Play Ball! The Art of George Sosnak

Born in Pittsburgh in 1924, George Sosnak was a minor league umpire, baker, and corrections officer who became a self-taught artist with an obsession for the game. Using India ink, a magnifying glass, and endless patience, he transformed baseballs into intricate visual stories filled with portraits, stats, highlights, and even autographs. Sosnak’s work aligns with American folk and self-taught art traditions, where everyday materials and personal devotion become vehicles for storytelling and cultural memory. Of the nearly 3,000 baseballs he began, he completed approximately 800.

This exhibition brings together over 50 of Sosnak’s remarkable works—including several dedicated to the Pittsburgh Pirates—with letters from players and organizations. Play Ball! is both a love letter to America’s pastime and a joyful reminder of how art can capture the spirit of a game.

Generously supported by