Rep. Jamie Flick sponsors Pennsylvania House resolution to recognize Negro Leagues Day
MAY 6, 2026 — SABR member Jamie Flick sponsored a resolution in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to commemorate Negro Leagues Day in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The resolution was approved on Monday, May 4 by an overwhelming majority in the House.
Pennsylvania House Resolution 481 recognizes the contributions African American baseball players have made to the game and acknowledges the significant impact the Negro Leagues had on the Civil Rights Movement nationwide.
“In 1865, one of the first Negro baseball clubs was formed in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Phythians,” Rep. Flick said. “For over a century and a half, Pennsylvania has been a shining example of how sports, specifically baseball, can be a place of inclusion. This resolution ensures that legacy is honored and the stories of these groundbreaking players continue to be shared.”
Flick, an avid baseball fan, belongs to the Williamsport chapter of SABR, which is named in part after George W. Stovey, one of the best Black pitchers of the 19th century. Stovey, who was born and lived in Williamsport, is widely recognized as one of the top left-handed pitchers of the era, but he was barred from playing in the major leagues because of the color of his skin.
Flick credited SABR members in the Williamsport, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia chapters, including Rock Hoffman and Frank Collins, for suggesting the idea of the resolution. He said he wants to ensure players like Stovey receive the recognition they were long denied.
“Baseball is America’s pastime, and I think it’s past time George Stovey and great players like him are recognized,” Flick said. “Without proper recognition, Stovey and so many players like him have been left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.”
Originally published: May 6, 2026. Last Updated: May 6, 2026.