[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> ONIONS AND TOMATOES AND I ALSO DO FISH TACOS WITH IT WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

WHEN I HAVE COMPANY OVER, THEY NEVER ASK WHAT THE FISH IS UNTIL AFTER.

THEY SAY YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

>> IN 1922, RIGHT HERE IN FENWAY, LIZZIE MURPHY MADE HISTORY.

THE FIRST WOMAN TO EVER PLAY WITH MAJOR LEAGUERS.

>> IS THERE WISDOM IN THE TORAH THAT HELPS YOU GET THROUGH THIS.

-- THIS PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY?

>> THERE IS ALWAYS WISDOM IN THE TOUR THAT HELPS ME EVERYDAY GET THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> YOU HAVE FAITH.

>> YES.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> TONIGHT, WE BEGIN WITH A LOOK AT THE RAPIDLY CHANGING ECOSYSTEM IN OUR OWN NARAGANNSETT BAY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOWELL AND WHAT WE EAT.

>> OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, OUR TEAM HAS PARTNERED WITH ECORI NEWS TO INVESTIGATE THE STATE OF THE BAY.

WE HAVE ALSO TALKED TO THOSE FINDING NEW WAYS TO COPE WITH THE CHANGES.

MIKE STANTON HAS THIS REPORT, PART OF OUR CONTINUING GREEN SEEKER SERIES.

>> ONE SUMMER MORNING ON NARAGANNSETT BAY, JOHN H CHAFEE SETS OUT FROM JAMESTOWN.

WE ARE HEADING FOR A SPOT OFF SCARBOROUGH BEACH.

THE CREW SETS THEIR NETS FOR 100 FEET DOWN.

BUT THESE ARE NOT YOUR TYPICAL FISHERMEN.

>> I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE.

>> CHRIS PARKINS IS CHIEF BIOLOGIST FOR THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN SURVEYING THE AREAS FISH SINCE 1979.

>> THE LONGER YOU DO THE SAME THING, YOU WILL NOTICE TRENDS AND CHANGES OVER TIME.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE OUT DOING.

.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE CHANGES.

SPECIES DIVERSITY, THE SIZE OF THE SPECIES, WHEN THEY ARRIVE, WHEN THEY LEAVE.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THIS IS A BUTTER FISH.

ALL OF THESE LITTLE SILVER DOLLAR LOOKING THINGS.

THIS IS OUR LONG THIN SQUID.

WE PICK A BUCKET.

BUT THEM IN THAT BUCKET.

SAME THING WITH SQUID.

SEPARATE EVERYTHING BY SPECIES.

>> THAT SEPARATION HAS PROVIDED A WINDOW ON SOMETHING THAT LOOMS LARGE, CLIMATE CHANGE.

AN EARLY WARNING SIGN THE BAY WAS CHANGING CAME IN THE 1990'S WITH A POPULAR WINTER FLOUNDER WHEN INTO SHARP DECLINE.

TODAY THE SPIRIT HAS BECOME A POSTER CHILD OF SORTS FOR HOW WARMING WATERS AFFECT COLD WATER FISH.

>> WINTER FUNDER ARE INTERESTING BECAUSE THEIR LIFE HISTORY AS THEY COME INTO THE BAY IN THE WINTERTIME, HENCE THE NAME, WHEN MOST OF THE OTHER FISH LEAVE SO THEY HAVE THE BETA THEMSELVES.

WITH THE EXCESS FISHING AND CLIMATE CHANGE, THEY HAVE STRUGGLED TO RECOVER.

>> CLIMATE CHANGE PRODUCES WINNERS AND LOSERS.

THE WINNERS, WARMER WATER SPECIES WHICH ARE SWIMMING UP FROM THE SOUTH IN GREATER NUMBERS.

WHEN YOU SEE THE CHANGES WITH WARMING WATERS AND THE CLIMATE, WHAT WORRIES YOU?

>> IT IS THE RATE AT WHICH IT IS HAPPENING.

THE OCEAN IS NOTORIOUS FOR BEING ABLE TO ADAPT TO CHANGE THROUGH SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF EARTH.

WE CEASE BASES HAVE SURVIVED ASTEROIDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING AT SUCH A RAPID RATE IT IS PUSHING A LOT OF SPECIES OUT QUICKLY AND THE SPECIES TAKING THEIR PLACE ARE CHANGING THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

IN THE NORTHEASTERN U.S., IT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST WARMING AREAS ON THE GLOBE.

THERE IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

>> THE CHIEF OF THE MARINE FISHERIES CALLS NARAGANNSETT BAY AN ESSENTIAL NURSERY FOR SEA LIFE.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY PUBLISHED LAST WINTER IN THE JOURNAL CLIMATE, THE BAY ALSO LIES IN ONE OF THE FASTEST WARMING AREAS ON THE PLANET.

>> HOW DO WE AS A SOCIETY IN ECOSYSTEM ADAPT TO THE CHANGES?

IT HAS IS ASKING QUESTIONS FOR THE SPECIES THAT ARE MAYBE CLIMATE CHANGE LOSERS CALVIN HOW DO WE BUILD MANAGEMENT PLANS TO EITHER HELP REBUILD OR MAINTAIN POPULATIONS THAT HAVE DECLINED OVER TIME?

>> THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE ANY NARAGANNSETT BAY WHERE TEMPERATURES HAVE RISEN ALMOST THREE DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE LAST 60 YEARS.

>> THAT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE OF WHETHER A SPECIES IS ABLE TO THRIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT USED TO NOT BE ABLE TO OR A SPECIES NOT BEING ABLE TO SPAWN OR REPRODUCE OR SURVIVE IN AN AREA THEY ONCE WERE ABLE TO.

>> THE DAY WE WENT OUT, FISHERMEN SCOOPED UP A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

CRABS, BUTTER FISH.

THE RHODE ISLAND STATE APPETIZER, LONG THIN SQUID, A.K.A., CALAMARI.

THE BIGGEST CATCH IS A FISH SOME HAD NEVER HEARD OF.

>> THE TOTAL WEIGHT IS 11.4 723.

21.

>> ALSO KNOWN AS C BREAM, IT IS A FISH THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES.

ROGER WILLIAMS REFERRED TO IT ITS NARRAGANSETT NAME.

TODAY WHILE MORE PLENTIFUL THANKS TO WARMING WATERS, MANY RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE NEVER GIVEN IT A TRY.

>> I MADE POLKE BOWLS BUT IT ALSO MAKES A GOOD FISH TACO.

>> KATE IS A DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT CALLED EATING WITH THE ECOSYSTEM.

YOU SAY YOU CONNECT THE TWO FOOD SYSTEMS AND THE FISHERY ECOLOGY.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> FOOD SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE HAPPENS IN DIFFERENT SILOS.

THERE IS THE FISHERY SCIENCE THAT LOOKS AT THE POPULATIONS OF THEY ARE REPRODUCING AND THEN THERE IS THE FOOD SYSTEM SIDE.

LOOKING AT HOW TO FEED PEOPLE IN CREATING FOOD PLANS FOR THE DIFFERENT STATES.

A LOT OF TIMES THOSE ARE NOT LINKED UP.

>> RHODE ISLAND FISHERMEN CAUGHT MORE THAN 4 MILLION POUNDS OF SCUPPER LAST YEAR MAKING IT THE TOP CATCH AMONG FISH.

MOST ARE EXPORTED TO BIG CITIES LIKE NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA AND CHICAGO WITH LARGE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT FAVORITE.

IN RHODE ISLAND THE DEMAND IS LOW.

JOHN, THE SEAFORD BUYER FOR DAVE SUPERMARKETS, IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

>>>> IT SHOULD BE A STAPLE ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW ENGLAND NORTHEAST AREA AND IT IS NOT.

IT IS DEFINITELY UNDERUTILIZED.

>> ONE REASON FOR THAT HE SAYS IS MANY PEOPLE ARE INTIMIDATED BY HAVING TO COOK A WHOLE FISH BONES AND ALL.

>> YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT ELEMENT OUT OF IT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A FILET AND THE FEEDBACK IS USUALLY WONDERFUL.

ONCE PEOPLE TRY IT, IT COMES BACK AS A POSITIVE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A LOT STRONGER.

IT WAS MILD.

MY CHILDREN LIKED IT.

WE USED IN THIS DISH OR THAT -- AND IT BECOMES FAMILY-FRIENDLY, CHILDREN FRIENDLY.

I DO A BOILED WITH ONIONS AND TOMATOES AND I ALSO DO FISH TACOS WITH IT.

WHEN I HAVE COMPANY OVER, THEY NEVER ASK WHAT THE FISH IS.

I SAY BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT WAS SCUP.

>> IN THE DOZEN OR SO YEARS DAVE HAS CARRIED IT, SALES HAVE CLIMBED FROM PONY ONE POUNDS TO SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS A WEEK.

IT IS ALSO ON THE MENU AT ONE OF RHODE ISLAND'S FINEST RESTAURANTS.

BEN IS THE CHEF OF OVERLAND IN PROVIDENCE.

HIS DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT HAS NATIONAL CLINIC -- NATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR LOCALLY SOURCED SEAFOOD AND A CRITIC WROTE THAT IT WAS HIS NEW FAVORITE FISH.

>> TONIGHT'S PREPARATION WILL BE RAW.

SALT, LEMON AND THIS OLIVE OIL.

IT IS A NICE DEGREE SPANISH ORGANIC OLIVE OIL WE ALWAYS PAIR WITH ALMOST ALL OF OUR FISH.

>> HE HAS BEEN SERVING FISH FOR 15 YEARS.

TO MAKE IT SOUND MORE APPETIZING, HE USED TO CALL IT SILVER BASS.

>> GET THE OLD SALTY ONES.

THEY USED TO CATCH THIS FISH AND USE IT FOR BAIT OR THROW IT BACK RIGHT AWAY.

THE MORE WE KEEP DOING IT THE MORE IT SEEMS IT IS BECOMING WHAT PEOPLE WANT.

>> IS IT A SUSTAINABLE MODEL TO KEEP EATING SEAFOOD CAUGHT FAR AWAY WHEN WE HAVE THIS ABUNDANCE OF UNDERUTILIZED FISH IN OUR BACK BAY?

>> I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK SO.

FROM WHEN YOU ARE EATING LOCAL, YOU ARE NOT ONLY SUPPORTING LOCAL FISHING COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST THE FISHING COMMUNITY BUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THAT BUT YOUR FOOD IS TRAVELING LESS FAR BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR PLATE WHICH IS HELPING IN TERMS OF CARBON EMISSIONS.

>> SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE RHODE ISLAND SEAFOOD COALITION HAVE WORKED TO CONNECT LOCAL FISHERMEN TO POOR COMMUNITIES.

THEY CREATED A PROGRAM THAT HAS HANDED OUT MORE THAN 210,000 POUNDS OF SEAFOOD.

>> IN 2021, RHODE ISLAND HARVESTED 99 DIFFERENT SPECIES ALONE.

WE GOT THIS HUGE SELECTION OF DIFFERENT LOCAL SEAFOOD SPECIES BUT THERE IS NOT AS MUCH OF A MARKET FOR IT HERE BECAUSE CONSUMERS ARE NOT DEMANDING IT.

>> SOME IMMIGRANT GROUPS ARE.

THEY SAY WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM PEOPLE FROM FAR AWAY ABOUT HOW TO EAT LOCAL.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM ABOUT ADAPTING OUR DIET TO WHAT IS BEING PRODUCED IN OUR LOCAL WATERS.

BEYOND THAT, I THINK WE CAN LOOK TO THEM FOR HOW TO UTILIZE SOME OF THESE SPECIES AND PREPARE THEM IN DELICIOUS WAYS.

>> THAT HAS BEEN TRUE FOR LIBERIAN IMMIGRANTS, MICHAEL AND HIS WIFE NESTOR WHO ARE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAM.

TO THEM IT OFFERS A TASTE OF AFRICA.

IS THIS A FISH YOU WOULD EAT AT HOME IN LIBERIA?

>> YEAH, WE HAVE THE BLACK SNAPPER.

WE ARE SURROUNDED BY WATER LIKE RHODE ISLAND.

WE HAVE A PLACE CALLED PROVIDENCE ISLAND.

THEY GOT THE FISHERMEN IN.

WE GO THERE AND BUY THE FISH.

>> THEN IT WAS TIME TO TASTE THE SCUP WHICH IS SMOTHERED IN SAUCE OF ONIONS, FRESH TOMATOES AND GARLIC.

I HOLD THE TAIL TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF THE SAUCE HERE.

LOOK HOW NICE AND WHITE AND FLAKY IT IS.

THIS SCUP WAS SWIMMING IN THE NARAGANNSETT BAY A FEUD DAYS AGO.

-- A FEW DAYS AGO.

>> SPICY.

>> IT IS REALLY GOOD.

>> AND SPICY.

>> I COULD EAT THIS WHOLE FISH.

♪ >> UP NEXT, RHODE ISLAND OR JEREMY PEÑA MADE HISTORY.

THE ASTROS STAR IS THE FIRST ROOKIE SHORTSTOP TO EVER WIN A GOLDEN GLOVE.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER OCEAN STAPLE OR WHOSE HISTORIC MILESTONE HAS BEEN ALL BUT FORGOTTEN.

SHE GREW UP IN WARREN AND BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN EVER TO PLAY IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES.

TONIGHT WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO BASEBALL'S PROVERBIAL QUESTION, WHO IS ON FIRST?

IT IS THE QUEEN OF DIAMONDS.

>> HERE IS SOMEONE WHO IS TOLD YOU ARE A GIRL.

YOU CANNOT PLAY BASEBALL.

BUT SHE LOVED THE GAME.

SHE WAS A FINE ATHLETE.

SHE COULD RUN, SWIM, ICE SKATE WITH THE BEST IN TOWN IN WARREN.

AND SHE WANTED TO BE AROUND THE BALL PLAYERS AND CARRIED THE EQUIPMENT.

>> BUT THE WOMAN FROM WARREN DID MORE THAN JUST CARRY EQUIPMENT.

SHE GRABBED A GLOVE AND WENT PRO.

FORMER HARVARD BY BERRY AND JAY HEARD HAS SPENT A DECADE RESEARCHING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FEMALE FIRST BASE PLAYER WHO BROKE INTO THE MEN'S GAME.

SHE WAS BORN MARY ELIZABETH MURPHY IN 1894.

>>>> BUT SHE BECAME KNOWN AS LIZZIE.

SHE HAD ANOTHER NICKNAME, SPIKE.

THEY CAME AROUND WHEN SHE WAS PLAYING ON A MEN'S TEAM VERSUS ANOTHER MEN'S TEAM AND THEY WERE POKING SOME FUN AT HER.

THEY SAID ALL RIGHT, SPIKE, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.

SHE SHOWED THEM WHAT SHE COULD DO.

>> WHAT LIZZIE SPIKE MURPHY COULD DO IS PLAY BALL IN THE BIG LEAGUES.

SHE CAME TO BE CALLED THE QUEEN OF BASEBALL.

AS EARLY AS 1910 THE WARREN TOWN BEACH DIRECTORY LISTS MURPHY AS A BASEBALL PLAYER.

SHE WAS PLAYING WITH MEN AND IMPRESSING THEM.

NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TOOK NOTE.

HOW DID SHE ACTUALLY START PLAYING BASEBALL?

>> THROUGH HER BROTHER.

THEY WOULD GATHER AT WHATEVER THE LOCAL SANDLOT WAS HERE IN WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

SHE STARTED PLAYING WITH THEM.

FINALLY SHE WAS OLD ENOUGH WHEN THEY SAID THEY NEEDED A PLAYER.

LIZZIE, CAN YOU COVER FIRST BASE?

THEY NOTICED HER ABILITY.

SOON SHE WAS BEING CALLED UP TO PLAY ON THE MILL TEAMS.

>> IF HE WAS RAISED IN BIG FAMILY NEXT TO ONE OF WARREN'S RED BRICK MILLS.

HER HOME IS WHERE TOM'S MARKET NOW STANDS.

>> SHE WOULD LOVE TO CLEAN THE RUGS.

IT WAS PART OF HOW SHE STAYED IN SHE WOULD GET HER BASEBALL BAT.

BUT THE RUGS OVER A CLOTHESLINE AND BEAT THE DUST OUT OF THE RUGS.

>> WAS THERE DESTINY TO BE THE BALLPLAYER?

>> THROUGH AND THROUGH>>.

>> SCOUTED WHILE PLAYING ON THE MILL TEAM, MURPHY WAS RECRUITED BY A SEMI-BALLCLUB, THE PROVIDENCE INDEPENDENTS.

THEN SHE JOINED CARS BOSTON ALL-STARS WHO BARN STORMED NORTHEASTERN CANADA.

SHE PLAYED 100 GAMES A SUMMER FOR SOME 20 YEARS.

>> HER FIELDING WAS EXCELLENT.

SHE WAS NOT A POWER HITTER.

SHE OFTEN WENT ZERO FOR 2, 0 FOR THREE BUT SHE HIT WELL ENOUGH TO BE KEPT ON THE TEAM AND HER DEFENSE WAS OUTSTANDING.

SHE WAS MAY BE SHORT COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER BALLPLAYERS ON THE TEAM.

SHE HAD RED HAIR WHICH SHE KEPT UP UNDER HER CAP.

>> MURPHY KNEW SHE WAS A NOVELTY YET SHE HAD THE CONFIDENCE TO PROMOTE HER STATUS ON AN ALL-MALE TEAM.

SHE WERE HER NAME ON THE FRONT OF HER UNIFORM AND SOLD PICTURE POSTCARDS AND AUTOGRAPHS TO FANS AFTER THE GAME.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK SUMS IT UP ABOUT HER IS SHE AVOIDED FOR VOLATILE.

-- HE AVOIDED FRVIVOLITY.

SHE WAS COMMITTED TO PLAYING BASEBALL.

SHE HAD HER DOUBTS EARLY ON ABOUT WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO WITH HER LIFE.

>> THOSE DOUBTS LIKELY SURFACED BECAUSE WOMEN'S ANY THE EARLY 1900S AND TO THIS VERY DAY DON'T PLAY ON MEN'S BASEBALL TEAMS BUT HE SAYS SHE DECIDED SHE JUST COULD NOT SIT ON THE BENCH.

THE GUYS ACCEPTOR?

>> ABSOLUTE -- DID THE GUYS ACCEPTOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SHE SAID YES THERE WAS A LOT OF CURSING BUT SHE KNEW ALL THE WORDS SO SHE WAS OK WITH IT.

SHE MAY NOT HAVE USED THE WORDS HERSELF BUT SHE WAS ONE OF THE MEN, ONE OF THE GUYS ON THE TEAM.

SHE WAS A TEAMMATE.

ONCE SHE PROVED SHE COULD PLAY, THEY STOOD UP FOR HER.

>> THEY BACKED HER WHEN SHE MADE A STRIKE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.

THE GUYS WERE GETTING PAID FIVE BUCKS A GAME AND EVEN THOUGH MURPHY WAS A BIG DRAW, SHE WAS NOT PAID.

ONE DAY SHE REFUSED TO PLAY FOR A HUGE CROWD EXPECTED IN NEWPORT.

>> IT WAS A BIG GAME.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO GETTING ON THE BUS, SHE TOLD THE MANAGER NO PAY, NO NEWPORT.

NO PAY, NO PLAY BASICALLY.

HE SAID ALL RIGHT SHE DESERVED THE MONEY.

HERE'S FIVE DOLLARS FOR YOUR GAME.

YOU CAN SPLIT THE RECEIPTS WITH US.

SHE GOT ON THE BUS.

THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL HOLDOUT.

>> HER STORY WAS ABOUT TO GET BIGGER THAN THE GREEN MONSTER.

IN 1922, RIGHT HERE AT FENWAY, LIZZIE MURPHY MADE HISTORY.

THE FIRST WOMAN TO EVER PLAY WITH MAJOR LEAGUERS.

MURPHY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AGAINST THE BOSTON RED SOX FOR THE AMERICAN LEGAL ALL-STARS EXHIBITION GAME AT FRIENDLY FENWAY.

THE OLDEST HALL PARK IN THE COUNTRY, 100 YEARS AGO THIS SEASON, SHE PLAYED TWO INNINGS.

WHAT WAS THE SCORE?

>> HER TEAM WON.

>> TO THE BOSTON RED SOX KNOW THAT THEY WERE BEATEN BY A GIRL?

>> YES.

>> WHY IS IT HER STORY HAS NOT BEEN TOLD A LOT AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HER?

>> I WILL BE HONEST ABOUT THIS AND SAY BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN.

THAT WAS ONE THING PEOPLE COULD NOT ABIDE.

THEY BELIEVED WOMEN CANNOT PLAY BASEBALL.

AND SHE DEBUNKED THAT MYTH.

>> HE CONTINUES SORTING THROUGH THE LEGEND OF MURPHY.

THERE IS A SMALL ARCHIVE AT WARREN GEORGE HILL FREE LIBRARY.

IT IS KNOWN MURPHY GOT HITS OFF THIS SLIM BAT, ONE OF THE FEW PIECES OF THE MEMORABILIA IN THE TROPHY CASE OF WARREN'S SPORTS HALL OF FAME INSIDE TOWN HALL.

THE CAREER AND CAME WHEN SHE RETIRED AT AGE 40.

TWO YEARS LATER SHE MARRIED A MILL SUPERVISOR.

AFTER HE DIED A FEW YEARS LATER SHE WENT TO WORK ON OYSTER BOATS ALONG WARREN'S DOCS.

SHE NEVER SPOKE MUCH ABOUT HER PAST.

>> THE SPECULATION HAD ALWAYS BEEN SHE WAS ANGRY AND BITTER ABOUT HER LIFE.

I TEND TO BELIEVE USING THE KNOWLEDGE SHE WAS NOT ONE TO GO OUT AND PARTY, THAT SHE MISSED THE GAME.

THERE IS MENTION IN AN INTERVIEW SHE WAS PROUD OF WHAT SHE HAD DONE WHEN SOMEONE TOLD HER SHE HAD BEEN THE FIRST WOMAN TO PLAY AT FENWAY.

SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF THAT BUT SHE WAS NOT ONE TO BOAST.

>> FOR ALL HER CLAIM TO FAME, THERE IS LITTLE MENTION OF LIZZIE MURPHY IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN COOPERSTOWN.

EVEN HER GRAVESITE MAKES NO MENTION OF HER CAREER.

HER TOMBSTONE IS SIMPLY MARKED ELIZABETH LARABEE.

SHE DIED AT AGE 70 IN 1964.

HER LEGACY STANDS TALL IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS HISTORY.

>> THIS IS A WOMAN WHERE EVEN BEFORE WOMEN WERE ALLOWED TO VOTE STOOD UP, WAS NOT ALLOWED TO -- WAS NOT AFRAID TO SAY I LOVE BASEBALL AND SHE WENT AND PLAYED IT.

♪ >> FINALLY, WE REVISIT A REAL ESTATE DISPUTE THREATENING TO UP AND MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF JEWISH TRADITION IN NEWPORT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HISTORIC TOURO SYNAGOGUE, THE OLDEST SYNAGOGUE IN THE UNITED STATES.

DAVID WRIGHT HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE SAGA AND HAS AN UPDATE TO A STORY HE FILED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THE OLDEST SYNAGOGUE IN NORTH AMERICA DEDICATED IN 1763.

TOURO SYNAGOGUE IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AND A NATIONAL TREASURE.

IT IS ALSO THE FOCUS OF A BITTER DISPUTE.

WHO ARE TRYING TO EVICT THEM?

>> WE NEED TO DO IS HAVE EVER REGIME CHANGE.

>> LEWIS SOLOMON IS PRESIDENT OF SHERIFF -- THE LANDLORD.

THE TENANT FROM MORE THAN A CENTURY IS A CONGREGATION JESUIT ISRAEL OF NEWPORT.

>> SHERIFF ISRAEL DID INDEED FILE AN EVICTION ACTION AND IT WAS FILED TO EVICT CONGREGATION JUST SUET ISRAEL.

>> I SUPPOSE FAMILY FEUDS ARE INEVITABLE.

>> THAT IS A LOVELY WAY TO DESCRIBE IT.

>> THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE TWO ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONS WAS FIRST FORMALIZED IN THIS LEASE SIGNED IN 1903 AT THE ANNUAL RENT OF ONE DOLLAR DUE ON THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY.

THE SYNAGOGUE IS A TESTAMENT TO RHODE ISLAND'S COLONIAL HERITAGE AS A BASTION OVER THE JUST FREEDOM.

PART OF ROGER WILLIAMS LEGACY.

A CENTURY LATER WHEN AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS WERE STILL DEBATING THE BILL OF RIGHTS, IT WAS AN IMPORTANT REMINDER TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

GEORGE WASHINGTON VISITED NEWPORT IN 1790.

THE NEWPORT SYNAGOGUE WROTE TO HIM THANKING GOD FOR CREATING A GOVERNMENT WHICH TO BIGOTRY GIVES NO SANCTION.

TO PERSECUTION NO ASSISTANCE.

IN HIS REPLY, WASHINGTON ECHOED THAT LANGUAGE ADDING HIS OWN FERVENT WISH THAT JEWS SHOULD CONTINUE CONTINUED PROSPERITY AND PEACE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JEWISH PLACES OF WORSHIP.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE JEWS ARE NOT ABOUT PLACES.

THE JEWS ARE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK.

OUR PLACE IN JERUSALEM WAS BURNED DOWN.

IT WAS 2000 YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE BEEN WONDERING A WHOLE LOT SINCE.

I DON'T WANT TO OVERESTIMATE, OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF PLACE BUT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JUDAISM IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE.

>> THE BUILDING IS ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT DESIGNED BY PETER HARRISON WHO IS CREDITED WITH BRINGING THE PALLADIUM STYLE TO THE COLONIES.

HIS OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE THE REDWOOD LIBRARY IN NEWPORT, CHRIST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE, INC.'S CHAPEL IN BOSTON AND ST. MANHATTAN.

>> IT IS A PETER HARRISON CLASSIC.

IT IS WHERE THE WASHINGTON LETTER IS ASSOCIATED.

IT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE HISTORY OF THE LOCAL NEWPORT JEWISH CONGREGATION AND MORE BROADLY THE JEWISH RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY.

>> THAT RHODE ISLAND JEWISH COMMUNITY HAS HAD UPS AND DOWNS.

IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY, THE JEWISH POPULATION IN NEWPORT DWINDLED AND EVENTUALLY DIED.

>> IN THE 1880'S, NEWPORT HAD A JEWISH POPULATION THAT WAS LARGELY COMING FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA.

THE SYNAGOGUE WAS REOPENED THEN AND CONGREGATION JESUIT ISRAEL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1894.

WE HAVE USED IT ALL THE TIME.

THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO HAVE GROWN UP HERE WHOSE GRANDPARENTS WORSHIPED HERE LIKE MINE.

I WAS MARRIED IN THE SYNAGOGUE.

I SIT WHERE MY MOTHER USED TO SIT.

MY COUSIN SITS NEXT TO ME.

SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION.

>> BOTH SIDES AGREE IT IS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OR SO THE RELATIONSHIP SOURED.

THE FEUD STARTED IN 2012 WHEN THE NEW PORTERS TRIED TO SELL A SET OF VALUABLE SILVER BELLS CAST BY A JEWISH COLONIAL SILVERSMITH WHO WAS A CONTEMPORARY OF PAUL REVERE.

NEW YORKERS OBJECTED.

THE NEW PORTERS PUSHED BACK.

U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN RHODE ISLAND WAS SYMPATHETIC TO THE CLAIM BUT THAT DECISION DID NOT STAND UP ON APPEAL.

THE OPINION WRITTEN BY JUSTICE DAVID SOUTER WHO RETIRED FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE.

AS A RETIRED JUSTICE, HE REGULARLY HEARS CASES BY DESIGNATION FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN BOSTON.

IN AN OPINION HE WROTE FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT IN 2016, JUSTICE SOUTER FOUND CONGREGATION JESUIT ISRAEL IS A HOLDOVER TENANT.

A TENANT WHO REMAINS ON A PROPERTY AFTER THE LEASE HAS EXPIRED.

THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE SYNAGOGUE WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND.

U.S. SUPREME COURT DECLINED TO HEAR THE CASE IN 2019 LEAVING IN TACTIC JUSTICE SOUTER'S OPINION FOR THE COURT OF APPEALS THAT THE NEW YORK CONGREGATION OWNS THE SYNAGOGUE AND THE NEWPORT CONGREGATION ARE MERELY TENANTS.

THAT RULING REMITTED THE CASE BACK TO THE DISTRICT COURT IN NEWPORT.

IN AUGUST OF THAT COURT DISMISSED THE EVICTION BASED ON IDENTICAL PEOPLE AT THE NEW YORKERS HAVE NOW FILED FOR EVICTION AGAIN.

IT IS NOT A SIMPLE DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH FIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF BAD BLOOD.

CONGREGATION JESUIT ISRAEL GAVE PERMISSION FOR ONE OF ITS BENEFACTORS TO BE BURIED IN THE HISTORIC JEWISH CEMETERY WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 200 YEARS SHOULD THE BENEFACTOR TOOK THEM UP ON IT A LOT SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

>> WE WERE AS SURPRISED AS SHERIFF ISRAEL WHEN THEY BROUGHT A CRANE AND LOWERED THE ACTUAL MONUMENT.

NORMALLY GRAVESTONE DOES NOT GO IN UNTIL THE PERSON HAS PASSED AWAY.

>> HE IS STILL ALIVE.

>> AND WE HOPE YOU WON'T NEED HIS GRAVESTONE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> THAT IS A SACRED PLACE.

AND YOU'RE NOTHING ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE DOING THEIR UNTIL I SAW A PICTURE THAT CAME OVER THE WIRE AND A CONGREGANT OF THEIRS CALLED ME AND SAID YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS.

THERE IS A CRANE AT THE SACRED CEMETERY AND THEY ARE PUTTING A NEW THING IN THERE.

>> THE MONUMENT HAS SINCE BEEN REMOVED IN TERMS OF TRUST AND GOODWILL, DAMAGE DONE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW CONGREGATION.

A NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND CONGREGATION WHO IS GOING TO BECOME THE NEW TENANT.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORSHIPING THERE ARE GOING TO MEAN THE SAME.

THE RABBI IF HE WISHES CAN STAY.

IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO, WE WILL FIND ANOTHER RABBI.

THIS IDEA THAT YOUR LANDLORD KICKS YOU OUT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE SPACE ANYMORE, THAT IS A MISNOMER.

IT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE A FEW PEOPLE WHO RUN JESUIT ISRAEL.

WE THINK THEY ARE NO LONGER DOING THAT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF TOURO SYNAGOGUE.

>> FROM A RHODE ISLAND TOWN -- RHODE ISLAND STANDPOINT, IT IS TEMPTED TO LOOK TO LOOK AT THIS FROM HERE IS A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.

A MODEST SYNAGOGUE CONGREGATION WORSHIPING IN THIS HISTORIC PLACE AND HEAR THE BIG BAD ABSENTEE LANDLORD IN NEW YORK IS COMING TO SWOOP IN AND KICK THEM OUT.

IS THAT WRONG?

>> IT IS WRONG.

WHY DON'T YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN DIFFERENT WAY?

WHEN THERE WAS NOBODY HERE, WE TOOK CARE OF THE PLACE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO IT BECAUSE A MINORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE WORSHIPING NOW DON'T WANT TO ACTUALLY FOLLOW WHAT THE JUDGE SAID THREE YEARS AGO.

>> RABBI MARK MANDEL AND HIS CONGREGTION JESUIT ISRAEL, IT IS AN UNSETTLING TIME.

THE RABBI GAVE ME A TOUR OF THIS TORQUE SYNAGOGUE INCLUDING ITS MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE.

A 500-YEAR-OLD TORAH SCROLL WRITTEN ON DEAR SPRINT.

THIS IS OLDER THAN THE SYNAGOGUE.

>> SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS.

>> THEY KEEP IT OPEN TO THE PASSAGE OF MOSES PARTING THE RED SEA DURING THE EXODUS.

THE CALLIGRAPHY UNDERSCORING THAT MESSAGE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE AN OCEAN SO TO SPEAK WITH THE PEOPLE GOING IN BETWEEN.

>> THE RABBI HOPES HE WILL NOT HAVE TO LEAVE HIS CONGREGATION ON AN EXIT US FROM THE SYNAGOGUE.

IS THERE WISDOM IN THE TORAH THAT HELPS YOU GET THROUGH THIS PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY?

[LAUGHTER] >> THERE IS ALWAYS WISDOM IN THE TORAH EVERY DAY THAT HELPS GET ME THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> YOU HAVE FAITH.

>> YES, LIKE THE JEWS IN THE DESERT MADE IT TO THE PROMISED LAND I WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME.

>>>> THAT IS OUR BROADCAST THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

UNTIL THEN YOU CAN VISIT US ONLINE TO SEE ALL OF OUR STORIES AND PAST EPISODES AT RIPBS.ORG/WEEKLY OR LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AVAILABLE ON ALL YOUR FAVORITE AUDIO STREAMING PLATFORMS.

THANK YOU.

GOOD NIGHT.

[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪