Message scores a homerun

 IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. That's how Harold "Buster" Hair who played 3rd base, shortstop and outfielder for the Birmingham Black Barons and Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Baseball League from 1953–1958 compared their experience when asked as regular, ordinary guys who were part of an extraordinary situation, while they were playing in the league, did they ever think they were doing something extraordinary others would celebrate years later. Hair answered their situation was much like that of the woman's league in the movie by that name. They played not for money or fame but for the passion of the game. They wanted to show they could play just as good as the major league players, they were just not allowed.

John Sotomayor

Clifford Brown, Cox Communication’s Mike Giampietro, Devon Chestnut with baseball players involved with the Negro League Baseball project to encourage young people to take up the pastime of baseball. The players – Harold Hair, Arthur Hamilton, Walter Lee

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Michel Northsea

Fairfield Village resident Priscilla Geissal, right, late father-in-law was a professional baseball players and spoke highly of the players in the Negro League so she went to meet them at the Paddock Mall. She visited with, back to front, Walter Lee “Dirk

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John Sotomayor

Jacksonville Blue Hawks drop by Holiday Inn & Suites to get autograph. They were playing in the Cal Ripkin 10-year old World Series in Ocala.

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Michel Northsea

Jerry Morris waits for his signed poster from baseball legends from the Negro League Baseball league last week at the Paddock Mall. Pictured with Morris is Farrah Duhart. The baseball players included, left to right, Arthur Hamilton, Raydell Maddix and W

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“It was tough in those days” says Arthur “Jr.” Hamilton, catcher for the Indianapolis Clowns and Detroit Stars 1953–1959. “I had to go through the Negro Leagues … the only way I had to play ball.”

“It was hard on us” adds Raydell “Bo” Maddix, pitcher and outfielder for the Indianapolis Clowns 1947–1953. “We had to sleep on the bus then go out and play nine innings. Played every day.” Hamilton adds “We had a good bus, but it broke down one time in Morgantown, West Virginia. We pull over and the bus driver yells ‘everybody off the bus.’ Then he says, ‘ok, now everybody get behind it and push.’ So that’s what we did.” A far cry from private jets and five-star accommodations lavished on today’s major league players.

So went on the hardship stories told by each panelist including Clifford Brown, 2nd base, shortstop for Philadelphia Stars 1949–1951; Walter “Dirk” Gibbons, pitcher for the Philadelphia Stars, New York Black Yankees and Indianapolis Clowns, 1941–1949; Coach Billy Reed; and A.J. Jackson, pitcher for the Kansas Coty Monarchs, 1957 in the Negro Leagues and 1958 in the Major leagues; some who have played against the greats like Willie Mays.

Created by Cox Communications, the Negro Baseball League Project consisted of two full days of events on Aug.12th and 13th commencing with the community luncheon at Holiday Inn Suites & Conference Center, followed by an autograph session at the Paddock Mall and an appearance the following day at the Cal Ripkin 10 year-old World Series at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex.

“Baseball is almost extinct in the black communities,” said Hair, who due to his impressive talent, was invited to the 1953 East-West All Star game as a rookie and in 1958 led the league in hitting with a .355 average. “Kids nowadays are attracted to the showboating of basketball and football.” After retiring from the NBL Hair moved back to Jacksonville and coached baseball, basketball and football; having earned “Coach of the Year” in 1969, and won city, county, district and regional championships.

Sharon Tamater, counselor at PACE School for Girls asked “what encouragement would you give to young kids facing adversity?” Reed said “be a scholar-athlete” - not just an athlete. Need to think about your future. Prepare yourself for the finish line, don’t worry so much about the starting line.” Of the seven, Hair graduated from college, having earned a Bachelor’s degree from A&T State University, North Carolina and a Master’s from the University of Florida.

Thanks to Hair and his fellow NBL vets the message hit a home run.

They hope America’s youth – especially its African American youth learn its value and rise above their challenges by adapting and overcoming; rather than being self-defeated and angry.

“Shouldn’t be angry at all” said Gibbon. Just focus and “play the game we really love. Prove we could play as good as anyone in the majors.”

These men are in a league of their own in terms of a bond that no one else could fully realize but them and they carry that distinction -- that honor -- with class. Jackson jokes he holds a record that will last forever. “I am the last person to hit a home run in the NBL All-Stars game and will live out my dream it will never be broken. Does anyone know why?” “Why” asks the audience. “No more Negro League” he jokes.

At each event, the six NBL veterans signed autographs for as long as two hours. In stark contrast to many retired major league stars who charge for autographs, the NBL veterans gladly signed baseballs, posters and trading cards provided by Cox for free for all who wanted them.