Photo provided
Historical Society of Mt. Pleasant members Tom Haynes, from left, Jean Fitzgerald and Nina Sutherland standing in front of the Moses Fleetwood Walker sign.
MOUNT PLEASANT — In celebration of the Historical Society of Mt. Pleasant’s 75th anniversary, the society is hosting a vintage baseball game at 2 p.m. Saturday commemorating Moses Fleetwood Walker, born in Mount Pleasant in 1856.
In 1883, Fleet Walker became the first African American to play professional baseball in the United States, playing for the Toledo Blue Stockings. But his success was short-lived. The following year, the American Association banned African American players.
The ban remained in place despite protests from fans and players for more than 60 years.
Two vintage baseball clubs, the Ohio Village Muffins and the Akron Black Stockings, will play using the rules of baseball circa 1865. The game will be played at the baseball field just south of the village. Signs will be posted in the village. Admission to the game is free.
Concessions will be available and provided by the Mounties Little League team.
The historic Quaker Meeting House, a short distance from the ballfield, will be open at noon prior to the game for those wanting a tour.
There will be a sign dedication at the field at 1:45 p.m. The sign, designed and donated by Don and Angela Feenerty, honors Moses Fleetwood Walker. The Palmer family, the only descendants of Fleet Walker, plan to be in attendance.
The game will begin at 2 p.m.
There will be limited seating available. A blanket or folding chairs are recommended.
Please note: The game is actually in Mt. Pleasant, not Dillonvale. Input 43939 as a ZIP code to get to Mt Pleasant. The ballfield is located on Route 104, south of the village.
Baseball fans are asked to visit the historical society on Facebook for an up-to-date schedule at Friends of Historic Mt. Pleasant, Ohio or call 800-752-2631.
