Indianapolis Tickets

Jackie Robinson and the Integration of US Baseball

By Daniel Baxter

 {In 1945, when Jackie Robinson batted .387 for the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs,
he established himself as an excellent athlete. Two years later, when he stepped onto the
Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field, hed become a civil rights icon.|In 1945, when Jackie Robinson batted .387 for the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs,
he established himself as an excellent athlete. Two years later, when he stepped onto the
Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field, hed become a civil rights icon.}

{Jackie Robinson was the first African American major league ballplayer of his century.
Before Robinson accepted this courageous position, Americas national pastime had
been officially segregated for sixty years. Robinsons baseball experience exemplifies a
history of racial separation and integration in the United States.|Jackie Robinson was the first African American major league ballplayer of his century.
Before Robinson accepted this courageous position, Americas national pastime had
been officially segregated for sixty years. Robinsons baseball experience exemplifies a
history of racial separation and integration in the United States.}

{Americans had been playing baseball informally since at least the early 1800s. The sport
gained popularity over several decades, and by 1845 amateurs nationwide adopted a
standard set of rules. Unfortunately, mixed in with rules about batting and running were
the understood rules of Jim Crow culture. Even after the Civil War, people tended to
enforce segregation by skin color; and as sports participation reflected US society, black
men were often not welcomed onto white mens amateur teams. (Its interesting to note
that several were allowed to participate by identifying as white Latin Americans.)|Americans had been playing baseball informally since at least the early 1800s. The sport
gained popularity over several decades, and by 1845 amateurs nationwide adopted a
standard set of rules. Unfortunately, mixed in with rules about batting and running were
the understood rules of Jim Crow culture. Even after the Civil War, people tended to
enforce segregation by skin color; and as sports participation reflected US society, black
men were often not welcomed onto white mens amateur teams. (Its interesting to note
that several were allowed to participate by identifying as white Latin Americans.)}

{When Cincinnati formed the first professional team in 1869 -- the Red Stockings black
men were tacitly excluded. Some briefly played on less discriminatory professional teams
that formed in the 1870s. Moses Fleet Walker is known for playing in Toledo until a
prominent white player from Chicago protested his presence. Following the dispute, in
1887 the International League banned future contracts with black players. Over the next
decade, most professional black players were limited to playing the exhibition circuit
and eventually, baseball leadership actually prohibited white players from wearing major
league uniforms during these exhibition games.|When Cincinnati formed the first professional team in 1869 -- the Red Stockings black
men were tacitly excluded. Some briefly played on less discriminatory professional teams
that formed in the 1870s. Moses Fleet Walker is known for playing in Toledo until a
prominent white player from Chicago protested his presence. Following the dispute, in
1887 the International League banned future contracts with black players. Over the next
decade, most professional black players were limited to playing the exhibition circuit
and eventually, baseball leadership actually prohibited white players from wearing major
league uniforms during these exhibition games.}

{African American players still had a few professional options. Many played in Cuba and
other parts of Latin America during the winter. Some formed their own US teams, such
as the St. Louis Black Stockings, and a viable alternative league, the Negro National
League, emerged by 1920. Jackie Robinson joined the Negro American League in 1945
when he signed with the Kansas City Monarchs.
|African American players still had a few professional options. Many played in Cuba and
other parts of Latin America during the winter. Some formed their own US teams, such
as the St. Louis Black Stockings, and a viable alternative league, the Negro National
League, emerged by 1920. Jackie Robinson joined the Negro American League in 1945
when he signed with the Kansas City Monarchs.}

{Racial attitudes were starting to change across America. The experiences of black and
white soldiers in World War II contributed to some people realizing that general
segregation ought to end. Regarding sports in particular, the Navys champion baseball
team, which was integrated, may have swayed some fans.|Racial attitudes were starting to change across America. The experiences of black and
white soldiers in World War II contributed to some people realizing that general
segregation ought to end. Regarding sports in particular, the Navys champion baseball
team, which was integrated, may have swayed some fans.}

{However, Robinson would still face intense discrimination. When the brave Branch
Rickey of the Dodgers assigned him to the Montreal Royals in 1946, some baseball fans
and even some teammates expressed bigotry. People hurled insults at Robinson, and
some players even insinuated that theyd change teams. Meanwhile, Robinson had
privately agreed to Rickeys stipulation that he not take the bait when harassed.|However, Robinson would still face intense discrimination. When the brave Branch
Rickey of the Dodgers assigned him to the Montreal Royals in 1946, some baseball fans
and even some teammates expressed bigotry. People hurled insults at Robinson, and
some players even insinuated that theyd change teams. Meanwhile, Robinson had
privately agreed to Rickeys stipulation that he not take the bait when harassed.}

{Fortunately, the Dodgers management supported Robinson and refused to retreat on the
decision to integrate. Motivated by both his conscience and financial calculations, Leo
Durocher reportedly declared:|Fortunately, the Dodgers management supported Robinson and refused to retreat on the
decision to integrate. Motivated by both his conscience and financial calculations, Leo
Durocher reportedly declared:}

{I don't care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has
stripes like a zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I
say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich.
And if any of you can't use the money, I'll see that you are
all traded.|I don't care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has
stripes like a zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I
say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich.
And if any of you can't use the money, I'll see that you are
all traded.}

{Robinson, baseball, and America overall are fortunate that Dodgers management
maintained its position. Even as Robinson experienced bigotry and harassment, he also
won many friends within baseball and became a beloved national hero. A Hollywood
gossip columnist even pronounced Jackie Robinson the second-most popular man of
1947 (right after Bing Crosby). Some believe that Robinson indirectly influenced
President Trumans 1948 decision to integrate the US Armed Forces.
|Robinson, baseball, and America overall are fortunate that Dodgers management
maintained its position. Even as Robinson experienced bigotry and harassment, he also
won many friends within baseball and became a beloved national hero. A Hollywood
gossip columnist even pronounced Jackie Robinson the second-most popular man of
1947 (right after Bing Crosby). Some believe that Robinson indirectly influenced
President Trumans 1948 decision to integrate the US Armed Forces.}

{With US society slowly changing and repealing Jim Crow laws, and with Robinsons
legacy of fantastic baseball statistics, more major league teams began integrating. The
Negro League teams eventually lost many star players, and by 1960 this vestige of
segregation had entirely folded. In 1987, about forty years after Robinsons major league
debut, major league baseball paid tribute by renaming the Rookie of the Year Award the
Jackie Robinson Award.|With US society slowly changing and repealing Jim Crow laws, and with Robinsons
legacy of fantastic baseball statistics, more major league teams began integrating. The
Negro League teams eventually lost many star players, and by 1960 this vestige of
segregation had entirely folded. In 1987, about forty years after Robinsons major league
debut, major league baseball paid tribute by renaming the Rookie of the Year Award the
Jackie Robinson Award.}

Daniel L. Baxter writes for Uniformhaven.com which offers cherokee scrubs and discount urbane scrubs as well as a lot of additional items.

How To Buy And Sell Sports Memorabilia

By Arnoldo Watson

 Anything that is worth collecting will differ in value because of many different factors. For instance, a Dallas cowboy's jersey may not be of any value whatsoever to a New York Yankees fan.

To maintain the value of many sports memorabilia, the items must have no imperfections whatsoever. No stains, no tears, no wear around the edges, no fading color, no chips, and no missing parts. On the flip side, there are items that are considered of greater value because they were used by the athlete. Avid fans will often go to great lengths to gain access to something an icon touched, wiped their sweat on, inserted their smelly feet into, or got grass stains on during a game.

Plenty of people who aren't sports fans often think the value placed on memorabilia is outrageous and silly. After all, the players are just people and the items are just stuff. However, any small town coach who has seen a player evolve into greatness will beg to differ. This coach will see a person with special talent who deserves a claim to fame and will honor any memorabilia connected to this person. Of course, there are also coaches who try to ride on the coattails who barely knew the person. Those type people will often try to grab some of the spotlight themselves in hopes of building their own worth.
Players make more than just themselves famous. They make items famous that they use on a daily basis, items they special order, companies associated with products they use (even if they don't personally endorse these items). Everything they use, touch, or buy for themselves becomes of interest to the public. Their camping equipment, lawn maintenance equipment, toothbrushes, socks, and so on, will now be of value to someone somewhere.

Zach Johnson won the 2007 Masters Tournament with Titleist golf balls, drivers, irons, and wedges. He wore shoes by Foot Joys, so this brings business to them as well. Now these products will be important to sports enthusiasts.

Of course, there is a downside. Collectors must beware of the dreaded forgeries and fakes. These can be devastating to those who saved their pennies for years and finally reach their goal of owning that special piece to their collection, only to find they'd been duped by some con artist. Fake memorabilia can be extremely profitable as they are hard to spot. A really good con artist can sometimes pass off something to even a seasoned collector as being an original. They have become professionals, perfecting the art, so to speak, of the scam.

An experienced collector can recognize the fake memorabilia upon close scrutiny most of the time. They research and educate themselves, becoming familiar with the signs. They learn how to find the value of an object before they spend their hard-earned money on it. They also learn the value of authentication and grading.

Remember as well that sports memorabilia value can change with the times and the importance to the public of the famous person it is associated with. Just because you had something appraised 10 years ago does not mean it will retain that same value today.

Looking for articles about health benefits of almonds and cat vomiting? Get tips from the Knowledge Bin website.

Looking At Different Kinds Of Pontoon Fishing Boats

By Arnoldo Watson

 When it comes to fishing on the lake or river the ideal platform is the pontoon boat. However, this doesn't mean that all pontoon boats will work for every situation. Before purchasing a pontoon boat you will need to carefully consider the different types of fishing pontoon boats available to you. Some things to consider when making your decision include how far you need to transport the boat, how you are getting your boat into the water and what type of water you are going to be using the boat in for fishing.
Typically there are four main types of pontoon boats to choose from. Each type of fishing pontoon boats come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Most pontoon boats have either a powder coated steel or aluminum frame. Many fishermen prefer the aluminum frame due to its weight. Consider each of the four types individually to determine which is right for you and your fishing needs.
The first type is the one-person pontoon boat. This type of fishing pontoon boat has nearly endless styles to choose from. Most have a weight capacity between 250 and 400 pounds depending on the amount of gear you are going to carry. If you plan to carry a lot of gear then you should stay away from the lower weight capacities. It is a good idea to get a pontoon boat with an optional motor mount. If you fish on a lake or river that requires you to carry the boat for a long distance then it is best to consider the aluminum frame which weighs between six to ten pounds under the weight of a steel frame. There is also the option of getting a standing platform for those who prefer casting from a standing position. This type of pontoon boat can be set up in under of fifteen minutes and they have the ability to float in less than five inches of water.
The second type is a two-person pontoon boat. These pontoon boats can be more difficult to put together due to their size and weight so it is best only to get this boat if you plan on having someone with you to help out when you use it. There are a number of options you can add to the two person pontoon boat including dual casting platforms, aluminum frames, front and back motor mounts and a number of storage compartments. The main disadvantages that come with the two person fishing pontoon boats are their size and weight which can make them difficult to carry for long distances.
The third type is the packable pontoon boat, which is best for those who want to walk a long distance with their boat. This type of pontoon boat has a lightweight feature that you don't get even on the single person pontoon boat. The weight is the only advantage of these boats while the lack of options is the biggest disadvantage to consider with this type of pontoon boat.
Finally there is the kick boat, which is basically an upgrade on the float tube. These will help to keep your legs warmer so it is nicer during the fall season. These are lightweight and packable. You can typically fit it within the trunk of a vehicle. However, they can be very tiring to use for a whole day out on the lake.
Your individual preferences as well as the conditions in which you fish will determine which of the above types is right for you. Just be sure to take the time and consider all options to make sure you get the right pontoon boat for your needs.

Find information about species of elephants and cat illnesses at the Knowledge Bin site.