No other reviews for this documentary as I come here, with only a handful of overall rating votes. The picture is an inspirational look at how the races can come together in mutual friendship and respect if individuals are left to their own devices instead of being cowed by institutional racism. In 1955, Little League baseball fervor was widespread throughout the country, as the national pastime had an uncanny fascination for the minds and hearts of youngsters everywhere. Count me in that group, although my own Little League days occurred about a decade after the events described in this story. A lot of credit must go to the National LL Headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, whose president insisted that playoff games leading to a National Championship must be decided on the field between competitive teams, no matter what color the players were.
Here's the scenario - the Pensacola Jaycees were an all black LL team composed of All-Star players from their local neighborhood. When it came time for district playoffs in their part of the state of Florida, every white team refused to play against them. That would have been a decision made by managers, coaches, league executives and even the parents themselves. Because of the national rule, every white team that refused to play forfeited their position in the tournament. The Pensacola team won all their district playoff games by forfeit, a total of 61 games! The Pensacola players themselves weren't exactly thrilled by this, they would have preferred to play to prove to themselves how good they were.
By reaching the state level, the Pensacola Jaycees had to travel four hundred miles to Orlando, site of the their next playoff round against the Orlando Kiwanis. In this case, it was the players of the Orlando team who expressed their desire to play against the all black team, so parents and coaches fell in line. The league office at the state level was approached by irate opponents, but wisely backed off and allowed the decision to be made locally. In what is now a historic event in both sports and race relations, the opposing teams met on the playing field. It was no Cinderella story for the Pensacola team, as they lost to the larger and better Orlando team, 5-0, but it marked another small turning point in the history of race relations in the country.
Members of both the original teams were interviewed for this documentary, and it would have been a shame if they weren't brought together by the film makers putting this story together. That's exactly what happened, as sixty one years following the historic game played in 1955, members of both teams met on the same playing field to reminisce and declare their appreciation for each other in crossing the line of segregation that existed in the past. In earlier interviews, players of both sides described their feelings about growing up in a time marked by racism and intolerance. For most as kids, it was 'just the way things were', without giving it a second thought. As adults, they recognize notable improvement in the way things are today, though with an acknowledgment that race relations still have a way to go.
Adding some resonance to the topic, former professional league ball players lend their comments, including Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Sr., Davey Johnson and Gary Sheffield, along with early civil rights leader and politician, Andrew Young. They all commend the sport of baseball for the way it 'leveled the playing field' for blacks and whites in a way that was healthy and inspiring for the kids who play the game. Baseball fan or not, the documentary is worthwhile viewing, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to spread it's message as far and wide as possible.
Here's the scenario - the Pensacola Jaycees were an all black LL team composed of All-Star players from their local neighborhood. When it came time for district playoffs in their part of the state of Florida, every white team refused to play against them. That would have been a decision made by managers, coaches, league executives and even the parents themselves. Because of the national rule, every white team that refused to play forfeited their position in the tournament. The Pensacola team won all their district playoff games by forfeit, a total of 61 games! The Pensacola players themselves weren't exactly thrilled by this, they would have preferred to play to prove to themselves how good they were.
By reaching the state level, the Pensacola Jaycees had to travel four hundred miles to Orlando, site of the their next playoff round against the Orlando Kiwanis. In this case, it was the players of the Orlando team who expressed their desire to play against the all black team, so parents and coaches fell in line. The league office at the state level was approached by irate opponents, but wisely backed off and allowed the decision to be made locally. In what is now a historic event in both sports and race relations, the opposing teams met on the playing field. It was no Cinderella story for the Pensacola team, as they lost to the larger and better Orlando team, 5-0, but it marked another small turning point in the history of race relations in the country.
Members of both the original teams were interviewed for this documentary, and it would have been a shame if they weren't brought together by the film makers putting this story together. That's exactly what happened, as sixty one years following the historic game played in 1955, members of both teams met on the same playing field to reminisce and declare their appreciation for each other in crossing the line of segregation that existed in the past. In earlier interviews, players of both sides described their feelings about growing up in a time marked by racism and intolerance. For most as kids, it was 'just the way things were', without giving it a second thought. As adults, they recognize notable improvement in the way things are today, though with an acknowledgment that race relations still have a way to go.
Adding some resonance to the topic, former professional league ball players lend their comments, including Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Sr., Davey Johnson and Gary Sheffield, along with early civil rights leader and politician, Andrew Young. They all commend the sport of baseball for the way it 'leveled the playing field' for blacks and whites in a way that was healthy and inspiring for the kids who play the game. Baseball fan or not, the documentary is worthwhile viewing, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to spread it's message as far and wide as possible.
