Questions? See individual links for more details, Cooperstown Area, NY, 13326. Ask us how! Coach Tom Irwin also shared that they are currently in the planning process of actual events and spirit nights at local restaurants, such as Your Pie Pizza. . you'll know that the origin story of America's favorite pastime is actually much more complicated. "We look to have changes in their lives and we think sports benefits everyone. This is your Cooperstown family vacation, so we recommendyoustay where youre most comfortable no requirements. Tournaments. If you are a parent, please have your respective coach or team admin follow the prompts below. program has developed over the years to highlight the accomplishments of our alumni. 4850 . Cooperstown dreams park is proud to announce the results of its weekly baseball tournament. Since opening in 1996, Dreams Park has developed a format and events schedule second to none in the country: Beginning with our Opening Ceremony, you can feel the energy and excitement of the cultural exchange and life enrichment that Dreams Park offers. Get alerts to jobs like this, to your inbox. June 9 -June 15. Cooperstown All Star Village specializes in youth baseball tournaments bringing teammates, coaches, and families together through our Big-League Experiences. See our, (First installment and tournament week locked), Ticket to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 7 tournament Games (depending upon weather), The best time of my life with our team. Watch on All Star Village is the ultimate Cooperstown baseball experience! Orioles chairman John Angelos said emphatically this week the team will not leave Baltimore -- and Ripken is fine rooting for the Orioles from afar. ENJOY Players & coaches have full use of all Beaver Valley's amenities including the heated pool, fishing pond, paddle boat rental, basketball, tetherball, arcade, and junk food store. Perhaps the most famous youth baseball tournament, the Little League World Series, doesn't actually take place in Cooperstown. Construction crews and hundreds of other contractors committed themselves to the mission of Cooperstown Dreams Park. The historic village boasts a vibrant arts scene, excellent local food and beverage options, luxury accommodations, and, of course, more baseball than you can shake a bat at. Three meals per day provided at the Cooperstown Dreams Park dining facility. The Where Are They Now?" The Ripken Experience and All Star Village also pledged to grow inclusion efforts in baseball. The Greatest Youth Baseball Tournament in America - Voted Best Cooperstown Baseball World is the only premier, International tournament in the area that boasts. The Major League Field has 90' bases, 350' center, sunken dugouts, and bleachers. During their week-long stay, our campers are exposed to college life. Below you'll find two great options for fundraising so that your whole team can experience the country's best youth baseball tournament! If a team in unable to bring an umpire they will be charged a fee. If you are looking for baseball tournaments in Cooperstown, whether it's weeklong baseball tournaments or 12U, 13U, 14U or even 16U baseball tournaments, you've come to the right place! We are committed to maintaining the values and experience gained from playing the game, while making sure there's a whole lot of fun along the way. Matt Hafele is in his 20th season at Cooperstown Baseball World. xranks Home With lodging available to accommodate entire teams or families traveling to support their young baseball stars, Cooperstown is the perfect place to take a baseball vacation! For over 25 years, Cooperstown Dreams Park has continued to focus on traditional baseball principles and encourage a high level of play. It was happening slow. The players all tried out for the team before making it and play on (rec) Little League teams simultaneously, and sometimes they will even face their AB teammates in the rec league. Even with most of the fundraisers still in the planning stages, the players have already managed to raise $1,000 and are eager to go after the rest. Cooperstown All Star Village reserves the right at any time, to cancel a teams registration and refund all deposit(s). Tournament Dates 2023. program has developed over the years to highlight the accomplishments of our alumni. Two-week campers will attend the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (weather permitting). If you are looking for baseball tournaments in cooperstown, whether it's weeklong baseball tournaments or 12u, 13u, 14u or even 16u baseball tournaments, you've come to the right place! The Associated Press Cal Ripken and Cooperstown are connected again. Like any competitive travel sports team there is a high cost to the families. COST: $750. Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Operations 330 South Main Street Salisbury, NC 28144. -. 2023 Cooperstown Dreams Park. Starting this list with an amazing Youth Baseball league, Cooperstown Dreams Park is home to one of the most popular youth baseball tournaments in New York state. Experience quality youth baseball in a national invitational tournament. Cooperstown Backyard Baseball Classic tournaments are for the teams in search of alow stress,family-orientedweekend of baseball. This place can bring an umpire to his knees. | Cooperstown Golden Ticket, COOPERSTOWN DREAMS PARK of Economic Development; used with permission. Thank you for supporting us. Copyright 2018 Osprey Observer - All rights reserved, Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association 12U Team Swings Big For Cooperstown, The Hillsborough Literacy Council Offers Free Tutoring For Adults Who Want To Learn To Read And Write. Instead, it brings thousands of baseball fans to South Williamsport, PA in late summer. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. As a successful Tournament Director, you will lead all phases of tournament operations including game day operations, online streaming, and customer service at Cooperstown All Star Village in Oneonta, NY. How proud I was to be an American and umpire in Cooperstown at Dreams Park! program has developed over the years to highlight the accomplishments of our alumni. 13 & Under Cooperstown Backyard Baseball Classic. Sign up for a tournament for 10 & under up to 17 & under. I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/service mark of the NYS Dept. We are committed to maintaining the values and experience gained from playing the game, while . Someday our Little Majors will be able to bring their sons and daughters to Cooperstown to witness their glory days in the annals of youth baseball history. See our FAQ or reach out to [emailprotected] for help. All Rights Reserved. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Cooperstowngoldenticket.com Questions? Ripken is leaving ownership to the billionaires. Known as baseballs birthplace, but home to so much more, Cooperstown is a place where legends roam hallowed halls, swing away on diamonds, and take to the stage under a canopy of stars. Cooperstown All Star Village specializes in youth baseball tournaments bringing teammates, coaches, and families together through our Big-League Experiences. Each summer, the top collegiate players leave school and head right to Cooperstown for summer baseball leagues with their college peers from around the country. Weekly more than 100 teams from all over the country come together for pin trading, orientation, eating together, skills competitions, and the excitement of the seasonal tournament. June 30-July 2 & July 28-30. We will no longer be accepting paper team registrations moving forward. Some of their current plans consist of savings cards, hat drops at local grocery stores and a variety of raffles. 11 & Under Cooperstown Backyard Baseball Classic. Developing these young men both on and off the field is a priority for me, Irwin said. Upon induction, each Dreams Park participant receives the coveted American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame ring and ofcially becomes one of the Cooperstown Dreams Park Little Majors. Teams will be put into two pools, each team will play 6 pool games. Why don't we merge because we're very much alike.". Congratulations! Ripken's eponymous tournaments for youth baseball players have merged with Cooperstown All Star Village. The All-Star Village includes lighted junior size ball fields, batting cages with electronic pitching, an arcade and much more to accommodate 250 teams per season. Stay updated on sales, new items and more. The Cooperstown Dreams Park Umpire Program experience will expose you to 1,352 baseball communities and 16,000 youth participants from across the country. But I don't look at it in the same way as I looked at it 10 or 15 years ago. What's the Dodgers' plan at shortstop? With lodging available to accommodate entire teams or families traveling to support their young baseball stars, Cooperstown is the perfect place to take a baseball vacation! The foundation named for Ripken's late father was founded in part to deter juvenile delinquency and by paring vulnerable youth with law enforcement mentors from local communities. COST: $775. Come see what the rest of the world is talking about, become a part of history. Parents: For the ultimate experience, organize your stay with the helpful and updated information found in this section. 2023 Cooperstown Dreams Park. If you are looking for baseball tournaments in Cooperstown, whether it's weeklong baseball tournaments or 12U, 13U, 14U or even 16U baseball tournaments, you've come to the right place! Teams will be put into two pools, each team will play 6 pool games. Cooperstown Dreams Park, Home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. The All Star Village, based in Oneonta, New York, hosts more than 10,000 players ages 10 to 12 each summer. I think I could help in the right way. The best time of my life with our team. The boys had a great time and experience. Dreams Park's mission is to provide a life enriching experience for young boys and girls who love the game of baseball. Our curator and staff are collecting home run and no-hitter balls, uniforms, banners, hats, bats, and other important artifacts, each of which tells a small part of the story of Cooperstown Dreams Park. Max between 10-14teams for Boys Baseball. Coaches or Team Administrators are responsible for their teams Cooperstown baseball registration. Want to play at Historic Doubleday? Baseball Summer Camp: Cooperstown Dreams Park remains the only traditional baseball facility and tournament that embraces the historical values and high calibur of play expected in the birthplace of baseball. The mission of Cooperstown Youth Baseball and Softball is to provide the opportunity for our children to develop character, respect for others, respect for the game, experience life lessons, learn the game and to have fun. Click to register your team today and reserve your golden ticket. The tournament is occurring in early August, with 12 out the 13 players on the roster set to compete in the games. AB is short for advanced baseball, which functions as a hybrid of sorts between travel and recreation baseball. Ultimately, Dreams Park alums will be able to re-create memories of their youth and see themselves and their teammates immortalized on the walls of the virtual gallery. Max between 10-14 teams for Boys Baseball. Offers luxurious onsite accommodation for the whole family, plus a fitness center, spa, swimming pools, a general store, and a variety of activities. Over a hundred teams from all over the country travel to Cooperstown, NY on a weekly basis to compete for the championship spot for that week. Each year, the participants in Cooperstown Dreams Parks national invitational tournaments, regardless of outcome, are inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame in honor of their accomplishments. Six nights / seven days lodging in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Village. Serve as Tournament Director for the majority of tournaments throughout the summer season, Supervise/evaluate the Baseball Operations staff and assist them with their responsibilities, Must have a working knowledge and uphold all baseball rules and regulations pertaining to Cooperstown All Star Village, Assist with the overall operation at Cooperstown All Star Village, which includes a variety of pre, during, and post tournament operational elements to ensure a high-quality experience for the players, coaches, and parents from each team, Handle and manage all game rulings and tournament logistics throughout the event, Build relationships with parents, coaches, staff, vendors, and partners handling any customer services issues with professionalism, Communicate any issues, updates, and logistics to other operation staff members, Assist with game scheduling for each tournament and during the tournament when weather situations occur, Always convey and maintain a high level of professionalism while providing extraordinary external and internal customer service, Absorb training and demonstrate the initiative, desire, and drive to help uphold the values established by Cooperstown All Star Village and brand, working with staff to achieve objectives effectively and efficiently while providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for participants, Willingness and ability to work long hours, weekends, and some holidays based on business needs, 1-2 years experience working in a sports related industry, Strong written and oral communication skills, Demonstrate detail-orientation and extremely well-developed time management and organizational skills, Prior work experience in customer service environment, An outgoing/friendly personality with excellent communication skills, strong initiative, and high-energy, Work schedule will vary; nights and weekends will be required based on business needs, Regular lifting of heavy items of 20 pounds or more. BIG LEAGUE ACCOMMODATIONS Last season the. . Oneonta Little League. Championship 2011 N.A.T.C. Cooperstown All Star Village is a state-of-the-art sports complex located in Oneonta, NY. It provides the opportunity for players ages 12 and under to spend a week playing against other teams from all over the United States. Stay updated on sales, new items and more. Coaching this team and preparing them to be competitive is a challenge I welcome. Home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. The Dreams Park Experience promotes a healthy spirit of competition, while at the same time instilling traditional values and respect for the integrity of the game. All future team registrations must be completed through our online registration system below. We look forward to being the highlight of your summer schedule! A Pennsylvania little league baseball team finds itself disappointed after the Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Tournament in New York implemented a requirement that players 12 years old and older . "By accelerating the growth of our youth baseball platform, we plan to not only enhance the quality and experience of Ripken Baseball and Cooperstown All Star Village, but also to expand its reach to bring Big League Experiences to significantly more young athletes, especially those who may have otherwise not had access," Blitzer said. Each summer, the top collegiate players leave school and head right to . ", Deal merges Ripken, Cooperstown youth baseball, The greatest lineups ever? Two Cooperstown Dreams Park pro-style umpire jerseys. Cooperstown Dreams Park Entrance4550 State HWY 28Milford, NY 13807, Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Operations330 South Main StreetSalisbury, NC 28144, Cooperstown Dreams ParkFacilities Administration/Shipping & Receiving4648 State HWY 28 Cooperstown, NY 13326. The staff was great and the fields were nice.. Experience Cooperstown Baseball At America's Only Youth Baseball Resort, Register today! Hundreds of kids and youth teams come together each summer for Cooperstown's baseball tournaments. 12U Softball Team Season Underway Read More News and Notes About Us Cooperstown Classic Clinic May 27, 2022 A National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum event during Hall of Fame Classic Weekend 12U Softball Team's 1st Game May 5, 2022 Championship Cooperstown Baseball World (Oneonta, NY): CBW's mission is to provide youth baseball players, ages 11 to 16, an opportunity to play in National, weeklong tournaments in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame area. Cooperstown Dreams Park Entrance4550 State HWY 28Milford, NY 13807, Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Operations330 South Main StreetSalisbury, NC 28144, Cooperstown Dreams ParkFacilities Administration/Shipping & Receiving4648 State HWY 28 Cooperstown, NY 13326, Cooperstown Dreams Park and the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Umpires Association invites you to participate in our Cooperstown Dreams Park Umpire Program. Cooperstown All Star Village (Oneonta, NY): This baseball resort features quality tournaments for players 12 and under. Each player and coach had the privilege of visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to observe the great relics of our national game. "We just want to help kids. Begin the Search for Lodging for your Baseball Tournament in Cooperstown, NY. "Our growth has really come along the last few years. The photo of each team will be commemorated as an element of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame online experience. The 1982 AL Rookie of the Year and 1983 AL MVP, Ripken spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles before retiring in 2001. Cooperstown Stay properties rentals time frames in the summer exactly align with the baseball schedule. COST: $775. We understand that a trip to Cooperstown All Star Village can be expensive. Kids love to have a true baseball experience in Cooperstown! while umpiring at your Cooperstown Dreams Park. They made new friends and enjoyed hanging out with everyone else. All Rights Reserved. The Camp week takes place only 2 weeks out of the year in July the week before the Baseball Hall of Fame's Induction Weekend and the week after. With both Major League and Little League fields, enrollment in this baseball camp is limited to 60 players, ages 8-17, allowing for personalized instruction and evaluation. The season is currently underway for the young players with a handful of upcoming games over the next few months, playing next on Sunday, March 5 and 26, and then the championship on Sunday, April 30. "We can maybe explore newer complexes in other parts of the country at a much faster rate than it was going," Ripken said in a phone interview. Play in the Greatest Tournament in America, against teams from all over the country, in Cooperstown, New York, the legendary home of baseball. The determination of Louis, the construction team, and the blind faith of those inaugural year coaches, players, staff, teams, umpires and families have opened the door for the youth of America to experience a baseball park unlike any other in the world. Cooperstown All Star Village is a state-of-the-art sports complex located in Oneonta, NY. Multiple weekly tournaments begin in June and continue through August. RT @DavisHobbs23: Great way to end the season with a tournament win in the @coopwoodbat 16U tournament. Click here for the 2023 Umpire Program Participation Form. July 7-9. Cooperstown All Star Village specializes in youth baseball tournaments bringing teammates, coaches, and families together through our Big-League Experiences. The students make lifelong friends, stay in shape, and become better baseball players. 10 & Under Cooperstown Backyard Baseball Classic. GET YOUR TEAM TO COOPERSTOWN. For the first time since 1950, shortly after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier, no U.S.-born Black players played in the 2022 World Series between Houston and Philadelphia. Click either of the Sign Up buttons to learn more and register for the upcoming Cooperstown baseball tournament seasons. 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado, Padres, Jays 'playing it safe' after Guerrero tweaks knee, Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting 'Saturday Night Live', Fantasy baseball rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets, PitchCom-tipping: Loud device leaks Twins calls, Eflin's first start after $40M deal impresses Rays, Rangers' Leclerc to miss WBC with neck injury, Rockies' Rodgers may need surgery, '23 at risk, Rojas to withdraw from WBC, stay with Dodgers, no U.S.-born Black players played in the 2022 World Series, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. . The long-held myth asserts that baseball was invented in Cooperstown, but if you've ever wondered 'what is the history of baseball anyway?' Cal Ripken and Cooperstown are connected again. Looking for the BEST ice cream hideouts in Otsego County? A: There are three (3) youth baseball tournament locations: Cooperstown Dreams Park Located 5 miles south of Main Street, Cooperstown All Star Village Located in Oneonta - half hour south of Cooperstown Baseball World Located in Oneonta - half hour south of Cooperstown Q: Do I need to bring sheets and towels? Additionally, failure to comply with CASV requirements, deadlines or policies may also cause cancellation of a teams registration or placement. Ripken called the program a sort of "outdoor classroom. The Bloomingdale AB Bandits are excited to play in the annual tournament this summer, with this being the last chance for the 12-year-olds on the team to hit it out of the park in Cooperstown. 2023 Tournament Schedule . As the competition builds, all twenty-two fields come to life with home runs, diving catches and heroic saves. The rec games are played on Saturday, while the AB games are played on Sunday. This group of kids have practiced and played together since December 2022 under Irwin and are starting to hit their stride. Located on the outskirts of baseball country in Cooperstown, NY, CBW is designed to attract youth travel teams from throughout the world while at the same time including their families for the ultimate in baseball, family experience. Ripken Baseball, which includes vice president and former big leaguer Bill Ripken, Cal Jr.'s brother, also brings its youth sports experience to satellite locations through Ripken Select Tournaments. About Cooperstown Dreams Park. reserved. You may view teams and stats by year. Bob Lasecki: (216) 849-3110 Don O'Keefe: (573) 517-2921. He set a record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. This website is powered by SportsEngine's. The Ripken Experience operates in Maryland, South Carolina and Tennessee and plans to open a location in 2023 in Kentucky. What a gorgeous setting, the fields and the mountains in the background, and the summer splendor of the cool New York countryside. COOPERSTOWN EXPERIENCE. . Cooperstown Baseball Tournament Experience Home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational Tournaments Since our beginning in 1996, Cooperstown Dreams Park has done much more then host baseball tournaments. ", While the Ripken Experience serves more as host sites for existing tournament teams, Ripken said the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation was designed to assist at-risk youth programs in underserved areas. The visionary philanthropist Stephen C. Clark, in an effort to celebrate and protect America's pastime, as well as create an economic engine for the small village of Cooperstown, supported the establishment of a National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, which opened in 1939. July 7-9 & July 28-30. "We do tournaments very well," Cal Ripken said. I started two games in the weekend, Your Cooperstown Golden Ticket helps reserve your spot for future seasons. BASEBALL MECCA Located on the outskirts of baseball country in Cooperstown, NY, CBW has attracted teams from throughout the United States, as well as from around the world! The Dreams Park team is available to answer any questions about registration and planning your visit. Turning a dream into reality: Construction began in the spring of 1996 amidst some of the heaviest rainfall in Otsego County's history. We thank those teams who continue to return year after year, with their grandfather certificate, also known as their Golden Ticket. We are committed to maintaining the values and experience gained from playing the game, while making sure there's a whole lot of fun along the way. . We'll simplify your search. Cooperstown, NY, home of the prestigious American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational Tournaments. 2023 Cooperstown Dreams Park. The Cooperstown Golden Ticket program has been supported by a great number of teams and communities who attend each year, that continue to secure their grandfather certificate, hundereds of them exceeding 20 years. Cooperstown Baseball Registration | Get your spot now Payment Due Dates (Summer 2023): Registration $1,000 (Holds Reservation) November 1, 2022 $3,000 (First installment and tournament week locked) March 1, 2023 Final Balance Due All payments are non-refundable after Nov 1, 2022 Welcome to the Cooperstown Baseball World "National Youth Hall of Fame". Game locations vary, utilizing many of the area's local fields; The Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown Little League, Hartwick, Doubleday Field, Lauren's High School, Edmenston High School, Milford and the Oneonta Little League are just minutes from the Baseball Hall of Fame, where teams and families can enjoy a weekend of great baseball and fun for everyone. Call us at 607-547-6260. We strongly advise that youcheck businesswebsites or call ahead for the most up-to-date information on possible limited hours andwhether reservations are necessary or not. After the conclusion of the AB championship tournament, the players will continue practicing until their Cooperstown tournament. Your Cooperstown Golden Ticket helps reserve your spot for future seasons. $3,000 (First installment and tournament week locked). While that tournament is almost half a year away, there is a lot coming up for the Bandits to focus on as they wrap up their AB season. Cooperstown Dreams Park, Home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. Week-long tournament, teams will play a minimum of 7 games (weather permitting). Once again, the 12U AB team for Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association (BYSA) in Valrico is going to Cooperstown, New York. Cooperstown is synonymous with baseball, but there are hundreds of other reasons to plan an overnight visit to this small village. 138 were here. "I will never forget umpiring on the 4th of July as 'Old Glory' was waving in the breeze down the foul lines. I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/service mark of the NYS Dept. about Cooperstown/Oneonta area attractions and events! Thank you for the wonderful memories!". If you get some teams together, you can even rent the historic Doubleday Field! Teams inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame are listed in the tournament that they participated at Cooperstown Dreams Park, Cooperstown Dreams Park Entrance4550 State HWY 28Milford, NY 13807, Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Operations330 South Main StreetSalisbury, NC 28144, Cooperstown Dreams ParkFacilities Administration/Shipping & Receiving4648 State HWY 28 Cooperstown, NY 13326. Matt spent thirteen of those years working as an umpire for the various age groups, but has recently been promoted to Assistant Tournament Director, handling the 13u - 16u age divisions and the off campus fields. Induction into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame (AYBHOF). Hundreds of kids and youth teams come together each summer for Cooperstown's baseball tournaments. Check it out now! reserved. Playing in the prestigious American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational Tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your baseball community . The tournament runs 12-13 times througout the . You MUST include your PHONE NUMBER and FAX NUMBER when you e-mail Cooperstown Dreams Park. Through our partnership with the College at Oneonta, campers and their coaches reside in the college dormitories (with a staff of CBW Team Coordinators), dine in the college dining hall, and have access to some of the College at Oneonta's finest facilities, including an indoor pool, indoor basketball courts, fitness center for coaches, outdoor track and outdoor tennis courts. Cooperstown Dreams Park, Home of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. With a season that runs for 13 weeks, and with plenty of incredible 12u, this tournament might not always be the top pick when it comes to the highest level of competition. of Economic Development; used with permission. Come see what the rest of the world is talking about, become a part of history. Ripken's eponymous tournaments for youth baseball players have merged with Cooperstown All Star Village under a new. The Dreams Park team is available to answer any questions about registration and planning your visit. It is here you will have the opportunity to create a deeper appreciation of an umpire's role in the game both on and off the field. The next most important question is, "Where can I find ice cream near me?& Cooperstown & Otsego County is home to all things baseballbut its also a giant playground full of lakes and adventure-fill Take a photographic journey through rural Cooperstown & Otsego County area museums, COST: $795. The Where Are They Now?" "I think it would be fun. Copyright - 2023 Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism., All rights No Gavin Lux -- big problem. Your youth baseball team is coming to Cooperstown! Search. Fantasy baseball: Which prospects have fantasy value in 2023? The official online store of Cooperstown Dreams Park. That dipped from 7.6% the previous year and marked the lowest since study data was first collected in 1991, when 18% of MLB players were Black.