For Immediate Release
Contact:
Leilani Lewis, Communications Manager
Northwest African American Museum
[email protected]
206.518.6000 x 108
Northwest African American Museum Presents
Pitch Black: African American
Baseball in Washington
February 1– November 9, 2014
SEATTLE, December 18, 2013 －Just in time for the beginning of Black History Month, the Northwest African
American Museum (NAAM) is proud to present Pitch Black: African American Baseball in Washington. On
display in NAAM’s Northwest Gallery from February 1, 2014 through November 9, 2014, this exhibition takes
visitors on an exciting journey through the voices, experiences, and images of Washington’s black players and
teams like Roslyn miner and star pitcher Jimmy Claxton (the first African American on a baseball card), the Owls
Club women’s softball team (Washington State Champs in 1938 and Seattle City Champs in 1939), and the
Seattle Steelheads (Washington’s West Coast Negro League team).
Because Washington did not have professional team until 1946, much of our state’s black baseball history
played out at the amateur and semi-professional levels and is largely undocumented. “Baseball in Washington’s
black communities has a strong but quiet history,” said Chieko Phillips, the exhibition’s curator. “Most people
know the segregated history of our national pastime, but few know how the story of how integration played out
on our local baseball fields.”
Organized in chronological vignettes, the exhibition communicates Washington’s dynamic black baseball
narrative through photographs, interactive components, oral histories, and compelling artifacts (including a real
World Series trophy). Yes, baseball was segregated in Washington and, in Pitch Black, visitors will hear about it
from those who experienced it first-hand. But segregation is only one topic explored by the exhibition. Visitors
will learn that baseball made an important statement about citizenship and worth in Seattle’s black community,
how traveling play called “barnstorming” helped spread the seeds of the civil rights movement, and about local
players who made it to the big leagues. Finally, Pitch Black explores the current standing of our national
pastime with youth today. Is baseball still America’s pastime? Visit NAAM in February to find out.
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Northwest African American Museum
2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Pitch Black: African American Baseball in Washington is curated by Chieko Phillips, Exhibitions Manager at the
Northwest African American Museum.
The exhibition has been organized by the Northwest African American Museum.
Presenting sponsor is Seattle Mariners – Mariners Care.
Major Corporate Support: Safeco Insurance Foundation, Verizon Wireless, and Wells Fargo. Additional Support
provided by Swedish Medical Center, Key Bank Foundation, US Bancorp Foundation, ROOT Sports, Comcast,
Seattle Goodwill, The Boeing Company, Russell Investments, and the Center for Diversity & Health Equity at
Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Major Individual Support: Mimi Gardner Gates and William Gates, Sr., Norman and Constance Rice, Juli Farris,
Ellen Ferguson, Kirk Clothier and Deborah Boylston Clothier, Michael and Barbara Malone, the Wyman Youth
Trust, and Contributors to NAAM’s Annual Fund,
Media sponsors: KUOW Puget Sound FM Public Radio and Clear Channel Media + Entertainment
Ongoing support provided by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Seattle Foundation, Microsoft, 4Culture,
Artsfund, and the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
ABOUT NAAM
NAAM’s mission is to spread knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the histories, arts and cultures of
people of African descent for the enrichment of all. Located in Seattle’s Central District in the historic Colman
School building, NAAM accomplishes its mission by working with others to investigate and celebrate Black
experiences in American through exhibitions, programs, and events.
Northwest African American Museum
2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Northwest African American Museum
2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144