JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are hosting the sixth annual High School Heritage Classic Friday night at VyStar Ballpark.
The exhibition game, which celebrates the history the Negro League in Jacksonville, features local rivals Raines and Ribault high schools.
Both head coaches -- who are in their first years with their respective teams -- said they consider it an honor to play in the game.
“It recognizes this part of the baseball history,” Ribault Trojans coach Rodney Tisdale Sr., who played a few years in the Minor Leagues said. “My guys, when they hit the field, they are playing very hard. They also talk about their friends at Raines and the camaraderie that they have off the field. But it is a battle on the field. We talk about this rivalry.”
Tisdale used to watch the rivalry, now he’s coaching in it.
“Culturally, this game means a lot to me because I played,” Tisdale said. “If it wasn’t for some of the players before me, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to have played and pass down to the players of this generation, whether it be, brought or arranged. I think the opportunity is great.”
Raines Vikings coach Corey Rodall, who played baseball for the rival Trojans in high school, echoed those sentiments.
“First off, I want to give recognition to the Red Caps for getting it started for us,” Rodall said. “If it was not for them, we would not even be playing this game. Give them their respect and we will honor them every year by doing this game. It is big to us because if it weren’t for them, we would not be here today. They paved the way for us.”
The Jacksonville Red Caps were one of the original Negro League teams.
The Red Caps played their home games in Jacksonville from 1938 to 1942 at J.P. Small Municipal Stadium in the city’s historic Durkeeville neighborhood.
Several baseball legends saw action there including Satchel Paige, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
The Red Caps were made up of a group of local Black train porters who worked for the East Coast Railroad. They played baseball together when they were off duty.
They also wore red caps as a part of their uniforms at work and were called “Red Caps” during their workdays.
Rodall and Tisdale said it’s important to remember how the Red Caps and others laid the foundation for African American baseball players to thrive.
“Remember who started this for them,” Rodall said. “The Jackie Robinsons, the Willie Mayses. Those who paved the way for [current players] to be able to even play this game.”
“For me, growing up in Jacksonville, and being a part of this tradition is by far bringing the communities together,” Tisdale said. “It gives life learning lessons for those who don’t know much about how African-Americans contributed to the sport of baseball.”
As a tribute during Friday night’s game, players on both teams will wear customized Jacksonville Red Caps uniforms.
The first pitch is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to attend are $7 apiece.
The winner of the game will get to hoist the A. Philip Randolph Cup, which is named after the civil rights activist who moved to Jacksonville in 1891.
The street the stadium is on is named after Randolph.