By: Andrew Dawson

Karen Swanson’s latest picture book brings to life the incredible story of Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues. Stone’s story is one of resilience, passion, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. Through this exclusive interview, Swanson shares the inspiration behind the book, her research process, and her hopes for how Stone’s story will resonate with young readers today.

Inspiration Strikes in Manhattan

The inspiration for Swanson’s picture book came from an unexpected encounter during a walk through Manhattan in June 2019. “A billboard for a new play, Toni Stone, stopped me mid-stride,” Swanson recalls. The image on the billboard featured a determined woman holding a baseball, not a softball. This was significant for Swanson, who grew up playing softball since girls were not allowed to play baseball. Seeing Toni Stone’s story sparked a deep curiosity.

Swanson immediately bought tickets to the play, and as she watched, the idea for the book took shape. “Using the light from my watch, I took notes about Toni’s grit, determination, and all the obstacles she overcame,” she shares. The play was both Swanson’s introduction to Toni Stone and the start of her research journey, ultimately leading to the creation of a story she felt children needed to hear.

The Determination of Toni Stone

At the heart of Toni Stone’s story are two powerful themes that Swanson felt were essential to convey to young readers: talent and determination. Toni’s dream of playing baseball professionally was not supported by anyone—not her parents, not her teammates, and certainly not her opponents, who didn’t want to be beaten by a girl. “Every single day, she fought to play,” Swanson says.

Toni Stone’s undeniable talent allowed her to play alongside and against some of baseball’s greatest players, including Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, and Hank Aaron. Despite the odds, Toni made her mark. In her first professional game, she hit a single and drove in two runs, eventually achieving a solid batting average of .243 that season despite playing only a few innings per game.

“Toni told her niece, ‘Worked hard for my dream, gave up a lot, but my dream came true: playing baseball with the big boys,’” Swanson adds. This sense of fulfillment, of finally being seen and recognized for her achievements, is a significant part of Toni’s legacy that Swanson hopes will inspire readers, especially young girls who might feel invisible in their own pursuits.

Researching Toni Stone’s Legacy

Swanson’s research journey was as intricate as the life she was chronicling. After watching Lydia R. Diamond’s play, she dove deeper into the life of Toni Stone by reading Martha Ackmann’s Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone, the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League. From there, Swanson consulted with experts at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and even conducted interviews with Toni’s niece, Maria Bartlow.

One of Swanson’s favorite discoveries was about the mitt Toni used throughout her entire career. “She bought it as a kid at a St. Paul Goodwill for twenty-five cents,” Swanson reveals. Toni’s parents wouldn’t pay for anything that encouraged her to play baseball, so she saved up for it herself. That mitt became her prized possession, and she never replaced it, even when a bus fire destroyed her teammates’ equipment.

Swanson also uncovered lesser-known facts, such as Toni’s experiences with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Despite her qualifications, the AAGPBL did not allow Black women to join. Toni applied but never received a response, a stark reminder of the racial barriers that persisted even in leagues for women. These complex historical contexts added layers to Swanson’s narrative, which she carefully condensed for her young audience.

Crafting a Story for Young Readers

One of Swanson’s biggest challenges was condensing Toni’s rich and complex life into a format that children could easily understand. “With a picture book, it’s key to keep it active and build tension,” Swanson explains. She credits her editor, Carolyn Yoder, with helping to transform the initial manuscript into a fast-paced story, moving certain facts into the author’s note to maintain the flow of the narrative.

For instance, Toni had to change her name and shave ten years off her age to get scouted by an American Legion team. While this was an important part of her story, it slowed down the action, so it was moved to the author’s note. These decisions helped ensure that the book remained accessible to its young audience while still conveying the full weight of Toni’s achievements.

Resilience and Determination for a New Generation

Ultimately, Swanson hopes that the themes of resilience and determination will resonate deeply with young readers. “Finding something you are passionate about and working at it is essential to becoming a happy, successful person,” she says. Toni Stone’s journey proves that even when others don’t support your dreams, hard work and determination can make those dreams come true.

Swanson believes that young readers, especially girls, will find inspiration in Toni’s story. “I hope young readers will look at what Toni accomplished and know they can fight to make their own dreams come true,” she says. With her picture book, Karen Swanson is ensuring that Toni Stone’s legacy of courage, perseverance, and talent will continue to inspire generations to come.

Through her meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Swanson has given young readers a window into the life of a true trailblazer—Toni Stone, a woman who changed the game both on and off the field.

Swinging Into History: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball’s First Woman Player is available on Amazon and Audible.

Published by: Holy Minoza