He has contributed to many compilations, including Insider's Baseball (1983), Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: Baseball (1987), The Ballplayers (1990), Baseball Chronology Supplement (1991) and Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: 1989-1992 Supplement (1992), Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: 1992-1995 Supplement for Baseball, Football, Basketball and other sports (1995), African-American Sports Greats: A Biographical Dictionary (1995). He has also contributed to The Baseball Research Journal (1981, 1982, 1985, 1991), Oldtyme Baseball News (1989-95), Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Yearbook (1993-94), Athlon Baseball (1994 and 1995), and All-Star Game: Official Major League Baseball Program (1993-94); has served as an editor of the Negro Leagues Section of the Baseball Encyclopedia (1990); was a regular writer for The Diamond (1993-94); is listed in International Authors and Writers Who's Who (Fourteenth Edition, 1995-96); and is the editor and publisher of the Black Baseball Journal. A two-time recipient (1990 and 1993) of the SABR-MacMillan Research Award for his scholarship on the Negro Leagues, he has appeared in television documentaries A League Second to None (ESPN) and Safe at Home Plate (PBS) and guested on radio sports talk shows across the country. He is also the Director of Research at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

James A. Riley is a transplanted Tennessean and made the Sunshine State his home for for over 30 years after graduating from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee in 1961. He and his wife, Dottie, now reside in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

— Books —

All-Time All-Stars of Black Baseball.
James A. Riley

A salute to what might have been the first, second and third team "all-star" teams from the Negro Leagues. Book currently out of print and unavailable.

Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues.
James A. Riley

This landmark reference volume is recognized as the most comprehensive work chronicling this era of baseball history. A comprehensive reference book...a valuable compilation...provides illustrations, team histories, an appendix on players, plus an exhaustive bibliography.

Buck Leonard: The Black Lou Gehrig.
Buck Leonard and
James A. Riley

Baseball legend Buck Leonard traces his life from his humble beginnings, through 17 glorious seasons in the Negro Leagues, to his moment of triumph as an inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Leonard offers not only an eye-opening history of black baseball, but a compelling saga of the African-American experience in segregated America.

Dandy, Day, and the Devil. James A. Riley

Based on exhaustive research and personal interviews, this publication is a trilogy examining the lives and careers of Negro League stars Ray Dandridge, Leon Day and Willie Wells. Foreward by Hall of Famer/ former Negro League and Major League star Monte Irvin.

Negro Baseball Leagues: African American Achievers.
James A. Riley

Tracing the history of black baseball leagues of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s that showcased such legendary talents as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Buck Leonard. 50 photos. Ages Young Adult. Pub: 8/96.

Nice Guys Finish First: The Autobiography of Monte Irvin.
Monte Irvin and
James A. Riley

Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, the original choice of the Negro League owners to be the player to break the color line, tells his inspiring story.