JD Crowe: Rickwood Field charity game features former MLB pros, special needs players and ghosts

Rickwood Field is a magical place. If you watched or attended the historic Major League Baseball tribute to the Negro Leagues game in June, you know what I'm saying. The oldest baseball stadium in America has its charms. And its ghosts.

That game became a cathedral for Willie Mays , arguably the game's greatest all-time all-around player. Rickwood was the Fairfield native's home ballpark when he played for the Birmingham Black Barons. Willie was hoping to attend the tribute game in person. But then he got a heavenly promotion. No. 24 Willie Mays hovered over that game in spirit. Big time.

I wasn't one of the lucky ones who attended the game in person, but I watched every minute of the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants on TV. From the joyous music of Jon Batiste, dancing among the Negro League veterans, to the lush green grass, groomed dirt and fabulous sunset to the heroics of an Alabama dude who won the game. It was all picture-perfect. Birmingham shined on this beautiful night.

The next magical game at Rickwood will be played tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 9th at Noon. The game will feature people with disabilities playing alongside former MLB pros, local personalities and one dorky cartoonist.

A few days after that Negro Leagues tribute game, I was sitting hunchbacked at the drawing board, pulling what's left of my hair out, sifting through ideas for a cartoon. But my mind kept drifting back to that game. Baseball. Rickwood Field.

Turns out, Rickwood is like Beetlejuice. If you say out loud (or in your mind), it magically appears.

That's when I got an email out of the blue from a fellow who invited me to play baseball. For a charity event. For people with disabilities — with people with disabilities. At Rickwood Field. That fellow was Taylor Duncan, founder of the Alternative Baseball Organization. He's a pretty amazing dude.

I'll let Taylor take it from here:

A Historic Day for Inclusive Baseball at America's Oldest Ballpark

!

"On Nov. 9th, 2024, Rickwood Field — America's Oldest Baseball Stadium — will add another remarkable chapter to its storied history. As part of Alternative Baseball's 2nd Annual Playing for Community Integration Tour, this hallowed ground will host a groundbreaking event that celebrates inclusivity, empowerment, and the timeless spirit of America's Pastime."

Professional baseball players participating: Tim Hudson, Anthony Lerew, Greg Norton, Johnny Estrada, Lance Cormier, Matt Kimbrel, Stephen Pryor, Roger McDowell, Kendall Graveman, Dexter Jordan and more.

Among the local personalities:

Leslie Claybrook (general manager of the Birmingham Squadron G-League team)

D.M. Collins (Center Point councilwoman)

J.D. Crowe ( AL.com cartoonist)

William Dahlberg (NPR Birmingham/WBHM-FM)

Mike Dubberly (FOX6 anchor)

Arthur Fisher, Jr. (Chelsea councilman)

John London (Irondale councilman)

Casey Middlebrooks (Hoover councilman)

Nick Sims (Homewood councilman)

Jeff Speegle (ABC 33/40 sports anchor)

Toro (Birmingham Bulls' mascot)

Big Ro Williams (radio host/musician)

Admission to the game is free with a donation.

It's an exhibition game for fun, encouragement and inclusion. It's all about love and love of the game. First pitch is at noon. The game lasts for 9 innings or 3 1/2 hours.

Go to the Alternative Baseball Organization for more information.

I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. I can't wait to step foot on the grass of Rickwood Field surrounded by ghosts of the game's most legendary joyful warriors. I can't wait to get in the batter's box with Satchel Page winding up on the mound. I can't wait to play catch with Hank Aaron and play pepper with Jackie Robinson and Ernie Banks. But most of all, I can't wait to hit fly balls to Willie Mays. I'll try to hit one way over his head so he can re-create "The Catch" he made in the '54 World Series.

Lordy, It's gonna be a fine day.

Y'all come on out.

True stories and stuff by JD Crowe

The mysterious 'Bubble Guy' of Fairhope and the art of bubble Zen - al.com

How I met Dr. Seuss

Robert Plant head-butted me. Thanks, David Coverdale

I was ZZ Top's drummer for a night and got kidnapped by groupies

Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe