Champions on the Bench: The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars Tapa dura - 2006

de Carole Boston Weatherford; Leonard Jenkins (Illustrator)

In 1955, the Cannon Street YMCA chartered the only African AmericanLittle League in South Carolina. That same year, sixty-one all-whiteteams pulled out of the South Carolina Little League State Tournamentso they would not have to play the Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars. Thisstory, inspired by the true events of that time, follows one young ballplayer,Cleveland, through that fateful season.

Cleveland dreams of playing baseball like his heroes Jackie Robinsonand Hank Aaron. He believes he will get that chance when he makesthe Cannon Street All-Star team. But things don't go as planned whenCleveland and his teammates find out they are not allowed to play in thetournament despite their talent and hard work duringthe season. Yet even in the face of such prejudice,the Cannon Street All-Stars find a way to make theirfamilies and coaches proud.