This podcast contains language that some listeners might find offensive.

I was born in Charleston, South Carolina. I am what you call a bignia. Bignia means you live here or your life.

Leroy Major grew up in the 1940s and 50s. He lived in downtown Charleston with his parents and two sisters,

but everyone on his street was pretty much like family.

You didn't know you were poor because if you had grits, everybody else in the neighborhood had grits.

The people in Leroy's neighborhood also shared something else.

A love of baseball and the black player starring in the Major Leeds.

I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan.

In the G. Jackie Robinson hit that ball, hit with zoom across the left field wall.

Going into the 1955 season, the Yankees and Red Sox had never featured a single black player.

The Dodgers were different. By that point, they could roll out a majority black lineup.

And in 55, it looked like they might finally win it all.

Here comes the relay. Jackie's slides he safe.

I mean, you want to be like Jackie. You want to be like Campanelli.

You want to be like Don Nukum.

John Rivers grew up in Charleston too.

It was an inspiration to see professional black players on the field.

And I actually romanticized the idea that I could go to the Major Leeds.

In the summer of 1955, it seemed like John and Leroy might be on their way.

We're in the Sussquehanna Valley.

And eight Little Leeds teams have arrived to place for the world's championship.

The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania was the pinnacle of youth sports.

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