BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – After World War I, despite showing their dedication to fight for democracy African Americans returned to a country where they were still treated as second class citizens. Throughout the U.S segregation was still at it’s height and in many aspects of everyday life African Americans were trying to establish themselves in hopes of one day being treated as equals; even when it came to the baseball diamond. However, in 1920 a successful black entrepreneur and long time baseball enthusiast by the name of Rube Foster, filed papers to start the first ever Negro Baseball League. Foster is seen as pioneer of his time, managing to bring together a total of 8 African American owners and their teams; along with some of the greatest talent in baseball history. Names like Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, and Josh Gibson all became hall of famers and trailblazers in history. Other negro leagues later formed, giving us talents like Jackie Robinson and Hank Arron. However, in a brief moment in time there was a team right here in North Central West Virginia that played for love of the game. However, they still leave many questions for those that study history, like the Director of the Morgantown History Museum, Jason Burns.
” This photograph is one of few that still exist about these baseball teams that in the area. When I went to look it up in our archive; there’s very little information about the players and the teams, and sometimes like in this photo we have all of the names of the people, but even in this photo there’s one unidentified player. When you look it up in the archives it’ll say things like, there were other teams and other players in the county, but then it doesn’t say who they were. So, it’s a very truncated conversation you’re having with history, because you know the information was somewhere when that person wrote the book or wrote that text; but it never made it down through time.”
Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred stated the new initiative is focused on ” Ensuring that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the negro leagues possible”. While that may be true there are also those like long time Morgantown resident, Charlene Marshall, that remember growing up around that time. Also recalling how much these teams meant to the communities they called home.
” The gentleman on there, Mr. Garner who was a local barber, and he was the Coach for the team. And when I look at the photo although some of the individuals I didn’t know, but just by the names. I know there was one on there they evidently called Coffee, and I remember some of the members of his family, and there was just probably a couple of more on there, but Mr. Garner at one time we lived on the same street as he did in Morgantown. Just hearing those people speak about that it just must’ve been a joyous time for them.”
Mrs. Marshall is a part of history herself, being the first black women to serve as mayor in the history of West Virginia; but aside from her own accolades she appreciates the MLB’s effort to get it right.
” I’m sure so many people would be pleased to know that they’re going to incorporate the status, and that’s great; because you deserve credit for any accomplishments that you’ve had. Also, just to think given the opportunity you never know what somebody might be able to accomplish; but I think it’s so important whatever we do make sure we get it right, do the history right. I’ve been in several meetings sometimes where you don’t always agree, and I think before we say it’s going to be one way; let’s make sure we get it right.”
Even though there’s still limited information on the negro league teams that played here locally, which league they belonged to; or even who some of these players were. This picture is still an important representation of how far baseball come and to certain extent how far this country has.
” Acknowledging the past is a way of improving your future. So, by saying yes it was not valued at the time, but now we’re starting to see value in those types of things; In those important facts in history. So, bringing that back, acknowledging that, giving a voice to that community, at the same time bringing back a voice that was lost in the past. You’re giving something back to people, making them feel better about themselves. It’s the physiological and physical reconstruction of time, like I said we’ve only got this, but at least we have this. We have this.”
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