From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Hopkinsville Black Hoppers (baseball)
(start date: 1940 - end date: till at least 1945) The Hopkinsville Black Hoppers baseball team was formed in 1940 by 33-year old G. E. McCray, the owner, who lived at 1709 McKee Street in Hopkinsville, KY. Samuel Dorsey Collier was vice president and general manager. In July 1940, the team traveled to Tennessee and was defeated by the Gallatin colored baseball team, 12-4. Billy Wilis, the catcher, hit a home run. The team still existed in 1945 when they were scheduled to play the Evansville Black Sox.For more see "Black Hoppers want ball games," The Chicago Defender, 6/8/1940, p. 22; "Black Hoppers are beaten at Gallatin," Kentucky New Era, 7/29/1940, p. 4; "Black on Black," The Chicago Defender, 9/8/1945