2014 Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference
The 2014 Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference was held August 14-16, 2014, at the Marriott Courtyard Downtown (333 E. Jefferson Avenue) in Detroit, Michigan. The conference was open to all baseball, history and sports fans of all ages.
Click here to download the conference information packet (PDF). The conference theme was “Turkey Stearnes and Black Baseball in Michigan”:
Black baseball has a long history in Michigan, especially centered in the Motor City. Among the original entrants to the Negro National League in 1920 was Tenny Blount’s Detroit Stars, managed by Pete Hill and anchored by Big Bill Gatewood on the mound. The Detroit Wolves and Motor City Giants also played in Mack Park and Hamtramck stadium. In addition to the well-known Turkey Stearnes, other star players included catcher Bruce Petway, the speedy Jimmie Lyons and the powerful Edgar Wesley.
The 17th annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference celebrated this rich baseball history with two days of research presentations and player/author panels, special presentations about local parks, including a historical marker dedication ceremony at Hamtramck Stadium, as well as a Tigers game against the Seattle Mariners.
Special guests included Mrs. Nettie Stearnes, the widow of Turkey Stearnes, her daughters, Rosilyn and Joyce, and their family. Former Negro League players in attendance included Walt Owens (1953-55); Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley (1945, ’48); Ernie “Cokey” Nimmons (1952); Pedro Sierra (1954-58); and Mrs. Minnie Forbes (Detroit Stars owner).
The conference featured an Authors’ Panel with Lisa Doris Alexander, Adrian Burgos Jr., Joel Nathan Rosen, Roberta J. Newman, and Donald Spivey. Presentations were made by Missy Booker, James Brunson III, Gary Gillette, Karl Lindholm, Lawrence Rushing, George Skornickel, Donald Spivey, Bryan Steverson, and Lizz Wilkinson.
Awards were presented to Louis A. Manley Jr. (Fay Vincent Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Award), Missy Reyes Tyer and Lisa Doris Alexander (John Coates Next Generation Award), Lucky Smith and Bryan Steverson (Tweeb Webb Lifetime Achievement Award), Joel Nathan Rosen and Roberta J. Newman (Robert Peterson Recognition Award). The trivia contest was won by Rod Nelson of Detroit, Michigan.
View photos from the 2014 Malloy Conference below, courtesy of John Wakelin, Courtney Smith, and James Brunson:
Essay Contest
SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee awarded two $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors in its sixth annual essay contest in 2013-14: Tiffany Bowman, a senior at Troy High School in California, and Abraham Griesbauer, a home-schooled senior from Troy, Missouri. More than 100 students from 35 states and countries participated in the essay contest. Click here to learn more about the winners. Students were asked to write a 1,000-word essay answering one of the following questions: “Who is Rube Foster and why is he significant to Negro League History?” or “Explain who Sam Lacy is and his significance to Black Baseball History.” Click here to download the PDF application to learn more about eligibility requirements, submission criteria and style guidelines. Questions can be directed to Leslie Heaphy (lheaphy@kent.edu), Stephanie Liscio (stephanieliscio@yahoo.com) or Mel May (mel.may@tri-c.edu).
Library Grants
SABR’s Negro Leagues Research Committee awarded two $1,000 library grants for 2013-14 to East Point Elementary School of El Paso, Texas, and the J. Garfield Jackson Academy of East Orange, New Jersey. Click here to learn more about the winners. School libraries from across the country are invited to submit grant proposals centering on educating students about black baseball and American history. Click here to download the PDF application to learn more about eligibility requirements, submission criteria and style guidelines. Questions can be directed to Leslie Heaphy (lheaphy@kent.edu), Mark Moore (mmoore@cpl.org), Tim Bottorff (tbottorf@mail.ucf.edu) or Stephen Cullis (scullis@rtnj.org.)
Art Contest
The winners of the fifth annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference Art Contest were Phillip Dewey, “Turkey Stearnes” (Professional category); Milbert O. Brown Jr., “Rainout” (Amateur category); and Tucker Richardson, “Jackie Robinson” (Youth category). Click here to view images of the winning artwork. Art from the winners and runners-up will be on display in a special area at the 2014 Malloy Conference in Detroit, Michigan. The winning entry in the professional and amateur categories will receive a $300 prize and a certificate. The winning entry in the youth category will receive $150 and a certificate. For more information on the Youth Art Contest, click here or contact Leslie Heaphy or Larry Lester.
