WELCOME TO THE LUMBERYARD

This website is dedicated to the reclamation, restoration, and preservation of Pacific Northwest African American baseball history (1844-1946). Our quarterly newsletter shares the seldom told stories of players, team owners, and boosters. Each person is an inductee to the Lumberyard, “Ring of Honor”.

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Pacific Northwest African American baseball history is distinct from the Negro Leagues. The greatest differences were no professional organizations and segregated public schools to scout, recruit, and develop talent. Instead, these young men played in amateur, bush league, and semi-pro circles for churches, businesses, military, and town teams. Many with the skill to play professionally but for various reasons often remained in regional segregated (and integrated) baseball.

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The first region we will examine is central Washington. In 2023, four articles on four individuals from Ellensburg, Yakima, and Roslyn will be featured. Most baseball games were not measured by box scores, and the story of one person can rarely be told without the whole community.

May readers enjoy these tales of tragedy and triumph on forgotten fields.