Author Tom Dunkel explores baseball's first integrated team in new book, "Color Blind," 6:30 pm April 4

Author Tom Dunkel will discuss his new book, "Color Blind: The Forgotten Team That Broke Baseball's Color Line," at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, in the conference rooms.

Registration is required here. Tickets are free for National Press Club members and $5 for the general public. A book signing will follow the discussion. The author will only sign books purchased through the Club

The book describes how, in drought-stricken Bismarck, N.D., during the Great Depression, one of the most improbable teams in the history of baseball was assembled by one of the sport’s most unlikely champions. A decade before Jackie Robinson broke into the major leagues, car dealer Neil Churchill signed the best players he could find, regardless of race, and fielded an integrated squad that took on all comers in spectacular fashion.

Led by Satchel Paige, Moose Johnson and Double Duty Radcliffe, the team won the 1935 National Semipro Tournament in Wichita, Kan.

The event is a fundraiser for the National Press Club Journalism Institute.