RiverDogs to Present Negro League Baseball Weekend
August 9, 2005 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON, SC - As part of the Charleston RiverDogs' eight-game homestand that begins Friday, the organization will salute the Negro League with a special baseball weekend, August 13-14
The RiverDogs will again welcome members of the 1955 Cannon Street All-Stars, who, a half-century ago, won the state and regional Little League tournaments. The All-Stars were invited to attend the 1955 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, PA, but could not play because officials ruled that they had advanced to the championship without actually playing on the field. Spectators at the tournament chanted, "Let Them Play," now the title of a newly released children's book by Margot Theis Raven.
Forty-seven years later, in 2002, 14 All-Stars returned to Williamsport and claimed their 1955 championship title. Now, on the 50th anniversary of their championship, several of those Cannon Street All-Stars will soon be taking a trip to the cities where they would have had competition.
"We honor these gentlemen and their fight for equality by hosting an event that will continue to spread this tremendous story of strength through adversity," said RiverDogs general manager Dave Echols.
The weekend's salute is sponsored by Comcast.
The four former Negro League players who are expected to attend include Carl Long, who played with the Birmingham Black Barons; William Dumpson, who played with the Indianapolis Clowns, Philadelphia Stars and New York Black Yankees; Clifford Layton, who played with the New York Black Yankees; and Robert Williams, who played with the Birmingham Black Barons.
And on Sunday, Aug. 14, the RiverDogs celebrate Unity Day '05 that will be highlighted with a pregame event that begins at 3:15 p.m. Several speakers will be on hand to discuss the importance and the value of community and unity. Also on that afternoon, there will be up to 1,000 youth at the game as part of the organization's Larry Doby Passion for the Community Day.
Through this program, Lowcountry non-profit organizations have requested tickets to RiverDogs games throughout the season to bring a group to a home game which otherwise would not have the opportunity. These tickets are sponsored by Hutto Refrigeration, Howard Johnson, Lafarge, Sunshine Enterprises and various season ticket holders who wish to donate their unused tickets.
Doby, a native of Camden, SC, was the first African-American player in the American League, and was signed by Bill Veeck, father of RiverDogs' co-owner Mike Veeck. Doby was a power-hitting center fielder and a key member of the Cleveland Indians' pennant winners in 1948 and 1954. Before joining the Indians, he starred with the Negro National League's Newark Eagles for four seasons, leading them to a championship in 1946. A nine-time All-Star (seven times with the Indians and twice with the Eagles), Doby led the American League twice in homers.
Doby also played with the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers, and was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame by the Committee on Baseball Veterans in 1998. He died on June 18, 2003, in Montclair, NJ.
Doby is remembered for his love and commitment to the game of baseball and those who knew him say that Doby always wanted to see more children fall in love with the game.
Doby's presence continues to be felt throughout Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park as his jersey No. 14 is retired on the center field wall, and large picnic areas above the third base line is also named "Doby's Deck." He had made several appearances at RiverDogs games.
Saturday's game with Columbus will begin at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday's contest, also against the Catfish, will start at 4:05 p.m.
For ticket information, please contact the RiverDogs Box Office at (843)577-DOGS (3647) or order online at www.riverdogs.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 9, 2005
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- Wasted opportunities spell end of three-game winning streak for Fish in 6-5 loss to Augusta - Columbus Catfish
- 'Dads out duel 'Birds, 4-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Bombers blast Sandgnats, 16-1 - Greenville Drive
- Legends take series with 5-4 win - Lexington Legends
- Suns lose 5-4 at Lexington - Hagerstown Suns
- Brian Jordan to make rehab appearance - Rome Emperors
- Principal "Family Fun Fest" to visit Classic Park - Lake County Captains
- Captains rained out again - Lake County Captains
- Intimidators and Captains Rained Out; I's Head to Lakewood Wednesday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- 'Birds' Offense Explodes Early and Often to Beat Hickory, 10-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Barthmaier named Pitcher of the Week - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs to Present Negro League Baseball Weekend - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power win third in a row - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Brady heads back to Brevard County - Charleston Dirty Birds
- South Atlantic League names players of the week - SAL1
- Mullet Madness - Greenville Drive
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