Chatham Giants: Chatham-Kent Sports Black History Month

The Chatham Giants played for the love of the game, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t a talented and winning baseball team.

During the early 1920’s, jobs were difficult and resources were limited, so many in Chatham-Kent’s black community played baseball for entertainment, and thus was born the Chatham Giants baseball team.

A predominantly black team, the Giants featured many Chatham-Kent athletes, but also attracted athletes from London, Woodstock, and Ingersoll.

In 1924, the Giants were one of the best team’s in baseball in Southwestern Ontario, winning 11 of 12 games they played in the South Western Ontario League.

Managed by Joseph “Hap” Parker, the team also consisted of local baseball players including Clarence “South Paw” Crosby, Casper “Cas” Parker, Roy Ward, Duncan Williams, Percy Parker, Herbert Crosby, Charles Terrell, and Herbert “Dummy” Wilson.

Although not much is written about the Chatham Giants, they are a shining example of the history of black athletes and sports in Chatham-Kent.

Continue to follow CKSN as we tell the story of other black athletes and team’s in Chatham-Kent to celebrate Black History Month. To read our other title=”Chatham-Kent Black History Month – Sports”>Black History Month stories click here.