Theme: “Black Baseball in Ohio”

Black baseball has a strong history in Ohio and especially the city of Cleveland. In the 19th century one of the first African American players in the Majors, Moses Fleetwood Walker, played in Toledo. The city of Cleveland had more Negro League entries (11) than any other city in the Negro Leagues from the 1920s through the 1940s. The crowning success came with the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes winning the Negro League World Series. Their roster included such key players as Quincy Trouppe, Sam Jethroe, Eugene Bremer and Archie Ware. In 1946 the Buckeyes added Eddie Klep to their squad, making him one of the first white players on a Negro League team. The Cleveland Indians boasted the first African American player in the AL with the signing of Larry Doby. They later added the legendary Satchel Paige to their roster.

The 15th Annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference will celebrate Ohio’s baseball history. In addition to two days of research presentations and player/author panels, attendees will also enjoy a special presentation about League Park and a game with the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins.

Presentation Proposals: due March 19th 2012

This interdisciplinary conference welcomes proposals for oral and poster presentations from all research fields. Previous presenters have included college faculty, public school teachers, graduate students, and independent scholars.

Presentations may focus on any topic related to the theme, black baseball in the Midwest, or other Negro Leagues issues. Some possibilities include: Ohio teams and players (including town clubs, early semi-pro teams, and professional teams), the Cleveland Buckeyes championship season, Ohio ballparks, Cleveland Call and Post sports writing, baseball as part of Ohio’s black communities, Moses Fleetwood Walker, barnstorming, or anything else that captures your interest.

Proposals should include a 250-word abstract, plus a brief biographical note with contact information. For oral presentations, please indicate whether you will require any AV equipment. For poster presentations, please indicate the number and size of posters you wish to display.

Please email your proposal as a Word attachment to lheaphy@kent.edu.
Or, send it via traditional mail to Leslie Heaphy, Kent State University at Stark 6000 Frank Rd, No. Canton, OH 44720 .

Notifications will go out by Jackie Robinson Day—April 15.

For further conference registration: http://www.larrylester42.com/jerry-malloy-negro-leagues-conference/