RiverDogs salute Negro League

CHARLESTON, SC The RiverDogs will again feature a Salute to the Negro Leagues Night when Charleston hosts the Lakewood BlueClaws in a South Atlantic League game at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Special events for the evening include a unique pregame ceremony, a Homestead Grays jersey giveaway and the RiverDogs and BlueClaws playing in throwback Negro League jerseys, all courtesy of South Carolina State University.

Fans will immediately be immersed into the festivities as the first 1,000 fans receive a throwback replica Homestead Grays jersey.

In attendance for the nights festivities will be three former Negro League players: Clifford Layton of the New York Black Yankees, Larry LeGrande of the Indianapolis Clowns and a catcher for Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige, and Robert William of the Birmingham Black Barons. Negro Leagues memorabilia will also be on sale.

The pregame ceremony includes the introduction of the 1955 Cannon Street All-Star team a 2007 inductee into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame which was an all-black team that made to the Little League World Series because of a boycott by the all-white leagues. The Cannon Street All-Stars were not allowed to play in Williamsport due to Little League rules that stated that one couldnt participate without winning a game on the field. All of the teams boycotted the city, state and regional tournaments, thus making the All-Stars champions. The RiverDogs Negro League Night is another opportunity to share their story.

Also part of the pregame ceremony will be the induction of Robert Morrison into the RiverDogs Humanitarian Hall of Fame, which is awarded for years of dedicated service to Charleston.

Not only was Morrison president of the YMCA when the Cannon Street All-Stars made history, but was also an integral member in Avery Institute initiating a high school football and basketball program.

Additionally, the local Charleston RBI Program and players will be recognized for their outstanding season.