Baseball Pioneer Sol White to be honored with historical marker

The Bellaire community will honor and celebrate native baseball pioneer Sol White with an Ohio Historical Marker dedication on Friday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. in Bellaire’s Union Square Park where baseball was often played during White’s youth immediately after the end of the Civil War.

King Solomon "Sol" White (June 12, 1868 – August 26, 1955) was a professional baseball infielder, manager, executive, and one of the pioneers of the Negro leagues. Born in Bellaire, White made a name for himself locally and regionally for his ability to play many positions. An active sportswriter for many years, he wrote the first definitive history of black baseball in 1907. White was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 at a ceremony in Cooperstown for his pioneering efforts as “an outstanding player and manager." He was also recognized for his literary contributions by writing the first history of early black baseball teams, players, and playing conditions. The History of Colored Base Ball, also known (on the title page) as Sol White's Official Base Ball Guide, became the first written history of Black baseball teams in America.

Below are some highlights of  Sol White’s life and importance in baseball history:

1868   Sol White was born in Bellaire Ohio

1884     Recruited to play baseball for the Bellaire Globes Baseball team at age 16

1887     Recruited to play baseball for the Wheeling Green Stockings Baseball team

1888     Color bar imposed by baseball owners on league play

White was no longer allowed to play for the integrated Wheeling Baseball team and was forced to play on all Negro teams. He went on to play for: the Keystone colored club of Pittsburgh, the York Colored Monarchs, the New York Gorhams, the Boston Monarchs, the Page Fence Giants of Michigan, and the Columbia Giants of Chicago.

1902   White organized and became captain (player and manager) of the Philadelphia Giants, one of the best Negro League teams, winning championships from 1904-1907.

1907   White wrote and published “Sol White’s History of Colored Base Ball.” In this work, he addresses “Colored Baseball as a Profession” and “The Color Line” from the perspective of the Negro ball player. The book became an irreplaceable time capsule of a critical yet nearly forgotten chapter in early baseball history.

1912  White retired from playing baseball

1924  White managed and coached the Cleveland Browns Negro Baseball team

1955   White passed away (but he lived long enough to see the signing of Jackie Robinson who broke the color bar in 1947)

2006  White was inducted posthumously into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

King Solomon White is a significant figure for Bellaire, Belmont County, and the state of Ohio, who was denied his rightful place in Major League Baseball, but in death deserves to be recognized by his hometown where his greatness was nurtured and first recognized.

The dedication, sponsored by the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society and the Ohio History Connection is open to the public. It will include guest appearances by Ann Ruege, Chief Development Officier of the Ohio History Connection, Karen Lucas of the Lucas Fund, Kent State University Baseball Historian Leslie Heaphy, and former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder and first baseman Al Oliver. The event will also include a reunion of Bellaire High School's first baseball team and coach James Martinek. A reception will be held after the dedication in the BHS cafeteria.