10th Calvary (Buffalo Soldiers) vs Firthmen Newburgh Twilight League – Trophy Game Used Ball (1938)

The Buffalo Soldiers are remembered in history for their courage on the battlefield and their dedicated service to this country. What most people don’t know about the Buffalo Soldiers is that they also had an exemplary sports program. When the soldiers weren’t training or on military assignment, their favorite form of recreation was sports. The Buffalo Soldiers fielded competitive teams in baseball, basketball and football.

Buffalo Soldiers vs. Firthmen Newspaper Box Score

The collection presented in this museum gallery by the Center for Negro League Baseball Research is from the estates of Hewitt Teabout and John Marshall, both of whom serviced our country proudly in the 10^th Calvary (Buffalo Soldiers). Teabout served in West Point, New York during the 1930’s and John Marshall was stationed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona during the 1940’s.

The 10^th Calvary or Buffalo Soldiers as they are better known were stationed in West Point, New York during the 1930’s. The Buffalo Soldiers baseball team or Calvary team as they were referred to in the West Point area played in the Class B Newburgh Twilight League. 

This trophy game used baseball was inscribed by Hewitt Teabout after their Twilight League game with the Firthmen. This ball was one that was actually used during the game. The game was played on July 13, 1938 at Recreation Park. The Calvary team won the game with a 4-0 shutout. The ball is inscribed with the date, game highlights, starting team and names of all the other players, coach and manager. This was an important game for the Calvary team because they beat the league leading team and moved into second place in the league.

The following players were part of the 10^th Calvary – Buffalo Soldiers baseball during the 1938 season.

Benedict Mosley   Manager   Freddy Lynch   pitcher

James Brewer      pitcher           Johnny Proctor         third base

Butler                centerfield            Leon Tatum         center field

Richard Chambers             coach          Hewitt Teabout        shortstop

William C. Chaney             right field                Ray           outfield

Lee “Hooks’ Davis          first base             Freeman Wright                catcher

Lee Graves                 second base           Joe Taylor               first base

Charley Greene               right field              Lewis                 shortstop

Joseph Graham              left Field           

 Francis Griffin           centerfield

Boola Johnson.     centerfield