hooped 31ST – MEL DUNCAN – 82 for the all-black N.Y. Rens

and later with Jackie Robinson on the integrated APRIL Los Angeles Red Devils. 5TH – MARVIN PRICE - 79 TH Legendary basketball coach 6 – HAL HAIRSTON - 89 Fuzzy Vandivier called the TH 15 – J.C. HARTMAN – 77 6'-4" Crowe, "The best money TH 16 – JOHN GIBBONS - 89 player I have ever seen."In TH 18 – JIM ZAPP - 87 nine Major League seasons 23RD – CHUCK HARMON – 87; GENE SMITH - 94 with Boston, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and St. Louis, 25TH – JERRY BENNETT – 90; SAM ALLEN – 75 Crowe was a stellar pinch-hitter setting a record 14 (later 26TH – BUDDY WILLIAMS – 97 broken) home runs. In 1957, the lefty 31 homers and 27TH – TONY LLOYD – 75 was named to the All-Star team. 30TH – JOE DOUSE – 81 CLINTON HILL ―BUTCH‖ MCCORD, 84, died January 27, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee. McCord MAY played football at Tennessee State 1ST – PIANO RED WALKER - 79 and served two years in the Navy 6TH – WILLIE MAYS – 80 during World War II. After his 9TH – CARL LONG - 76 military tour, he starred at first 13TH – J.W. WINGATE - 82 base from 1946-50 for the 17TH – GENE SCRUGGS – 73; IRVIN CASTILLE - 85 Baltimore Elite Giants, Nashville 18TH – ART “SUPERMAN” PENNINGTON - 88 Cubs and the Chicago American 22ND – GEORGE SPRIGGS – 74; Giants. McCord was a member of MAURICE PEATROS – 72 the Nashville Old Timers Baseball 23RD – RAY HOLMES - 75 Association and was honored as 25TH – LARRY LEGRANDE – 72; CURLEY WILLIAMS - Mr. Baseball by the organization 86 in 1996. 29TH – HAROLD HAIR – 79; ROBERTO VARGAS - 82 CECIL ―MINUTE MAN‖ KAISER, 94, died February NOTE: Congratulations to Nonagenarians: GENE 14, 2011, in Southfield, Michigan. The small frame left- SMITH, BUDDY WILLIAMS, JERRY BENNETT & hander was known for good fastball and an assortment of off-speed pitches. Kaiser was known as the “Minute BERNARD FERNANDEZ Man” because it only took him a minute to retire the side. Kaiser pitched in 1939 and 1945-49 for Pittsburgh At press time there are roughly 222 Crawfords (USL) & Brooklyn Brown Dodgers (USL), living Negro League legends. , and the . The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 7 of 8

Welcome . . . . . Hall of Famer Junius “Rainey” Bibbs Dick Clark and I would like to welcome 16 new n January 28th, a contingent of about 30 friends members to the Negro Leagues Committee: and family members attended the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Mary Leisring [email protected]; Dick Rosen O Indianapolis for Rainey Bibbs, a two-sports star in Terre [email protected]; Robert May Haute at Wiley High School (now closed) and Indiana [email protected]; Richard Riis State University (formerly Indiana State Teachers [email protected]; Michael Williams College. The Hall of Fame on the campus of Vincennes [email protected]; Matt Kochan University is sponsored by the Indiana High School [email protected]; Robert Eichem Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA). [email protected]; Bob Hurte [email protected]; Jeffrey Ecker [email protected]; Victor Wilson [email protected]; Donald Frank [email protected]; Ray Schmidt [email protected]; Thomas Bradley [email protected]; Ken Parsons: Bibbs [email protected]; Jacob Wilkes [email protected] and Karen Holleran [email protected]. See her research request below.

Research Request I just became a SABR Member. I received the New Member Handbook and read where there are different Research Committees. My latest interest focuses on the Negro Leagues. I have been researching on Barnstorming and the Negro Leagues".

In the past, I have presented papers on Racism in Baseball at various conferences, as well as the topic of Women in Sports. My thesis dealt with the history of how women were treated in Sports. Bibbs played from 1933-44 at second, third and short for the Detroit Stars, Cincinnati Tigers, Chicago American Contact Karen Holleran at: [email protected] Giants, K.C. Monarchs, Indianapolis Crawfords, & the Cleveland Buckeyes. The switch-hitter represented the Two $1,000 Library Grants still available. Cincinnati Tigers in the 1937 East-West All-Star game Go to: at second base. http://www.larrylester42.com/assets/Images/Ev He later taught biology and coached baseball and ents/2011-Library-Grant-App.pdf wrestling for a quarter of a century at Crispus Attucks and download your application. High School, the first all-black school in the country to The deadline is March 18, 2011. win a state title in basketball. That team was coached by Ray Crowe, George’s brother. The team’s star Oscar SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee Robertson and future Harlem Globetrotter Hallie Larry Lester Co-chair, [email protected] Bryant played for Coach Bibbs’s baseball team. Bibbs Dick Clark Co-chair,[email protected] would later teach two years at Thomas Carr Howe High School before retiring in 1972. The Courier is a quarterly newsletter published by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); in March, June, Previous to this honor, Bibbs was inducted into the September and December. Inquiries, submissions and Indiana State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in research requests can be sent to Larry Lester. 1998. He had been a star fullback on the university’s To receive your personal copies of this newsletter join SABR football team. Bibbs was born on Halloween Day, 1910, by clicking here. And for back issues of The Courier click in Henderson, Kentucky and died on September 11, here. 1980 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright © 2011 SABR. All Rights Reserved. The Courier, March, 2011 – a SABR publication – Page 8 of 8