Toni Stone Field, Griggs Street and Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Toni Stone Field
Location of Site:	Griggs Street and Marshall Avenue
City/locality- State/province	Saint Paul, Minnesota
State/province:	Minnesota
Historic Function:	Athletic fields
Current Function:	Athletic fields
Notes:	Part of Dunning Baseball Complex

Toni Stone was a pioneer in both softball and baseball - but most notably baseball in the 1940s and 1950s. Born Marcenia Lyle in 1921, Stone grew up in St. Paul's Rondo neighbourhood where she played informal baseball at Welcome Field with the boys and was nicknamed 'Tomboy'. Although discouraged by others from playing baseball, Stone was incredibly determined and stopped at nothing until she was noticed by Gabby Street – catcher for the Washington Senators and former catcher and manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. Street was so impressed with her natural talent that he admitted her to his St. Paul baseball-skills school. History was made in 1953 when Stone became the first woman to play on a big-league professional baseball team – the Negro American League's Indianapolis Clowns). Despite a brief professional baseball career, Stone was involved with baseball for over fifty years and is certainly the most prominent women to have played in the Negro Leagues.

Contents 1 Site History 2 Memories and stories 3 Badges 4 Photo Gallery 5 Related Links 6 Notes

Site History

Some of the accolades Stone has received over the years include being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990 in both the 'Women in Baseball' and 'Negro League Baseball' exhibits, as well as being inducted into the Women's Sports Foundation's International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Stone was honored by her hometown, St Paul, in 1990 when the city declared March 6 as Toni Stone Day.

The Toni Stone Stadium located in the Dunning Baseball Complex is next to Central High School and in close proximity to other sports fields including the James Griffin Stadium.

Memories and stories

Badges

This place is part of the Discover Black Minnesota: Saint Paul Tour

Photo Gallery

Related Links

Notes