Panel Discussion Virtual Event
The Curve Ball: The History of the Negro Baseball Leagues
Thursday, June 17, 2021
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
In December 2020, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that seven of the historic Negro Leagues, which operated between 1920 and 1948, would be given major league status, delivering what MLB described as “long overdue recognition” to about 3,400 players who will be added to its official statistics and records. This significant recognition of the historical merit of the all-Black professional baseball leagues took 100 years to happen.
For young African-American athletes who dreamed of playing as professionals, unwritten policies prohibited them for decades from playing in the whites-only major leagues. It took the determination and foresight of African-American leaders and the vision of a few trailblazers in major league management to make that dream a reality. Please join us as we discuss this too often forgotten backstory of America’s favorite pastime.
CHILDREN’S HISTORICAL PUBLISHING WILL PRESENT THIS VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT TO HELP DISTRIBUTE BOOKS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY YOUTH.
The panel will feature special guests discussing the book, The Curve Ball: The History of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Whether you’re a lover of baseball, a student of history or an advocate for young children, this program will, both, inform and inspire you.
Panelists
Marc Katz: Retired Dayton Daily News sportswriter
Michael Carter: Chief Diversity Officer, Sinclair Community College, and Negro Baseball Leagues enthusiast
Facilitator
Judge Walter H. Rice: All-time baseball fan
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsors of $100 or more will be recognized during the panel discussion.
LEAGUE OWNER: $1,000 Supports distribution of 100 books to area at-risk youth
HOMERUN: $500 Supports distribution of 50 books
TRIPLE: $300 Supports distribution of 30 books
SINGLE: $100 Supports distribution of 10 books
AVID FAN: At a cost of $10 per book, you can purchase books for your children, grandchildren, a classroom, a little league team, etc.
Many thanks to the organizations helping us get the books into the hands of our local youth:
Building Bridges
Dayton Young Black Professionals
Family Services
My Brother’s Keeper – Springfield, OH
The CARES Justice Institute, Inc.
The Conscious Connect, Inc.
The Foodbank, Inc.
The Jewish Community Relations Council
The Potter’s House – Dayton International Ministries
