N.L Conference

** PRESS RELEASE **

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Negro League player Don Porter to speak at inaugural Conference in Sacramento.

Sacramento, Calif., (Feb 4, 2012)- Morris Baseball League and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated, will host the inaugural Negro League Baseball Conference February 24 at the Sacramento State University Student Union.

Don Porter, former player for the Indianapolis Clowns in the 1950’s will share his experiences playing in the Negro League during a turbulent era. He will be joined in a panel discussion, consisting of various leaders in the baseball community about the lack of African American players in the Major Leagues today.

Professional Baseball scouts Jethroe MyIntyre and Howard Bowen will join Porter on the panel as well as local high school coaches Mark Coles and Lavelle Freeman. Morris Baseball League founder Dominic Morris said he is expecting a great turnout.

“The purpose of the event is to showcase the great heritage of African American baseball,” said Morris.“ We are excited for the opportunity to educate people about the history of the sport, especially during Black History Month.”

Morris League Co-founder Donte Morris will co-produce the event and hopes it will attract leaders such as mayor Kevin Johnson. “I really want a strong youth presence,” he said. “I want the youth to know about the history and sacrifices of the players in the Negro League.”

The event will be hosted in the student union center at Sacramento State inside the Redwood room on Friday February 24, 7:00pm-8:30pm. A Q&A session will take place at the conclusion of the event. The event is free for the public.

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The Morris brothers are members of he nation’s fifth largest, predominately African-American social service fraternity: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. The event is to be hosted in conjunction with their local

chapter at Sacramento State.

Morris League Baseball was founded in 2007 as Sacramento State’s first recreational baseball league. Since then the Morris League has had over 8 seasons spanning year round. The Morris brothers’ entrepreneurial efforts have

grown the league to fund construct teams from Davis to Vallejo Ca. Morris Baseball League has had over 500 players sign up to play

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Confirmed attendees are:

Don Porter- Former Negro League Player (Indianapolis Clowns, New York Black Yankees)

Jethroe McIntyre- First African American coach for the Montreal Expos, 25 year major league scout

Bob Oliver- Former MLB Player, father of Texas Rangers relief pitcher Darren Oliver

Marty Macneal- Renowned sports journalist, head editor of Marty's world sports blog

Mark Coles- Kennedy High School Head Coach

Lavel Freeman- Former 1st round draft pick, kennedy High School standout

Leon Lee- Former Chicago Cubs scout (Lee signed standout first baseman Hee Seop Choi). The first African American manager in  Japanese Baseball History (Nippon Professional Baseball- Hiromichi Ishige)

Greg Orr- New York Yankees advanced scout