Season 1 · Episode 5 — Inning Five: Shadow Ball
The story of the Negro Leagues in the 1930s. “Shadow Ball” refers to a common pre-game feature in which the players staged a mock game with an imaginary ball. Though unintended, the pantomime was an apt metaphor for the exclusion of blacks from major league play at that time.
Season 1 episodes
E1In New York City, in the 1840s, people need a diversion from the "railroad pace" at which they work and live. They find it in a game of que…
E2It is a decade of revolution. In China, in Central America. At Kitty Hawk. In Henry Ford's factory. And on America's baseball fields. In 18…
E3Examine the century's second decade, which was dominated by the Black Sox scandal. George Herman “Babe” Ruth makes his first major league a…
E4This episode concentrates on Babe Ruth, whose phenomenal performance thrilled the nation throughout the 1920s and rescued the game from the…
E5The story of the Negro Leagues in the 1930s. “Shadow Ball” refers to a common pre-game feature in which the players staged a mock game with…
E6This episode covers the 1940s and includes Joe DiMaggio's celebrated hitting streak, the awe-inspiring performance of Ted Williams and what…
E7Viewers are taken through the 1950s when New York City had three successful baseball teams and dominated the World Series. By the end of th…
E8The field is moved to the 1960s. This episode traces the emergence of television, the expansion to new cities and the building of anonymous…
E9The final episode looks at baseball from the 1970s to the present, including the establishment of the free agent system, the rise in player…