Product Details

• Actors: Satchel Paige
• Format: Black & White, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Mpi Media Group
• VHS Release Date: January 26, 1994
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 6302900824
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,731 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

It seems elementary in the age of mega-league professional sports, many of which have been revolutionized by African American athletes, to point out that before Jackie Robinson major league baseball was lily white. The Negro Leagues were the crucible where African American players honed their skills. But it took over two decades, until Robert Peterson published Only the Ball Was White in 1972, to get a good glimpse at the stars and journeyman players of the Negro Leagues. It took even longer, until 1992, for Peterson's book, reprinted in a new edition, to garner its deserved critical acclaim. Well, Peterson's book cues up this documentary, which is narrated thoughtfully by Paul Winfield. Throughout Only the Ball, the footage of stars and Hall of Famers such as Buck Leonard, Roy Campanella, Jimmy Crutchfield, and the ever-fascinating Satchel Paige is excellent. Winfield and the players demonstrate abundantly that while the Negro Leagues were an implicit illustration of the absolute unfairness of segregation laws, they were also a vast demonstration that great, invaluable talent was being fostered in those circumstances. And it wasn't just a matter of "settling" for a second-class league. Players thrived, and fans loved the games. This is a delight for sports lovers, historians of the game, and anyone interested in U.S. cultural history. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a rare piece of negroe league and black history......, July 13, 2005

By 

Ronald Thomas (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Only The Ball Was White - History of the Black Baseball Leagues [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although this film is too short, that does not deminish it's importance nor its brilliance. This film is clearly the forerunner to the succeeding film, 'THERE WAS ALWAYS SUN SHINNING SOMEPLACE.", because many of the same players were interviewed for both films. I would venture to guess that the budget was too small to allow a longer film to have been made. This film is truly a fine historical document....