Black Baseball in Alabama: Rough Diamonds of Dixie -- Shane Earnest, Paperback

Welcome to the wild, true history of Black baseball in Alabama.

From the gritty fields of Birmingham and Montgomery to the national stage of Cooperstown, Black Baseball in Alabama uncovers the real-life drama, danger, and determination that built one of America's most important sports legacies. Author Shane Earnest explores how Black players, managers, and entrepreneurs navigated racism, segregation, and economic hardship. They transformed baseball into a thriving entertainment business alongside politicians, musicians, gamblers, gangsters, and bootleggers. These men and women took baseball from Alabama's cotton fields and coal mines all the way to Cooperstown. Whether you're a Negro Leagues historian, a Black sports history buff, or a fan of Alabama baseball heritage, this book is packed with powerful, rarely told stories that shaped the soul of American baseball, complete with many rare photos of a historic era in baseball.

Author: Shane J. Earnest
Publisher: History Press
Published: 01/27/2026
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781467170338

About the Author

Shane Earnest, creator of the award-winning Montgomery Baseball Blog, has built a reputation for revealing the hidden stories of Alabama baseball. Telling the tale of baseball in Alabama is his lifelong passion. For nearly two decades, he has covered a variety of baseball action, working as an on-field photographer and researching the origins of the game. A lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama, he has interviewed hundreds of current and former players, officials and front office executives dating back to the 1920s, including MLB All-Stars and Hall of Famers. Recognized as the leading source of Alabama baseball history on the web, Shane combines gonzo-style journalism and a love of local lore to cast new light on stories long buried. Shane Earnest works as a freelance photographer and musician, as well as lecturing on baseball history and writing his popular blog. He lives in Montgomery with his wife and a few happy cats.