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Satchel Paige play joins Black History Month lineup

Story about pitcher is part of ArtsWave Sampler weekend.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer 1:14 AM Sunday, February 5, 2012

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Community Arts Center will throw a curve ball for Black History Month, presenting a play about the famed African-American baseball pitcher Satchel Paige.

“The Satchel Paige Story” will play at 7 p.m. Feb. 11.

In addition to tying in with Black History Month, it’s also part of the programming for the annual ArtsWave Sampler weekend.

The show is a production by the ArtReach program of the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

“We are very interested in bringing it in during Black History Month — they do such great work,” said Heidi Schiller, the center’s manager.

Paige began his long career in the Negro Leagues in 1926.

He played for more than 30 teams in the Negro Leagues, before finally joining the Major League in 1948, and remains the oldest rookie in baseball history.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

“We have four actors. One plays Satchel Paige, and the other three play everybody else,” said Kelly Germain, the director of the show.

The show covers some of the controversy over the younger Jackie Robinson being able to go to the majors first.

But Paige supported Robinson and was able to carve out his own niche.

“His career lasted for 40 years, from the ’20s well into the ’60s. He was a character. They kept a rocking chair in the bullpen, where he liked to sit and rock,” Germain said.

This show is sponsored in part by ArtsWave, LCNB Bank of Fairfield, Edoc Marketing, and a grant from the Ohio Arts Council and is recommended for ages 9 and older.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5073 or eric.robinette@coxinc.com.

How to go

What: “The Satchel Paige Story”

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 11

Where: Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive

Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger

Information: Call (513) 867-5348 or visit fairfield- city.org/cac.

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