When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

[hotdigitydog]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

and a white head coach.......Figured they might have one or two but that's not the case........

 

[Goat Grindin]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

and they've been decent (for Valley) at baseball too, since they got that coach.

 

[CEO2044]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

And Doug Shanks is a good coach- don't care where he's at and what his records are. They don't tell the whole tale for what little support he has there. He's been there over 10 years at least, more than that.<div>
</div><div>Son (Sim) played at OM.</div>

 

[Ice fishing and 40 ozs]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

I watched the Urban Classic, which hosts historically black colleges, last weekend. Southern was playing and I saw maybe two or three brothers on the team and not one starter. Ironically enough this preseason invitational is supposed to promote the game of baseball to inner city communities. I think it is a good idea but it just shows how far off baseball has declined in the urban settings.

 

[RocketDawg]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

being that baseball requires a fairly large field to play on, whereas basketball can be played almost anywhere. Most urban "courts" are just parking lots with a goal erected. I suppose they could always play in city parks, but that's not always possible.<div>
</div><div>When I was a kid, we lived in Meridian (not exactly an urban area, but wouldn't be considered suburban either) and there was a vacant lot owned by one of the neighbors. It was fairly big and a rectangle that wasn't very wide but was pretty deep. We had a basketball goal on one side, and we played all the sports with their respective seasons. We only had one baseball, and had to sew it up often, and if we hit it into the woods we'd look until we found it. Those who grow up in a truly urban atmosphere (pretty rare in Mississippi) just don't have the room, and perhaps even the desire, to play baseball.</div>

 

[Ice fishing and 40 ozs]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

I know guys like Rolling, Howard, CC, Uptons all do their part promoting the game. ITs just not as glamourous as making it too the Association or the League. I do wonder though why can't MLB create the academies in the inner cities like they do in Latin American countries. It may not be the same structure but it could have the same effect.

 

[Todd4State]

When did Valley integrate? Didn't realize they had so many caucasians playing baseball

which stands for reviving baseball in inner cities. It's not like the academies in Latin America, but it's something. Jackson has a RBI program- we're one of the few cities in America that have one that doesn't have a MLB team.

It's a little bit more difficult in America- you can't force people in inner cities to play baseball. It's just the way it is.