Site Revisions Underway Some Features May Not Work
Poster for Only the Ball Was White

Only the Ball Was White (1980)

G ★ 9.0/10 30 min Documentary United States English
Director: Ken Solarz
Writer: Ken Solarz
Streaming: Not available
An Inspirational Documentary About the Forgotten Athletes of Baseball's Negro League

Description

Throughout the 1900's, before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1946, black baseball talent blossomed in the Negro Leagues. Baseball buffs still sing the praises of Josh Gibson who could be counted on to hit 70 homeruns in a season, and Satchel Paige who pitched over 100 no-hitters in his career. Only the Ball Was White pays tribute to the many topflight players from the Negro Leagues. Narrated by actor Paul Winfield, the program documents a bygone bittersweet era in baseball and the men who were denied stardom by the color line. Ballplayers throughout the country were interviewed for this program, all of them quick to tell tales of the life, the competition, and the camaraderie. These include: Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Buck Leonard, Jimmy Crutchfield, David Malarcher, Effa Manley, and Quincy Trouppe.

Top Cast

Paul Winfield
Paul Winfield Narrator
Effa Manley Self
Don Newcombe Self
Leroy 'Satchel' Paige Self
Buck Leonard Self
Jimmie Crutchfield Self
Roy Campanella Self
Sam Hairston Self

Powered by

TMDB
× Movie poster
Back to Film Diary Index