James "Soldier Boy" Semler was an American sports executive who co-owned the
New York Black Yankees
The New York Black Yankees were a professional Negro league baseball team based in New York City; Paterson, New Jersey; and Rochester, New York. Beginning as the independent Harlem Stars, the team was renamed the New York Black Yankees in 1932 and ...
of the
Negro National League. For much of the club's history, he owned the team along with
Bill Robinson.
Career
Semler worked as a tailor in
Harlem.
When the Harlem Stars reorganized as the New York Black Yankees in 1932, Semler served as the club's inaugural secretary. In 1933, Semler, with the help of
Nat Strong
Nathaniel Calvin "Nat" Strong (January 4, 1874 – January 10, 1935) was an American sports executive who was an officer and owner in Negro league baseball.
In 1906 Strong became the Secretary for the National Association of Colored Baseball Clu ...
, secured control of the team after president M.E. Goodson and treasurer Oscar Barnes withdrew their financial interests.
He retained the role of secretary while also acting as team president.
In March 1935,
George Scales, who managed the club from 1932 to 1934, sued Semler, arguing that he had no right to be team's sole owner.
During the 1935 season, Semler expressed disinterest in the Black Yankees joining the
Negro National League,
though the club would ultimately join the league for 1936.
References
External links
New York Black Yankees at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Year of birth missing
Year of death missing
Negro league baseball executives
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