Curveball · the Remarkable Story of Toni Stone the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League

Curveball is an eloquent and a necessary work. Toni Stone's life and this book are both wonders to behold."---Dayr Perry, columnist for FOXports.com and author of Reggie Jackson: The Life and Thunderous Career of Baseball's Mr. October"As the Negro Leagues have faded from living memory, the tales have grown taller and truth has, sadly, become a casualty. Curveball bucks that trend, providing an unflinching and unvarnished account of Toni Stone's life in baseball which ultimately does more to honor her legend and example than any amount of mythmaking."---Craig Calcaterra, NBCsports.com"Toni Stone is the dream all little girls dreamed when we ventured to the playground hoping the boys and other big kinds would let us play. But Toni didn't want to `play' she wanted to `win.' And that's a big difference. Martha Ackmann has done a wonderful job telling the story of Toni Stone, this remarkable woman. There are no tears, no quit, no despair in baseball. Stand tall, keep your eyes on the prize. SWING!"---Nikki Jiovanni, poet and author of Bicyles"Martha Ackmann manages to turn Toni Stone from a long-forgotten footnote in base-ball history into amultidimensional, flesh-and-bone figure. We need to know her story, and in Martha Ackmann's capable hands, we do. Form this time forward it will be impossible to overlook Stone or her heroic contribution to both the national pastime and the cause of women's rights."---Jlenn Stout, author of Young Woman, and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World editor of The Best American Sports Writing 2009"Curveball tells the remarkable story of Tom Stone, a trailblazer who broke gender barriers in the world of professional baseball. Her courageous journey and experiences are sure to be an inspiration to anyone seeking to make a way out of no way."---Donna Brazile; author of Cooking with Grease, syndicated columnist, and Democratie strategistFrom the time she was a girl growing up in the shadow of Lexington Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Toni Stone knew she wanted to play professional baseball. There was only one problem---every card was stacked against her. Curveball tells the inspiring story of baseball's "female Jackie Robinson," a woman whose ambition, courage, and raw talent propelled her from ragtag teams barnstorming across the Dakotas to playing in front of large crowds at Yankee Stadium. Toni Stone was the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League. After Robinson integrated the major leagues and other black players slowly began to follow, Stone seized an unprecedented opportunity to join the ranks of the pros. She replaced Hank Aaron as the star infielder for the Indianapolis Clowns and later signed with the legendary Kansas City Monarchs. Playing alongside some of the premier athletes of all time including Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Buck O'Neil, and Satchel Paige, Toni let her talent speak for itself. Curveball chronicles Toni Stone's remarkable career facing down not only fastballs, but jeers, sabotage, and Jim Crow America as well. Her story reveals how far passion, pride, and determination can take one person in pursuit of a dream.