Black Baseball, 1858-1900: A Comprehensive Record of the Teams, Players, Managers

Black Base Ball: Players, Teams, Managers, Owners and Umpires, 1858-1900, is a comprehensive look at black participation in the national pastime, providing biographical lists, player biographies, umpires and games officiated, and addresses of team managers and team secretaries. It documents well-known organizations like Washington's Mutuals, Philadelphia Pythians, Chicago Uniques, St. Louis Black Stockings, Cuban Giants, and Chicago Unions, and lesser-known aggregations like Wilmington Mutuals, Newton Black Stockings, San Francisco Enterprise, Dallas Black Stockings, Galveston Flyaways, Louisville Brotherhoods, and Helena Pastimes. Player biographies trace movements across the country and argue that social and cultural events shaped black baseball. High schools nurtured young players and transformed them into powerhouses, like Cincinnati's Vigilant Base Ball Club. A special essay devotes attention to visual representations of black baseball and the artists who created them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2018
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Black Base Ball: Players, Teams, Managers, Owners, and Umpires, 1858-1900, is a comprehensive examination of the involvement of Black individuals in the national sport. It offers a wealth of information, encompassing biographical lists that feature team rosters, team biographies, player biographies, umpires and games officiated, as well as addresses of team managers and team secretaries. The book meticulously documents renowned organizations such as Washington's Mutuals, Philadelphia Pythians, Chicago Uniques, St. Louis Black Stockings, Cuban Giants, and Chicago Unions, as well as lesser-known aggregations like Wilmington Mutuals, Newton Black Stockings, San Francisco Enterprise, Dallas Black Stockings, Galveston Flyaways, Louisville Brotherhoods, and Helena Pastimes. Player biographies serve as a valuable tool for tracing connections between teams across the country, highlighting the geographical shifts and movements of Black baseball players.

In addition to the biographical content, the book includes essays that provide insightful perspectives on the role of social and cultural events in shaping Black baseball. These essays frame the individual biographies, highlighting the ways in which these events influenced the lives and careers of Black baseball players.

The early stages of organized club formation and the development of local, regional, and national circuits are explored in depth. Waiters and barbers played a significant role in these endeavors, as they formed the earliest organized clubs and fostered the growth of the sport. Players belonged to both white and colored clubs, reflecting the diverse nature of the sport at that time. Umpires officiated matches involving colored, white, and interracial teams, showcasing the inclusivity and diversity of the sport.

High schools also played a crucial role in nurturing young Black baseball players and transforming them into formidable forces. Cincinnati's Vigilant Base Ball Club serves as an example of a high school that produced exceptional talent and contributed to the development of Black baseball.

A special essay in the book focuses on visual representations of Black baseball, highlighting the artists who created them. This essay explores the artistic contributions of colored artists who were also baseballists, adding a unique dimension to the understanding of the sport's history and culture.

Black Base Ball: Players, Teams, Managers, Owners, and Umpires, 1858-1900, is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and contributions of Black individuals to the world of baseball. It provides a comprehensive and detailed account of Black participation in the sport, highlighting the players, teams, managers, owners, and umpires who played a significant role in shaping its development. Through its biographical content, essays, and visual representations, the book offers a deep understanding of the social, cultural, and historical context in which Black baseball emerged and flourished.

Weight: 3248g
Dimension: 310 x 226 x 82 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780786494170