Echoes Of The Diamond: The Black Baseball Stories Southern Maryland Almost Forgot

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — Long before organized leagues were widely integrated, Sunday afternoons in Southern Maryland told a different story, one of community, culture and connection centered around baseball.

That story will take center stage during “Sundays Revisited: A Conversation on Black League Baseball in Southern Maryland,” an upcoming event at The Dodge Performing Arts Center, where former players, historians and community members will gather to reflect on a largely untold chapter of local history.

For Hugh Davies, one of the voices helping bring this history forward, the effort began with a realization that many in the region were disconnected from their own past.

“The Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition began its work five years ago,” Davies said in an interview with The BayNet. “It started as a result of community conversations on race held by the Big Conversation Partners, where it was apparent that our local population did not know its own history.”

That realization sparked a collaborative effort among dozens of organizations.

“The result was 34 organizations working together to identify and elevate the history,” he said. “Black baseball in terms of the players, games, leagues and communities gathering is a great example of the culture.”

More Than A Game

At its core, Davies said, Black League baseball was never just about competition, it was about connection.

“Black baseball was played on Sunday afternoon after church,” he explained. “It was not only the teams gathering for the games, it was the communities gathering for the fellowship. It was a time besides church to be together — friendship and fellowship.”

Across Southern Maryland, as many as 20 teams once played, drawing crowds from tight-knit communities.

“It was those communities from which the players came and residents gathered for baseball, fellowship, good food and fun,” Davies said, noting that places like Oakville supported teams such as the Tigers for decades, from the 1950s through the 1990s.

Stories That Still Echo

The upcoming event aims to bring those moments back to life — not just through history, but through the voices of those who lived it.

“They will meet the players, hear their stories, see their memorabilia and appreciate this important aspect of Southern Maryland life,” Davies said. “We are expecting as many as 50 players joining us.”

Among the memories are small, human moments that reveal the spirit of the game.

As Davies recounted, one story involves longtime public address announcer Paul Yorkshire, who became a fixture at games.

“A little girl retrieved a ball and brought it to public announcer Paul Yorkshire to get her quarter, which he gave her,” Davies said. “Then she asked, ‘Why do you keep talking to everybody?’ And he answered ‘I’m on the air!’”

Other stories highlight the talent that emerged from local leagues, including players who reached professional levels. Davies talked about George Spriggs, who played locally before advancing to the Kansas City Monarchs and later appearing in Major League Baseball.

Preserving A Disappearing Past

Davies emphasized that preserving these stories is urgent, as physical reminders of this history continue to disappear.

“In many respects, the story of a people is best reflected through its culture,” he said. “Too often the evidence of past important aspects of culture are lost. Ballfields become upscale neighborhoods.”

Through the coalition’s work, organizations — including schools, libraries, museums and historical societies — are working to ensure those stories are not forgotten.

“By elevating and sharing the history, we ensure that it will be carried forward to future generations,” Davies said.

A Timely Conversation

Beyond preserving history, Davies said the event comes at a critical moment.

“This story is really important during this time when nationally there is an effort to suppress Black history,” he said.

For attendees, the goal is simple but meaningful.

“A much greater appreciation for what life was like for the local Black population,” Davies said.

Keeping The Story Going

The work doesn’t end with this event. The Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition plans to continue collecting and sharing stories through its website and ongoing programming.

“We will add what we hear and appreciate from this event to the website,” Davies said. “We want the community to use the website and share its important history.”

As Southern Maryland continues to grow, events like “Sundays Revisited” serve as a reminder that its history — rooted in resilience, culture and community — is still very much alive.

Event Details

“Sundays Revisited: A Conversation on Black League Baseball in Southern Maryland” will be held Sunday, April 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Dodge Performing Arts Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The event is free and open to the public.

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