Ben “Chico” Richardson  New Orleans Black Pelicans (1949-1951)

This uniform was worn by infielder Ben “Chico” Richardson when he played for the New Orleans Black Pelicans of the Negro Southern League from 1949-1951. The uniform consists of both the jersey and pants.

The Negro Southern League was considered the top “minor” League in Negro League baseball. The term "regional" league might be a better term to use, as the quality of play in the Negro Southern League was very competitive. The Negro Southern League started in the 1920’s and lasted into the mid 1950’s. Some of the notable teams that played in the Negro Southern League besides the New Orleans Black Pelicans were the Jacksonville Red Caps, Knoxville Grays, Mobile Black Bears, Monroe Monarchs, Montgomery Grey Sox, Nashville Cubs, Nashville Elite Giants and New Orleans Creoles.



Ben “Chico” Richardson was born and raised in south Louisiana. Chico started playing baseball with the Basin Giants and played with them from 1930 until he went into the service in 1943. Like many other ball players who were drafted into the service, he played a lot of baseball during his military service in California and Hawaii. When he got out of the service, he returned to New Orleans and started playing ball for Dr. Nuts Tigers. He played for the Tigers from 1946 to 1948. In 1949 he was signed by the New Orleans Black Pelicans of the Negro Southern League. Chico played with the Black Pelicans from 1949 to 1951. He closed out his baseball career with the Mc Comb White Sox (Mississippi) with whom he played from 1952-1957.