Toni Stone (1921-1996) was the first woman to play professional baseball in the Negro League. When Hank Aaron moved from the Negro League to the majors, Toni replaced him as the star in-fielder of the championship Indianapolis Clowns. She played with some of the all-time greats of the game: Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Buck O'Neil, and Satchel Paige.

Martha Ackmann is the author of Curveball: The Remarkable Story of Toni Stone the First Woman to Play Professional Baseball in the Negro League. Curveball chronicles Toni Stone's remarkable career facing down not only fastballs, but jeers, sabotage and Jim Crow America as well. Her story reveals how far passion, pride and determination can take one person in pursuit of a dream.

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