By: Angela Good
Laura Freeman, the talented illustrator behind *Swinging into History*, brings to life the extraordinary story of Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues. In this interview, Freeman delves into her creative process, sharing her initial reaction to discovering Toni Stone’s remarkable yet underrecognized achievements. She explains how she tackled the challenge of illustrating a historical figure who may not be as widely known as other sports legends, all while maintaining historical accuracy and artistic expression. Through her vivid and well-researched illustrations, Freeman captures the determination and resilience of Toni Stone, honoring a pioneering figure in both sports and African American history.
What was your initial reaction when you learned about Toni Stone’s story and her remarkable achievements in baseball?
I had never heard of her – I was so surprised that there had been a woman who played professional baseball. In the Negro Leagues! I shouldn’t have been though, considering all the other people who are only now coming to light in African American history.
How did you approach the challenge of illustrating a historical figure like Toni Stone, who may not be as widely known as other baseball legends?
I always do research before starting and I was very lucky to find some good resources. I listened to interviews with Toni and watched documentaries about her. I read articles and newspaper clippings. I took screenshots of her talking on video and watched clips from a play about her. I wanted to see her in action in my mind’s eye and imagine her as a girl.
What was the most inspiring aspect of Toni Stone’s life that you wanted to capture in your illustrations?
How indomitable she was. She was not going to give up, no matter what – no one could stop her! Not her parents, not the boys in baseball school, not her coaches, or her teammates in the Negro Leagues. Toni knew what she wanted to do and she made sure she was going to do it! I LOVE that about her! There’s one scene where Gabby Street, the major league player who opened the summer baseball school in her town, kept sending her away when she showed up for practice at the boys-only, all-white baseball school. She just kept coming back until she wore him down! I show those moments with multiple images of Toni on her bike riding around the page and around the coach. I wanted to visually show her trying again and again and again until she made it.
How did you balance historical accuracy with artistic interpretation in your illustrations for this book?
I already mentioned the research I do and in this case, I also looked at a lot of old baseball cards. That’s what inspired the different flag and banner shapes for the floating quotes that are on just about every page. Using the shapes of the baseball and baseball diamond throughout was fun too!
Could you describe your creative process for bringing the 1950s baseball era to life, particularly within the context of the Negro Leagues?
I always start with research. I began by researching the era. I looked at old photos of the baseball fields Toni played in, images of the Negro Leagues, and watched interviews and documentaries about Toni. I also looked at old baseball cards and kids playing Little League. What did her bike look like? What would the fans have been wearing? I collect many, many photos for each page before I even begin sketching. By the time I start sketching, I have so many images and ideas in my head to play around with. It’s only then that I start designing and sketching the pages.
Swinging Into History: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball’s First Woman Player is available on Amazon and Audible.
Published by: Holy Minoza
