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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=31189
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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: February 11, 2020 02:34 PM
From: Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Dan K. Williams, Rep. Ed Gainey
To: All House members
Subject: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Negro National League
 
In February 1920, a group of African American baseball team owners met at a YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri to discuss the prospect of a colored baseball league, which led to the creation of the Negro National League.

While African Americans initially played baseball alongside their white teammates in the 1860's, Jim Crow laws, segregationist beliefs, and unwritten rules eventually resulted in professional baseball shutting out black ballplayers. As a result, African Americans formed their own teams through the latter part of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, including teams in cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania. These Pennsylvania teams were critical to the success of negro baseball leagues, allowing African American players to showcase their talent and thrive in a professional setting.

The integration of major league baseball by Jackie Robinson and the success of other African American players drained the Negro National League of its fan base and eventually led to it disbanding in 1948. However, the Negro National League and other negro baseball leagues proved that African American baseball players could play on even terms with their white counterparts and draw just as much interest from baseball fans.

We are introducing a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro National League and celebrating the history of such leagues. Please join us in supporting this resolution and help shine a light on the vital role these leagues played in making baseball what it is today.



Introduced as HR735