Barnstorming in the context of negro leagues of baseball refers to exhibition tours by players or teams, such as Babe Ruth's all-stars, which played against diverse local teams, breaking down racial barriers and providing entertainment.
The term barnstorm refers to touring teams or individuals who travel to various locations to play exhibition matches or perform, often in an attempt to entertain and make money. In the provided passage, barnstorming is used in the context of describing traveling baseball teams that played exhibition games irrespective of racial segregation policies. During the era of the Negro Leagues, barnstorming was a common practice, allowing players to showcase their talents and teams to generate revenue beyond the constraints of officially organized baseball leagues. As an example, Babe Ruth's team of all-stars would tour and play against local, ethnically diverse teams, which also gave African American and other minority baseball greats the opportunity to compete against well-known white players.
In the context of negro leagues of baseball, barnstorming teams played a significant role in challenging racial segregation by bringing together people of different races on the same field and in the stands, at times fostering societal change. Exhibition games against well-known major leaguers and local teams not only provided entertainment but also symbolized victories over racial barriers common in the era.