Swinging Into History: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player

by Karen L. Swanson Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

Young readers will root for Toni “Tomboy” Stone, the first woman (and the first Black woman) to break into professional baseball-taking over Hank Aaron's roster spot-in this nonfiction picture book biography. Nothing could stop Toni “Tomboy” Stone from playing baseball-not even her parents. The only girl on a church team, she persevered as insults were hurled her way from the boy players. She caught the attention of former major leaguer Gabby Street, who gave her a chance at his summer baseball school. With Coach Street's training-and the cleats he gifted her-Toni managed to earn a spot in the minor leagues. Though teams were hesitant to sign a woman, she pitched the idea that fans would pay to see a woman play-and it worked! But Toni's persistence and optimism were not enough to win over the Jim Crow South crowds nor her male teammates. Coaches put her in the starting lineup and then benched her early, every game, no matter her results. But her talent got noticed and she was signed by the Indianapolis Clowns, becoming the first woman to break into the pros. “Toni arrives,” shouted newspaper headlines, and she delivered! In her first professional game she ripped a single and drove in two runs, and left the crowd chanting “TONI! TONI! TONI!”

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Marcenia 'Tomboy' Stone lived, loved, and breathed baseball...Her big break came when she was selected to replace Hank Aaron on the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro League—the first woman to play professional baseball. In an author’s note, baseball enthusiast Swanson expands on the racism and gender discrimination Stone faced. Stone’s words appear on banners across the bold, energetic illustrations by Freeman...as well as those from the press...all of which round out this upbeat tribute. A welcome addition to the annals of women’s sports." —Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

2024-05-04
In Depression-era America, Toni Stone, a young Black girl, grew up to become the first woman to play professional baseball.

Marcenia “Tomboy” Stone lived, loved, and breathed baseball. Her goal: to hear Negro League fans call out her name. Her parents wanted her to figure skate like other girls, which she did successfully, but “gliding solo was dull as ice.” When Stone’s family's priest offered her a spot on the church baseball team, she “ROCKETED line drives and KABOOMED homers.” She also weathered insults from boys; the coach refused to teach a girl. As an adult, she moved to California and changed her name to Toni. She eventually landed a minor league contract, but in the racist Jim Crow South, she entered the stadium through the “colored” door, and her teammates did not welcome her (“You ought to be home washing dishes”). Her big break came when she was selected to replace Hank Aaron on the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro League—the first woman to play professional baseball. In an author’s note, baseball enthusiast Swanson expands on the racism and gender discrimination Stone faced. Stone’s words appear on banners across the bold, energetic illustrations by Freeman (“I didn’t concern myself that there weren’t any women in the game”), as well as those from the press (“an accomplished player”), all of which round out this upbeat tribute.

A welcome addition to the annals of women’s sports. (Toni Stone’s baseball legacy, timeline, selected bibliography, archival photos, picture credits) (Picture-book biography. 7-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192098417
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/22/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years