Honoring Black Baseball History

Description

FredNats, Germanna, and Community Partners to Honor Black Baseball History with Special Uniform Reveal

Fredericksburg, VA – The Fredericksburg Nationals, in collaboration with the Fredericksburg Area Museum, Germanna Community College, and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group/Mead & Hunt, are proud to celebrate the legacy of Black baseball in the Fredericksburg region with a special event on Wednesday, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

This event expands on an ongoing historical research initiative launched when the FredNats arrived in the region in 2020. Attendees will hear from a distinguished panel of speakers, including local historians and community members with personal connections to the region’s Black baseball legacy. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator of African American History and Vice President of Programs and Interpretation at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, with historical context provided by Dr. Kerri Barile Tambs of Dovetail/Mead & Hunt.

A highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of newly designed FredNats uniforms, inspired by an all-Black baseball team that played in downtown Fredericksburg from 1919 through the late 1930s. The team, once described in the press as “the world’s most hoppinest team,” left a lasting mark on the local baseball scene. The FredNats will wear these tribute uniforms in select games throughout the upcoming season.

The event is free and open to the public, with refreshments provided.