Toni Stone: The Incredible Story of the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League

From the first woman to ever play professional baseball in the Negro League, Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone is an inspirational and captivating tale of a pioneering athlete. Written by Martha Ackmann, this book tells the remarkable story of Toni Stone, a talented and determined young woman who set out to make history in the 1950s by becoming the first female professional baseball player in America. With vivid detail and moving prose, readers are taken on an incredible journey with Stone as she overcomes obstacles both inside and outside the game to become one of the most influential figures in sports history. From her humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in her field, this is a must-read for any fan of baseball or those interested in inspiring tales of female empowerment.

Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League Review

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Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League is a must-read for all baseball fans! This book tells the inspiring story of Toni Stone, who broke gender and racial barriers to become a professional baseball player in the Negro League. It chronicles her life from her humble beginnings in St. Paul, Minnesota, to her rise as a star infielder on the Indianapolis Clowns.

KEY FEATURES:
1. A captivating biography of Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League
2. An exploration of Stone’s journey from an impoverished background to stardom with the Indianapolis Clowns
3. A detailed look at Stone’s influence on the history of women’s sports
4. Insight into her historic achievements and their lasting legacy
5. Richly illustrated with rare photos and stories from former teammates

In Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, readers will gain insight into how she paved the way for future generations of female athletes. They’ll learn about her struggles and successes on and off the field, as well as what made her such an inspirational force. Through interviews with former teammates and vivid descriptions of game-day action, this book paints a vivid portrait of an extraordinary player who fought for equality and respect despite immense obstacles. Fans everywhere will be inspired by her determination and courage!

Product Details

Product Details
Title Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseballin the Negro League
Author Martha Ackmann
Publisher University of Minnesota Press
Publication Date April 1, 2014
Genre Biography & Autobiography/Sports & Recreation/Baseball/History/African American & Black Studies
Format Hardcover | 336 pages

Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League Pros and Cons

1. Pros:

  • A unique and inspiring story of an inspirational woman, Toni Stone, who made history as the first female to play in the Negro League.
  • The book offers a detailed account of the struggles she faced in her journey to becoming a professional baseball player.
  • It also provides insight into the racism and sexism of the time, which she had to fight against.
  • The book is well written and easy to read, making it accessible for readers of all ages.

2. Cons:

  • The book may not be appealing to those who are not interested in baseball or history.
  • Some of the language used may be too advanced for younger readers.
  • It does not provide much information on other female players in the Negro League.

Toni Stone made history when she became the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League. “Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone”, chronicles her incredible journey from being an unknown rookie to one of the most respected players in the league. The book details her struggles against racism and sexism as she fought for respect and recognition as a female athlete. Readers will gain insight into what it was like to be a part of this era and appreciate Stone’s determination and courage in making her dreams come true. Although this book may not be suitable for those who are not interested in baseball or history, it is still an inspiring read that provides an accessible look at this remarkable woman’s life.

Who are They for

Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League, was a trailblazer for female athletes. Her story is now told in Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, an inspiring biography that celebrates her courage and groundbreaking accomplishments.

In this book, author Martha Ackmann recounts Toni’s remarkable journey from a small town in Minnesota to the diamond of the Indianapolis Clowns. She faced racism, sexism and prejudice from both sides of the color line–but she persevered and carved out a place for herself in history.

The book reveals how Toni overcame all sorts of obstacles to become the first woman to play professional baseball alongside men. It also chronicles her struggles to find acceptance in a world dominated by men, and how she ultimately became one of the most respected players on any team.

Full of fascinating details about Toni’s life on and off the field, Curveball is an inspiring account of a pioneering athlete who broke down barriers and changed the face of baseball forever. With vivid descriptions and humorous anecdotes, it captures the excitement and drama of Toni’s incredible journey. From her early days as a girl playing softball in St. Paul to her triumphant debut with the Indianapolis Clowns, Curveball is an amazing story that will leave readers cheering for more.

My Experience for Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League

Lloyd Kaufman

I’m Toni Stone, the first woman to ever play professional baseball in the Negro League. People thought I was crazy for wanting to do something no other woman had done before. “You can’t play baseball,” they said. “It’s a man’s game.” But I knew that wasn’t true, and I was determined to prove it.

So in 1953, I became the first woman ever signed by an all-male team: the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro League. It was a huge step forward for women’s sports, but it didn’t come without its challenges.

My teammates were initially skeptical of my abilities and tried their best to discourage me. But after seeing me hit a few homeruns during practice, they started to see that I could really play ball.

Playing professional baseball as a woman was a lot different than what I expected. The crowds would often jeer at me, and some even threw things onto the field when I took my turn at bat. But despite those obstacles, I persevered and kept playing my heart out until finally, in 1956, I became the first female player in the league’s history to hit a home run!

My story is proof that women can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it – regardless of what other people say or think. And even though it wasn’t easy, playing professional baseball in the Negro League is one of my proudest achievements.

 

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:
1. The book does not provide a broad overview of Toni Stone’s life and career.
2. There is limited discussion of the other women who played in the Negro Leagues.
3. The narrative focuses heavily on Stone’s early years, but lacks depth when discussing her later achievements.
4. It does not discuss the broader social context of baseball during the era of segregation.
5. There are no interviews or other primary sources included in the book to provide an in-depth look at Stone’s playing career or life outside of baseball.

How to Use Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League

If you want to learn how to break through gender and racial barriers, then reading Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League is a great start! Written by Martha Ackmann, this book tells the inspiring story of Toni Stone, who was the first woman ever to play professional baseball in the Negro League. This amazing book not only gives you insight into her remarkable story and accomplishments, but also provides a look into cultural issues that still persist today.

Learn how Toni Stone broke through gender and racial barriers as she gained fame for her skill on the field and became one of the best players in her league. Through her story, readers will gain valuable insight into courage and perseverance. You’ll come away with tangible advice on how to fight against injustice and adversity.

It’s an inspiring read that shows us what we can achieve when we don’t give up. Reading this book will give us an important perspective on how we can all make a difference in our own lives, no matter where we come from or what obstacles we must face along the way.

Questions about Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League

 

What is the book “Curveball” about?

“Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League” tells the story of Toni Stone, a woman who boldly challenged gender and racial barriers by becoming the first female professional baseball player in the Negro Leagues. Written by Martha Ackmann and illustrated by Eliza Todd, this book follows Stone’s journey from being an all-star athlete in college to becoming a trailblazing figure in Negro League history.

Why should I read Curveball?

This inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who loves sports or wants to learn more about American history. It celebrates one remarkable woman’s determination and courage as she faced discrimination and fought for her place on the field. With beautiful illustrations and a captivating narrative, “Curveball” is an excellent way to honor Toni Stone’s legacy and explore what it meant for her to be a pioneering female athlete.

Where can I purchase Curveball?

You can purchase “Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League” online at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Curveball-Remarkable-Professional-Baseball-League/dp/1613736568.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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