Big Train Celebrates Women in Sports, Hosts Author of Abe Saperstein Book

Guests from Women in Sports Night by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - In the midst of a doubleheader sweep of the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, the Bethesda Big Train had a busy night away from the diamond. Two dozen Big Train fans got a treat between games, as author Matt Jacob spoke in the Davis Family Picnic Pavilion about his new book, Globetrotter: How Abe Saperstein Shook Up the World of Sports. In addition to being the organizer of the Harlem Globetrotters, Saperstein was a strong supporter of the Negro Leagues and an advocate for integrating Major League Baseball in the 1940s. Matt Jacob explained how his process started. 

“We did some digging and the more we learned about Abe Saperstein, the more we realized it was a story worth telling,” Jacob said. “It was a story people needed to hear about. He made such a tremendous mark on basketball and baseball.”

Chloe Bernardi was one of the Big Train’s Community Heroes on Wednesday. She is part of Rebuilding Together. The organization helps provide home repairs for people that are living in poverty. 

“We’re working hard to try to make sure we are helping everyone that needs assistance,” Bernardi said. “We’re trying to grow capacity to meet the needs of [Montgomery County].”

The other Community Hero was Shannon Babe-Thomas on behalf of Community Bridges. She explained the organization works with girls in grades fourth through 12th by providing resources to families and assisting students with their college applications.  

“I wanted to work somewhere where I am giving back to my local community,” Babe-Thomas said.

Michelle Melenwick represented the Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference, a league that is open for women who want to play baseball. Melenwick explained that baseball has helped bring her family closer together, so it means a lot that she can play the game that means so much to her family. 

“I got involved because of my son,” Melenwick said. “We play a lot of baseball together. Everything I know about baseball I learned from him.”

Jacob went back through his work and explained what stuck out to him the most. He emphasized that Saperstein was ahead of his time. He cited night baseball as an example along with more teams out on the west coast. Jacob pointed to a particular example where Saperstein was way ahead of the curve.  

“The really shocking thing to [us] was most people could not tell you who started the three-point shot in basketball,” Jacob said. “[Saperstein] started a professional league in the early 1960s, and that was the first professional league that had a three-point shot.”

Felicia Donelson plays for the D.C. Divas, Washington’s women’s tackle football team. Donelson explains why it was important for her to get involved with the franchise. 

“When a little boy says he wants to play football, nobody ever asks him why do you want to play football,” Donelson said. “[Women] love the game. Now that we have the opportunity to play, why not play? Women's sports have taken off.”

D.C. Divas by Mark Thalman

Donelson hopes that in the future there are more opportunities for women to get paid for participating in the sports they love and enjoy. 

Jessica Kauffan was at Shirley Povich Field on behalf of D.C. Girls Baseball. It is a non-profit organization in the DMV that has programs that give girls the opportunity to play baseball. The organization participates in all-girls tournaments across the country. 

“It’s been a phenomenal experience in terms of having [my daughter] play with other girls,” Kauffan said. “It does so much for her confidence and self-image.” 

Jacob explained what made Saperstein so special and what helped revolutionize the sports we love today. 

“Saperstein constantly thought about the product you are putting out [there],” Jacob said. “Abe Sperstein is proof that perseverance is such a critical ingredient in human success.”

Abe Saperstein book written by Mark and Matt Jacob

Jacob was very appreciative of the Big Train hosted him to promote his work. He understands that the Big Train is more than what happens on the field. 

“This club is managed in a way that I’d see it as more than just a baseball team,” Jacob said. “It really is a fun thing to be a part of.” 

The Big Train will go on the road to face the Olney Cropdusters today at 6:30 p.m. The team will return to Shirley Povich Field to host the Gaithersburg Giants on Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m.