The Roswell Historical Society Celebrates Black History Month
 This is the second of a four-part series highlighting the history of various aspects of the black community
in the City of Roswell.  Check back each week for a new story!

Josh Gibson Baseball League in Roswell
 
​Roswell was home to a team from the black baseball league, known as the Josh Gibson League. Josh Gibson was a Georgia-born, professional baseball player in the National Negro Baseball Leagues from 1930 to 1946. In 1972, Gibson became the second player from the black leagues elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
 
In 1958, three area men organized a league, named after Gibson. They were Alonzo Allen, Estee Strickland, and Charles Grogan.  Grogan, an avid baseball player in his younger years, served as the president of the Josh Gibson Baseball League that operated out of eight cities in Georgia. It was considered a semi-pro league.
 
The local team was named the Roswell Flames, later known as the Southern Flames. Scouts from the major league professional teams were known to come to the area, especially during tournaments, to scout players for their organizations. Games were held on the baseball field on Woodstock Road. Anyone was allowed to join the team. Players were in their teens and older. Fundraisers were held to pay for the players’ uniforms and equipment. Women of the community sold food at concession stands during the games to provide financial support for the team.
 
Everyone came to the park after church to watch the games, which were held on Sundays. Regular games were free, but tournament games required a paid ticket.
 
Each year the league voted for a Miss Baseball to be recognized at the tournament. In 1961, the tournament was held in Roswell.  Virginia Manning Patterson was named Miss Baseball in that year.
 
The local league disbanded in 1962.