Road to Rickwood Folgen

What does a comedian know about baseball? And what can America's oldest pro ballpark teach us about the Civil Rights movement?In the days leading up to the MLB game at Rickwood Field on June 20, Road to Rickwood host Roy Wood Jr. sat down with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe. They discussed growing up playing baseball in Birmingham, what it was like to interview former Negro Leaguers, and what he hopes this game can bring to his hometown.Listen to the conversation for a behind-the-scenes look at Road to Rickwood, from the "Sunday Story" on Up First.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Birmingham is about to host a Major League game at Rickwood Field as a tribute to the Negro Leagues. But that doesn't come without its challenges.On this episode, host Roy Wood Jr. goes back to Birmingham to explore some of the obstacles that prevent more Black youth from taking up America's pastime. He talks to MLB executives, managers, and a player about the importance of promoting this sport within Black communities. Roy also speaks with Birmginham's local baseball community - high school athletes, coaches, parents and the current mayor - to learn how to reignite Black participation in baseball in the city that was once known for carrying the careers of Black baseball legends.This episode was hosted by Roy Wood Jr. and written & produced by Ben Dickstein and Cody D. Short of AL.com, our partner for this episode.Our executive producer is Alana Schreiber and our senior producer is Ben Dickstein. Our producers are Jonah Buchanan and AL.com's Cody D Short. Mixing and sound design by Joaquin Cotler and story editing by Ryan Vasquez. Artwork by Xavier Murillo. Original music composition by Squeak E. Clean Studios. Voice tracking by Alt Mix Studio.Special thanks to Paul Maassen, The Friends of Rickwood Field, Birmingham Public Library archives, AL.com and WBHM.For more stories on Rickwood Field, check out AL.com.This podcast is produced by WWNO and WRKF. This episode is produced in partnership with AL.com. Distributed by The NPR network in association with Major League Baseball.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In 1964, the Birmingham Barons become Alabama's first integrated sports team. This is 17 years after Jackie Robinson integrated the Major Leagues. What took so long?Today, we hear how baseball helps desegregate America's most segregated city. Roy Wood Jr. takes us back to 1960s Birmingham, when nonviolent protests for racial equality are met with bombings by the Ku Klux Klan. We learn about the business owner who decides to bring baseball back to Birmingham after a two-year hiatus, this time in an integrated environment. And we hear from some of the players on the city's first integrated team about their experiences on field, in the community and on the buses traveling throughout the Deep South.This episode was written and produced by Alana Schreiber and hosted by Roy Wood Jr.Our executive producer is Alana Schreiber and our senior producer is Ben Dickstein. Our producers are Jonah Buchanan and AL.com's Cody D. Short. Mixing and sound design by Joaquin Cotler and story editing by Ryan Vasquez. Artwork by Xavier Murillo. Original music composition by Squeak E. Clean Studios. Voice tracking by Alt Mix Studio.Special thanks to Paul Maassen, The Friends of Rickwood Field, Birmingham Public Library archives, AL.com and WBHM.For more stories on Rickwood Field, check out https://www.al.com/rickwood-field/This podcast is produced by WWNO and WRKF. Distributed by the NPR network. Support from Major League Baseball, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Explore St. Louis.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy