Backdrop from Only the Ball Was White
Poster for Only the Ball Was White

Only the Ball Was White

1980

An Inspirational Documentary About the Forgotten Athletes of Baseball's Negro League

  • Ken Solarz
  • 30m
  • February 21, 1980 · United States of America

Overview

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.

Details

Status
Released
Release date
February 21, 1980
Original language
English
Spoken languages
English
Countries
United States of America
Production
WTTW/Chicago
Director
Ken Solarz
Producer
Ken Solarz
Budget
Not recorded
Revenue
Not recorded
Only the Ball Was White (1980) | Kinocult