Only the Ball Was White

Only the Ball Was White (1980) is a documentary film directed by Ken Solarz rated 9.0/10.

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.

Cast

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

Quincy Trouppe

Self

Branch Rickey Jr

Self