Marcenia “Toni” Lyle Stone was born in 1921 in West Virginia. She grew up to be the first woman to play professional baseball full-time for the Indianapolis Clowns, in the previously all-male Negro Leagues.
The cast of Toni Stone photo by Michael Brosilow.
As a youngster, Stone loved baseball. Softball was just too slow for the skilled athlete. Stone was also reported to be good at football, basketball, track and swimming, which earned her the “tomboy” nickname. Through her teens Stone played baseball wherever she could, including on barnstorming teams.
The cast of Toni Stone photo by Michael Brosilow.
In the spring of 1946 Stone signed with the San Francisco Sea Lions of the West Coast Negro Baseball Association. Although she made history as the first woman in the Negro Leagues, it was a rough situation. She wasn’t welcomed by all, and the travel was hard. After discovering she was paid less than her male teammates, she moved to the New Orleans Creoles. She also played for the Indianapolis Clowns and Kansas City Monarchs before retiring after the 1954 season.
The cast of Toni Stone photo by Michael Brosilow.
Called “one of the best players you have never heard of,” Stone was included in two exhibits at the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. She is also in the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. Her latest tribute is Toni Stone, a fantastic production at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Kedren Spencer and Sekou Laidlow photo by Michael Brosilow.
This is a story of love, equality, history and baseball. Kedren Spencer is fantastic as Stone. She captures Stone’s spirit, passion and frustrations. Also, because of an athletic background, Spencer is completely believable as a baseball player.
Kedren Spencer photo by Michael Brosilow.
Toni Stone, by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, runs through Jan. 30 at Quadracci Powerhouse. Because of all Stone represents, the audience included men, women, all races and baseball fans, cheering and tearing at the performance. I hope the run gets extended or maybe even comes to Chicago. A lot of my baseball friends here would love Toni Stone.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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