Negro League veteran to speak

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

W. James Cobbin, president/CEO of CCS Transportation, will speak about his experience with the Negro Baseball League tonight at 7 at the Tyler History Center, 325 West Federal Street.

Dobbin’s lecture is entitled “Leadership and Legacy: The Significance of Athletics and the Negro Baseball League.”

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society, in partnership with the Ebony Lifeline Sports Museum, is presenting the lecture. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Cobbin grew up in Youngstown and despite discrimination went on to pursue his passion of playing baseball.

After playing at Allen University and for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cobbin started his career with the Negro Baseball League by signing with the Black Yankees. He played for the Black Yankees and the Indianapolis Clowns from 1956-1958.

After serving in the Army, Cobbin went on to play in Europe.

The Ebony Lifeline Sports Museum features a collection of sports-related images, trophies and equipment that highlight the sports contributions of the African American and Latino communities in the Mahoning Valley.

Created by the Ebony Lifeline Support Group in 1996 as part of the celebration of Youngstown’s bicentennial, the collection emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship and positive role models in creating community pride.

The exhibit encompasses the diverse story of local sports, from high school football, basketball, track, baseball and volleyball to adult league sports including softball, bowling and golf,

The museum also pays tribute to individual sports like boxing and body-building.

The Ebony Lifeline Sports Museum will remain open at the Tyler History Center through April 30. For more information visit the website www.mahoninghistory.org or call 330-743-2589.