Keys Team With NAACP For First Negro League Night at Harry Grove Stadium
Published on August 4, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
Frederick, MD - The Frederick Keys, Advanced Class-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, along with the local chapter of the NAACP have teamed together to commemorate Negro League baseball locally and nationally with its first ever Negro League Night Thursday, August 20th when the Keys take on the Wilmington Blue Rocks at 7:00 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium.
"This is a night honoring Negro League baseball both on a local and national level," Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. "Commemorating local teams in Frederick County is long overdue and we are happy to provide the venue to do so."
The night will feature the Keys and Blue Rocks in replica Negro League jerseys.
Frederick will wear a compilation of the home jerseys of the 1940 Birmingham Black Barons, 1947 Chattanooga Choo-Choos, 1935 Homestead Grays, 1951 Indianapolis Clowns, 1942 Kansas City Monarchs, 1945 Memphis Red Sox, 1946 Newark Eagles, 1948 New York Cubans and 1938 Pittsburgh Crawfords.
Wilmington will wear away jerseys from the 1926 Baltimore Black Sox, 1949 Baltimore Elite Giants, 1935 Brooklyn Eagles, 1915 Brooklyn Royal Giants, 1946 Cleveland Buckeyes, 1950 Detroit Stars, 1944 Washington Homestead Grays, 1938 Jacksonville Red Caps and 1939 Philadelphia Stars.
Two former Negro League stars that played for teams whose jerseys will be represented in the evening's game will be in attendance presented by the Black Athletes and Lost Legends Association.
Eddie Banks of Ft. Washington, MD is a Vietnam veteran who gave 25-years of service to the D.C. Police Department. But before those days he was an outstanding ballplayer who played with the Newark Eagles (1958-60) and Newark Phillies (1960-65) before entering the service. Banks continued to play in the DC area upon his return from Vietnam from 1968-85. He was the MVP of the Ridge Cardinals of the Maryland Independent League in 1978.
Jimmy "Beady" Bland a native Washingtonian, went straight to the Indianapolis Clowns out of high school and batted .355 in three years with the club (1960-62). Beady had an opportunity to sign with the San Francisco Giants but he was drafted into the United States Army.
Celebrating the national legacy of Negro Leagues baseball is not the sole focus of the occasion. The Keys are proud to bring light to the rich history of Negro League baseball in Frederick.
A three-page spread in the Keys Free Gameday Magazine will take a look at the history of Negro League baseball in Frederick. Teams made of local young men barnstormed against other area teams over the span of decades at old Lincoln High School and McCurdy Field amongst other places. Teams like the Frederick Richfield Eagles (1939-47) and William P. Larkins American Legion Frederick Dodgers (1947-mid 60's) will be commemorated during the event. Many former Frederick ballplayers and their families will be on hand.
"The role played by the Negro League was crucial in the quest for equality of opportunity to all regardless of their race and I am grateful to partner with the Keys to pay tribute to the Civil Rights Giants who made it possible," Guy Djoken, President of the local NAACP stated. "We are looking forward for the participation of the whole community in this memorable event."
Complimentary youth tickets for youth-related organizations are available by contacting Keys Group Sales Manager Quinn Williams at 301-815-9906 or via email at qwilliams@frederickkeys.com.
Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. with on-field festivities taking place in the half hour prior to first pitch. For tickets contact the Keys at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at frederickkeys.com.
You Gotta See This! Get your Keys to the newly renovated Harry Grove Stadium featuring a brand new Scoreboard, Videoboard Sound System, Restrooms and Press Box. The Keys continue its series with the first place Potomac Nationals with Rollback Night featuring Dollar Dogs and an Eighties Cover Band Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m. For tickets contact the Keys Box Office or purchase online at frederickkeys.com.
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- Keys Team With NAACP For First Negro League Night at Harry Grove Stadium - Frederick Keys
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