Chicago, Ill. — May 28, 2021– The Chicago American Giants will play their first ever Midwest Collegiate League game against the Joliet Generals at Lee Pfund Field in Wheaton, Ill. on Tuesday.

Darold Butler will enter his first season as a manager in the league with the American Giants, alongside the President of the organization and Chicago Cubs scout, Keronn Walker. One of the main messages to the team this year is to represent the name across their chest.

“[Keronn and I] are making sure that everyone knows the history behind the name and it will be a good teaching moment for the kids and everyone,” Butler said. “For the people who do not know us and know the meaning behind the name, it is going to make people reach out and research exactly why [the American Giants] were so important to baseball and the meaning.”

The American Giants were a Negro League Baseball team in Chicago from 1910-1956. Walker formed the current team, and it was announced earlier this year they would join the Midwest Collegiate League for the 2021 season.

The Chicago American Giants will have 32 players on their roster, most of them being freshman or COVID freshman, and several sophomores and juniors.. Kirkwood Community College has the most representatives on the team with four. 

 Butler has been very surprised and enthusiastic about his players during practice.

“There are a few [players] who stand out but I do not want to jinx them,” Butler said. “I am going to let their game speak for themselves early on. I am very excited to coach all of these guys.”

Butler will coach some players he worked with at the younger ages. He was the head coach of the Jackie Robinson baseball team that won the Little League World Series back in 2014, and three of them have joined him for this upcoming season.

Those players include DJ Butler (Simeon High School / Chicago, Ill.), Tre’ Hondras (Illinois State University / South Holland, Ill.) and Josh Houston (Kirkwood CC / Chicago, Ill.).

After their first game, they will travel to play the MCL Minutemen at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Ill. on June 2. The American Giants will play home games at Gouwens Park in South Holland, Ill., and their home opener is June 3 at 7:05 p.m. against the Minutemen.  The American Giants are patiently waiting for the first pitch next Tuesday, June 1 at Lee Pfund Field.