ANALYSIS/OPINION:
As baseball celebrated the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, the stories emerged about the lack of participation of African-Americans in the game — now reportedly, at a little more than seven percent, the lowest ever seen in Major League Baseball since that historic 1947 season.
No one has to tell Jimmy Williams about the disappearing African-American presence in baseball. He’s watched it first hand, as a coach, mentor and one of the keepers of the flame of the game in the Washington area.
Williams has watched the decline over the years, as the baseball coach at the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, an instructor for several high school programs and an amateur baseball umpire.