When the Grass was Real & We Are the Ship --> Foreward & Innings 1-4

A breakdown of what a ball is made of.

Evolution of gloves in MLB.

Now a housing development, the old field is only marked by this sign.

Good museum but the majority of the items are reproductions. You're also not allowed to take any photos inside. Not nice!

What team is this building associated with?

A video

Thinking about Cool Papa Bell & We Are the Ship
1. Finding the tension: As we transition from the early days of baseball into pre-integration days, there's a tension that exists in the game. There's the national pastime. There's the glory, the heroes, the sentimentality for the era. At the same time, there is the harsh reality of segregation. The struggle for non-white players to make a living and find success. Looking closely at Cool Papa Bell's oral narrative and the early chapters of We Are The Ship, where can you find this tension? How do players respond to it? Deal with it? What are we to think of this tension?

More specifically We Are The Ship

1. How did the illustrations enhance the story? Which one was your favorite and why?

2. Inning 4 ends with a quote from Satchel Paige: "We were worked. Worked like the mule that plows the field during the week and pulls the carriage to church on Sunday." What are your thoughts on this line? If the players were the mules, who were the farmers? If the players were tearing up the land(scape) of baseball, do you think they were doing it for future generations?
3. What's the effect of repeating the phrase: "We played in a rough league"?
4. What is the most striking example of the player's struggle presented thus far?
5. What is the significance of the title?

Some KB effect (as time permits): Inning 5, Chpts. 3, 5, 6