Book excerpt: Celebrating Ourselves demonstrates how baseball is intricately woven in the fabric ofAfrican-American family, social and political life. Beyond the significant accomplishments on the diamond, well-recounted here, baseball knitted generations, taught perseverance, demonstrated economic independence and been a forum for civil rights and equality. From Moses FleetwoodWalker in 1884 to the founding of the Negro National League in 1920; from Jackie Robinson in 1947 to today's Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI); the game is connected with personal achievement, community advancement, economic independence and social equality. This book discusses baseball from three perspectives; from the player, the fan and the family.Alongside statistics and accomplishments on the field, we read of the perseverance and dedication of the African-American baseball fan.Much has been made of the decline in baseball's popularity among black Americans. When observers ask, 'Where is the African- American fan?' this book boldly responds, 'Right here '