The Payne Avenue Little League Team
In the early 1950s, Knoxville’s first Black Little League team was established, marking an important step in expanding opportunities for young Black athletes in the city. The team initially played its games at the Payne Avenue Recreation Center, which no longer exists, before later moving to the Cal Johnson Recreation Center.
This team helped lay the foundation for future generations of players, contributing to Knoxville’s rich and evolving baseball legacy.
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This project is being supported in whole or in part by federal award number 21.027 awarded to the
City of Knoxville by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Arts & Culture Alliance.
Beck acknowledges the generous support of Knox County Tennessee Defined Services Program for ongoing support of this important work.
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Beck is proud to be grant recipients of the following organizations whose tremendous support makes it possible for us to make local Black history and culture accessible to all:
