Only the Ball Was White

An Inspirational Documentary About the Forgotten Athletes of Baseball's Negro League

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.

Documentary

Only the Ball Was White

Similar Films

  • Too Good To Go Down
  • Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
  • Chulksmack
  • Down With People
  • Kenny
  • Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson
  • Passion Play: Russell Westbrook
  • Ultimate Jordan
  • Big-Time Soccer: The Remarkable Rise & Fall of the NASL
  • Andrés Iniesta: el héroe inesperado
  • Ultimate Gretzky
  • Gunnin' for That #1 Spot
  • Faster
  • Take Us Home
  • The Seat
  • Jay Cutler All Access
  • Progression
  • Reel Rock 12
  • Second Thoughts
  • Onde Nostre

NextFilm 2026