Taking the Kids: An important history lesson through baseball in Kansas City
FYI: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., also celebrates African-American players with its exhibit "Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience," an interactive exhibit detailing the history of African Americans in baseball, from Civil War times through the major league integration of players, managers and executives; and "Viva Baseball!," an exhibit dedicated to baseball in the Caribbean Basin countries.
In Kansas City, we were surprised to learn that African Americans began to play baseball during the Civil War, even on pro teams with white players. But by 1900, racism and "Jim Crow" laws forced them out. They then formed their own teams, barnstorming across the country to play anyone who would challenge them. The teams brought economic development to black communities. Fans would head to Sunday games "dressed to the nines," straight from church. Fun fact: It was at a Negro Leagues game that the first night game under lights was played.
The museum is located in Kansas City's historic 18th and Vine District in the once segregated area of Kansas City that has long been home to jazz clubs and barbecue, including Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque and Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q, which began Kansas City's great barbecue tradition).
The Negro Leagues declined once Major League teams began recruiting African-American players, taking Negro Leagues fans with them. On 2015 Opening Day, according to Major League Baseball, the percentage of total major leaguers who are black, African-American or African-Canadian was 8.26 percent, while the percentage of American-born major leaguers on 2015 Opening Day active rosters was 11 percent.
This past June, Major League Baseball launched Play Ball, a new initiative to encourage participation in all forms of baseball activities among all age groups, especially youth. Significant funds have been earmarked for programs aimed at minority kids and those from underserved communities. The program also offers its own free Play Ball Mobile Coaching App.
Meanwhile, it's important to remember, said Kendrick, that of the major sports, baseball is still the most diverse. "These Negro Leagues players contributed not only to our sport but to our country," he added. "It is our job to make sure their legacy lives on."
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