Capping its successful multi-year collecting initiative, “Latinos and Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues,” the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will hold a special community collecting event at Cal State San Bernardino, home of the Latino Baseball History Project, on Saturday, Oct. 27. The all-day program, themed “Latinas on the Diamond,” has two goals: to record Latinx baseball and softball stories, as well as celebrate Latina players who, in the fight for gender equality, forged their own identities and support networks through the game. The event, which is held in partnership with the Smithsonian Latino Center and SITES, the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibition service, is free and open the public, and will take place in the CSUSB’s John M. Pfau Library, room PL-5005 (fifth floor). For a complimentary parking permit, visit the main Information Center Kiosk located on University Parkway. Memorabilia that enrich the narrative of Latinx baseball/softball history is welcomed.  The public is invited to bring vintage photographs, baseball/softball uniforms, gloves, bats, balls, baseball cards, programs, lineup cards, ticket stubs, autographs, newspaper stories, and more to this event for consideration by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to add to the national collections and possible future exhibition on Latinos and baseball. “We are delighted to once again partner with the Smithsonian Institution in a community-collecting event at CSUSB, where the Latinos and Baseball initiative first launched in February 2016, in great part because the Smithsonian recognized the significance of our research-focused Latino Baseball History Project – the largest repository of Mexican American baseball and softball memorabilia in the country,” said Cesar Caballero, dean of the John M. Pfau Library. “The remarkable artifacts and stories collected in collaboration with the Smithsonian have illuminated the rich landscape of Latinx baseball and softball history, helping to create a more inclusive chronicle of America’s favorite past time.” A summary of the program: 

  • 8-9 a.m. – Guest registration/continental breakfast
  • 9-9:45 a.m. – Opening remarks/overview of Smithsonian collaboration
  • 10-10:45 a.m. – Sandra Uribe: slide presentation and 15 minutes of Q& A
  • 11 a.m.-Noon – Panel: Marge Villa, Ernestina “Ernie” Navarro, Ramona Arranda and Mel Salazar.
  • Noon-1 p.m. – Luncheon and film by Jon Leonoundaki (“Shutout! The Battle American Women Wage to Play Baseball”)
  • 1-1:30 p.m. – Salazar family uniform donation to Smithsonian
  • 1:30-3 p.m. – Dr. Jose Alamillo discusses Jessica Mendoza; Patti Encinas Garcia discusses Estella Elias Acosta; Angelina “Jelly” Felix
  • 3-5 p.m. – Photo collecting, scanning and video event (Mariachis and refreshments during this time.)

 The Latino Baseball History Project Committee is composed of members from both the community and Cal State San Bernardino’s John M. Pfau Library. Members include: Cesar Caballero, dean, Pfau Library, Cal State San Bernardino; Caroline Sue Caballero, retiree, Pfau Library; Terry Cannon, executive director, The Baseball Reliquary Inc.; Richard Santillan, professor emeritus, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Tomas Benitez, artist, art consultant, and grant writer; Jill Vassilakos-Long, curator, Pfau Library; Cherstin Lyon, professor, history department, CSUSB; Mark Ocegueda, assistant professor, Sacramento State University; Robie Madrigal, communications and outreach, Pfau Library; Manny Veron, special collections assistant, Pfau Library; and Rebecca Beltran, assistant to the dean, Pfau Library. To register, visit the online LBHP registration web page or contact Rebecca Beltran at (909) 537-3108 or rbeltran@csusb.edu. For questions or more information, contact Robie Madrigal at (909) 537-5104 or rmadriga@csusb.edu. For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.