'I'm going to miss thinking about them' Windsor author publishes book on Chatham Coloured All-Stars
For the last six years, Heidi Jacobs has been researching and writing about the historic team from 1934.
“They were the first Black team to win an Ontario baseball amateur Association Championship in 1934,” but Jacobs says that’s only half the story. “They really made a difference not only in terms of sports in the region, but also life and opportunities for people of colour in this region.”
The idea to memorialize the team started as a website, at work, where Jacobs is a librarian for the University of Windsor.
”We honestly thought we could finish this up in six months. It's been six years, and I fell more and more in love with this team,” says Jacobs. “It's been a really long thing, but I'm going to miss thinking about them. They've really occupied a huge part of my mind.”
Jacobs couldn’t find a lot of published works about the team, but lots of old newspaper clippings and genealogical records to sift through.
“I didn't have any inkling (about) how amazing it would be and I just kept digging deeper and deeper and deeper and I got to a point where I realized this is a story that needs to go out there,” says Jacobs.
The Chatham All-Stars are shown in this photo (Source: Brock Greenhalgh)
Enter Dan Wells, owner of Biblioasis bookstore and publishing house.
“This book for me is personal in a way most of our other regional books haven't been,” he said.
Wells is originally from Chatham and a life-long baseball fan.
But more importantly, his grandfather was friends with some of the team members of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars.
“I knew about their connection to baseball, but at the time as a kid I didn't care, right? I mean, I didn't understand the Negro League because I didn't understand amateur baseball. It was MLB (Major League baseball) or bust,” said Wells. “I regret the fact that when I knew these men I didn't care enough.”
Together, they have published ‘1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year’ on sale now at Biblioasis 1520 Wyandotte Street East.
They are also planning a book launch for Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at the book store and Wednesday June 7 at 7 p.m. at Sons of Kent brewery in Chatham.
“There are these undiscovered incredible stories everywhere if we only know where to look and what she has done is she's uncovered this story that we all should know a lot more about,” says Wells.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.