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The History of Black Baseball in San Diego

Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:45 AM to 12 PM
San Diego Central Public Library
Free

The History of Black Baseball in San Diego

Presentation by Bill Swank

The Negro League Baseball Museum’s exhibit “Breaking Barriers” is adjacent to the Baseball Research Center. Of the more than 50 panels included in the exhibit, two deal with San Diego’s Johnny Ritchey and his role in “breaking barriers.” The narrative in the Ritchey panels was written by Swank.

While Ritchey’s role was notable, the history of Black baseball in San Diego started at the turn of the last century. Swank has written about the subject in several books that cover baseball history in San Diego from the 1870s through to the current Padres. No one knows the subject better.

The program is sponsored by the San Diego Ted Williams Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

Admission is free, and open to non-members.

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San Diego Central Public Library

330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, California 92101
619-236-5800

San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, opened its doors to a new building, a 497,654 square feet on September 28, 2013. The New facility has over 400 computer devices, 22 study rooms, a charter high school, 3D printer (maker lab), auditorium, teen center, homework center, Veteran’s Resource Center, art gallery, rare book room, children’s library, café and much more. The San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common is the heart of the City of San Diego Public Library system, and a major cultural and recreational facility that provides a wide variety of services to San Diego residents and the 35-branch library system. The San Diego Public Library collection consists of • More than 5.3 million books, including e-books, and audio-visual materials • 3,138 periodical subscriptions • 1.6 million government documents; and • More than 265,295 books in 25 languages other than English

Dates and times of events are subject to change without notice. Always check the event organizer's website for the most updated schedule before attending.