This is about talented Black Americans who had a dream to play professional baseball. They were not allowed to play in the Major League, so they decided to organize a Negro National League. The league consisted of 8 teams. Rube decided run the league. He gave this league dignity and set a standard for things to come. In 1924, the First Colored World Series was held in Kansas City. Players faced segregation and discrimination most of the time. They had a rough life playing baseball in the Negro League, but it was something they loved. It was expensive to own a team and run the league. Many owners made their money in the numbers business. In 1930, J.L. Wilkson’s Negro team was the first one to play a night game. They had the first portable lighting system. They had many All Star players in the league like Norman “Turkey” Stearnes who had the most home runs. Oscar Charleston one of the best players of all time, no pitch was bad for him, he would always hit the ball. Many great Negro players went unnoticed. When they played against the Major Leagues, they would win 60% of the time. Both leagues learned from each other. In 1944, after 25 years the Major League Commissioner died and they appointed A.B. “Happy” Chandler. He integrated the players and made it possible for Negros to play in the Major League. After Jackie Robinson joined the Majors, the Negro League started to fade. People would travel to see the Major League play. This made it possible for great Negro players to play in the Majors and change the game of baseball. The author organizes this story in “innings.” Each “inning” opens with a quote from a player. The illustrations that Nelson painted were detailed, colorful, and realistic. The author’s information was accurate, he interviewed players, saw documentaries, and did research on the Negro League and players. You may integrate reading and social studies with this book. You may teach main idea and details for each chapter, text features, or even a social studies lesson on segregation and how times have changed.
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