'Beisbol' exhibit to open at Negro Leagues Museum

KANSAS CITY -- A new exhibit exploring the cultural and historical connection between the Negro Leagues and Latin American baseball is about to begin a 4 1/2-month run in Kansas City.

"Negro Leagues Beisbol" will open at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 1616 East 18th St., and continue through Sept. 30 in the museum's Changing Gallery during regular hours of operation.

The exhibit, presented by Sprint and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is free to the public.

It explores the relationship between American-born Negro Leaguers and players of Hispanic descent, who often played in each other's leagues.

"Baseball has bridged the gap between race and cultures unlike any other sport. Our new exhibit is an enlightening examination of a shared legacy that many baseball fans never knew existed," said museum president Bob Kendrick. "The Negro Leagues didn't care what color you were. All that mattered to them was 'can you play?' That mindset helped make baseball the global game it is today."

Kendrick said the exhibit will include rare memorabilia, never-displayed photos from museum archives, art collection "Painted Gloves" by Sean Kane, and Spanish newspaper clippings and cartoons from the scrapbook of legendary player Oscar Charleston.

There will be an autograph and discussion session from 1-3 p.m. CT on Saturday at the museum with former Negro Leaguers Enrique Maroto, Pedro Sierra, Hank Mason, George Altman, Carl Long, Ernie Johnson, Gil Carter, Ulysses Hollimon and Bob Motley. Autographs are free with a paid admission to the museum (limit one signed item per person).