Joe Relford becomes the first black player in the history of the Class-D league.

On July 19, 1952,  The visiting Fitzgerald club (Georgia State Class D League) sends up 12-year-old batboy Joe Reliford to bat as a pinch-hitter in the 8th inning of a game with Statesboro.

The black batboy, who thereby breaks the league’s color barrier, grounds out, but makes a fine catch in the outfield when he stays in the game. Umpire Ed Kubick, who approved the move, will be fired by the league the next day, and Relford will lose his job as batboy.
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