Only the Ball Was White
“An Inspirational Documentary About the Forgotten Athletes of Baseball's Negro League”
1980•G•30m•9.0•Released
Documentary
Throughout the 1900's, before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1946, black baseball talent blossomed in the Negro Leagues. Baseball buffs still sing the praises of Josh Gibson who could be counted on to hit 70 homeruns in a season, and Satchel Paige who pitched over 100 no-hitters in his career. Only the Ball Was White pays tribute to the many topflight players from the Negro Leagues. Narrated by actor Paul Winfield, the program documents a bygone bittersweet era in baseball and the men who were denied stardom by the color line. Ballplayers throughout the country were interviewed for this program, all of them quick to tell tales of the life, the competition, and the camaraderie. These include: Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Buck Leonard, Jimmy Crutchfield, David Malarcher, Effa Manley, and Quincy Trouppe.
Director
Ken Solarz
Writer
Ken Solarz
Languages
English
Studio
WTTW/Chicago
Cast
Paul Winfield
Narrator
Effa Manley
Self
Don Newcombe
Self
Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
Self
Buck Leonard
Self
Jimmie Crutchfield
Self
Roy Campanella
Self
Sam Hairston
Self
Quincy Trouppe
Self
Branch Rickey Jr
Self
Production
Company
WTTW/Chicago
Producer
Ken Solarz
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