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It's hard to understand why this good-natured look at the old Negro Leagues didn't do better at the box office. The script is a fine mix of humor, pathos, and honest drama; the direction is brisk; and the photography and production design are first-rate. Tired of being abused by the owners of all-black teams, Williams organizes an independent team and is joined by other black stars. Their former employers conspire to put the renegades out of business, but they barnstorm around the country, successfully playing amateur white teams. In the climactic final game, the new squad is pitted against some all-stars from the black league. If Williams' team wins, it gets a spot in the league; but if it loses, the players must return to their former teams. Williams and Jones are very good in their roles as the star pitcher and catcher, and Pryor does a nice comic turn as the player who poses as a Cuban and then as an Indian in an attempt to overcome major league baseball's color barrier. Entertaining and well worth a look.