The 1934 Chatham Colored All-Stars: Barnstorming to Championships
This essay looks at the Chatham All-Stars, an all-black baseball team from Chatham, Ontario that won the Ontario Baseball Association championship in 1934. In particular, this essay shall investigate the practice of barnstorming, which was significant in showcasing teams like the All-Stars and increasing their revenues. The essay argues that barnstorming was important in the All-Stars success in the Ontario Baseball Association, and that barnstorming also secured financial opportunities for many of the All-Star players. In addition, barnstorming was important not only to entertain communities at this time, but also to tighten relationships amongst communities. Furthermore, this essay highlights the widespread racism that the All-Stars, and teams similar to the All-Stars, faced at this time. Ultimately, this essay discusses the importance of athletics in shaping Canadian society through taking into account race, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
The Chatham Coloured All-Stars can now be found online at:
http://cdigs.uwindsor.ca/BreakingColourBarrier/
The Great Lakes Journal of Undergraduate History
The Great Lakes Journal of Undergraduate History
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/gljuh/vol4/iss1/2