Harold Kasselman's Blog - Posts Tagged "phillies"
Cole Hamels and the code of baseball
On Sunday Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels hit the Nationals prize rookie Bryce Harper in the latter's first at bat.It looked intentional and after the game Hamels admitted it was a "purpose pitch".
Hamels said his pitch was in lockstep with the old school of baseball that was played when he grew up.
This surprised and disappointed me, even though I am a life-long Phillies fan, because the pitch was not a result of Harper "showing up" Hamels, showboating, or in retaliation for a prior hard take-out slide by a Nationals player.I know Bob Gibson often greeted new players to the league the same way, but is what Hamels did really a legitimate old school style of play? Or does it go beyond the customs of the unwritten code of baseball?
In my novel A Pitch for Justice, I imagine such a dire consequence of baseball's code which leads to a criminal investigation and prosecution.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
I hope there is no further retaliation by the Nats or the Phillies; I don't want my novel to become reality.
Hamels said his pitch was in lockstep with the old school of baseball that was played when he grew up.
This surprised and disappointed me, even though I am a life-long Phillies fan, because the pitch was not a result of Harper "showing up" Hamels, showboating, or in retaliation for a prior hard take-out slide by a Nationals player.I know Bob Gibson often greeted new players to the league the same way, but is what Hamels did really a legitimate old school style of play? Or does it go beyond the customs of the unwritten code of baseball?
In my novel A Pitch for Justice, I imagine such a dire consequence of baseball's code which leads to a criminal investigation and prosecution.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
I hope there is no further retaliation by the Nats or the Phillies; I don't want my novel to become reality.
Tampa-Tribune Book Review
TAMPA-TRIBUNE BOOK REVIEW
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/spo...
I am very proud of the above review by Robert D'angelo, a sports reporter and book reviewer for 30 years at the Tampa-Tribune. This piece appeared Monday April 16th about A PITCH FOR JUSTICE
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/spo...
I am very proud of the above review by Robert D'angelo, a sports reporter and book reviewer for 30 years at the Tampa-Tribune. This piece appeared Monday April 16th about A PITCH FOR JUSTICE
Williamsport Sun-Gazette Book Review of a Pitch For Justice
I am grateful to journalist and author Mike Reuther for his review of A Pitch For Justice.
http://sungazette.com/page/content.de...
http://sungazette.com/page/content.de...
The Kindle Book Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Justice vs. Vengeance, January 23, 2013
By The Kindle Book Review (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: A Pitch for Justice (Kindle Edition)
Author Harold Kasselman has given us a uniquely realistic story of the ramifications that could result from a baseball pitch hitting a batter in the head and ultimately resulting in the death of the batter. Is this a situation that should be handled by the Commissioner of Baseball or is it one that should be treated as a crime and brought before a Grand Jury?
The rivalry between the Phillies and the Mets is palpable and retaliation is the name of the game. Rookie pitcher Tim Charles is embroiled in a conspiracy endorsed by manager Buck Sawyer to throw a pitch to intimidate and hit second baseman for the Mets Kenny Leyton. The pitch hits Leyton in the head and he drops to the ground. He suffers a concussion and against doctor's orders goes home to rest. The next day he is having great difficulty and is rushed to the emergency room where he subsequently dies from his injuries. Leyton's Widow Theresa masks her grief behind anger and vengeance and is determined to get justice for her husband's death no matter what the cost.
This book brings to the surface the competitive nature of baseball and the lengths that players are expected to go to in order to be competitive and support the players on their team. Does the fact that this type of retaliation has always been part of the game make it acceptable?
This is not just a book about baseball; it is also about the morals and values of those in the game and the inner workings of the legal system in their quest for justice. The process of the Grand Jury deciding to prosecute and the inner workings of this process as well as the trial that ensues are riveting and informative. You have a glimpse into the inner workings of the legal system and the compromises and deals that are made before a case gets to trial.
The characters of Tim Charles the pitcher, Buck Sawyer the team manager and Jamie Brooks the prosecutor and an avid baseball fan are extremely well-developed. They successfully draw you into their lives as the drama and intensity of the legal issues bring them together.
This is a very realistic story written with knowledge and depth. The Author's background as an attorney is evident as he leads the reader through the court system with intelligence and ease. The style of writing is easy to follow, filled with interesting characters and portrays the inner working of the legal system with great fascination.
By: Marilou George The Kindle Book Review
By The Kindle Book Review (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: A Pitch for Justice (Kindle Edition)
Author Harold Kasselman has given us a uniquely realistic story of the ramifications that could result from a baseball pitch hitting a batter in the head and ultimately resulting in the death of the batter. Is this a situation that should be handled by the Commissioner of Baseball or is it one that should be treated as a crime and brought before a Grand Jury?
The rivalry between the Phillies and the Mets is palpable and retaliation is the name of the game. Rookie pitcher Tim Charles is embroiled in a conspiracy endorsed by manager Buck Sawyer to throw a pitch to intimidate and hit second baseman for the Mets Kenny Leyton. The pitch hits Leyton in the head and he drops to the ground. He suffers a concussion and against doctor's orders goes home to rest. The next day he is having great difficulty and is rushed to the emergency room where he subsequently dies from his injuries. Leyton's Widow Theresa masks her grief behind anger and vengeance and is determined to get justice for her husband's death no matter what the cost.
This book brings to the surface the competitive nature of baseball and the lengths that players are expected to go to in order to be competitive and support the players on their team. Does the fact that this type of retaliation has always been part of the game make it acceptable?
This is not just a book about baseball; it is also about the morals and values of those in the game and the inner workings of the legal system in their quest for justice. The process of the Grand Jury deciding to prosecute and the inner workings of this process as well as the trial that ensues are riveting and informative. You have a glimpse into the inner workings of the legal system and the compromises and deals that are made before a case gets to trial.
The characters of Tim Charles the pitcher, Buck Sawyer the team manager and Jamie Brooks the prosecutor and an avid baseball fan are extremely well-developed. They successfully draw you into their lives as the drama and intensity of the legal issues bring them together.
This is a very realistic story written with knowledge and depth. The Author's background as an attorney is evident as he leads the reader through the court system with intelligence and ease. The style of writing is easy to follow, filled with interesting characters and portrays the inner working of the legal system with great fascination.
By: Marilou George The Kindle Book Review
Pitchers who intentionally hit batters
Future Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez was quoted today in his new role as an advisor to the Boston Red Sox.
He intends to teach his pitchers about the necessity of pitching inside and dominating the plate.
In fact Pedro admitted that 90% of all the many batters he hit were intentional. To him, it is a fact of baseball self-preservation.
Perhaps that's why the players union agreed to the 2013 MLB contract for 2013 that makes the new safety enhanced Rawlings helmet mandatory.The new helmets are expected to withstand 100 mph fastballs.
This raises the question of the unwritten rules of baseball and the danger of causing serious injury to a batter during a game.
If you'd like to read more about that conflict, please see my novel A Pitch For Justice.http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
He intends to teach his pitchers about the necessity of pitching inside and dominating the plate.
In fact Pedro admitted that 90% of all the many batters he hit were intentional. To him, it is a fact of baseball self-preservation.
Perhaps that's why the players union agreed to the 2013 MLB contract for 2013 that makes the new safety enhanced Rawlings helmet mandatory.The new helmets are expected to withstand 100 mph fastballs.
This raises the question of the unwritten rules of baseball and the danger of causing serious injury to a batter during a game.
If you'd like to read more about that conflict, please see my novel A Pitch For Justice.http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Brush back pitch is rediscovered by Doc Halliday
In a game between the Phillies and Nationals yesterday, Roy Halliday threw a high fastball over the head of a Nats' batter. It has been suggested that it was intentional. It came soon after Nats phenom Stephen Strasburg cracked Chase Utley in the shins with a 99 mile per hour fastball.
The news is that Utley had suggested to Halliday earlier in spring training that the pitcher utilize the "purpose pitch" more often as part of his arsenal.
Fotunately there was no further retaliation. Charlie Manuel Phils manager was quoted as saying the brush back is a necessary part of the game. True, but waht happens if retaliation gets out of hand?
See my novel A PITCH FOR JUSTICE that imagines a criminal prosecution for homicide.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
The news is that Utley had suggested to Halliday earlier in spring training that the pitcher utilize the "purpose pitch" more often as part of his arsenal.
Fotunately there was no further retaliation. Charlie Manuel Phils manager was quoted as saying the brush back is a necessary part of the game. True, but waht happens if retaliation gets out of hand?
See my novel A PITCH FOR JUSTICE that imagines a criminal prosecution for homicide.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Author Mike Sowell's review of A Pitch For Justice
Mike Sowell,Journalism Professor and author of The Pitch that Killed a factual account of the 1920 American League pennant race, and the tragic death of Ray Chapman by a pitched ball,has this to say about my novel.
" I really enjoyed A PITCH FOR JUSTICE. It kept me hanging until the end. Great story and excellent job telling it". Mike Sowell, Author of THE PITCH THAT KILLED,(soon to be a major motion picture called DEADBALL)
My book is a fictitious portrayal of what could happen today if a batter were beaned after the team's manager calls for retaliation.
The next step is the investigation and prosecution of the rookie pitcher for homicide. What effect would such a prosecution have upon the game of baseball and how it's played? Should the baseball commissioner soley handle the matter or is it really criminal conduct.
What was in the heart of the rookie pitcher when he threw the pitch?
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
" I really enjoyed A PITCH FOR JUSTICE. It kept me hanging until the end. Great story and excellent job telling it". Mike Sowell, Author of THE PITCH THAT KILLED,(soon to be a major motion picture called DEADBALL)
My book is a fictitious portrayal of what could happen today if a batter were beaned after the team's manager calls for retaliation.
The next step is the investigation and prosecution of the rookie pitcher for homicide. What effect would such a prosecution have upon the game of baseball and how it's played? Should the baseball commissioner soley handle the matter or is it really criminal conduct.
What was in the heart of the rookie pitcher when he threw the pitch?
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Is violence a necessary part of sports?
The Dodgers found themselves in yet another baseball scrum last night; this time it was the divisional leading Arizona Diamondbacks. And yes Zach Greinke was front and center once again
It started when the Dodgers' star rookie, Yasiel Puig, was hit in the face by a pitch in the sixth, which led to the Dodgers and pitcher Zack Greinke to retaliate in the seventh by hitting Miguel Montero. But when Ian Kennedy sent one toward Greinke's head in the seventh, all hell broke lose with a benches-clearing brawl, and Puig was right in the middle of it.
The problem, with the attitude that this is just boys playing out the tradition of the unwritten rules of baseball, is that someone will be seriously hurt or a career will be ended.
The exception to the unwritten code of retaliation is that "purpose pitches" are not to be thrown at the neck or above. In this game Puig was hit in the face and Greinke was hit in the head.
Someone needs to grow up and realize that a baseball can be a deadly weapon even if it is not intentionally thrown at the head with a purpose to hit the head. Just trying to intimidate can lead to a recklessly caused injury.
Two lesser things came out of last night's game. One the Dodgers won. Secondly with Mattingly going all out for his players yesterday by mixing it up with Alan Trammel, he has probably saved his job for the rest of the year.
If you would like to read a novel that depicts how far escalation can go in an MLB game, read A PITCH FOR JUSTICE. The criminal justice system gets involved to make a pitcher accountable for a tragedy on the field.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Also read the below well argued dilemma for sports fans on whether violence is just an acceptable part of the game.
http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/...-
It started when the Dodgers' star rookie, Yasiel Puig, was hit in the face by a pitch in the sixth, which led to the Dodgers and pitcher Zack Greinke to retaliate in the seventh by hitting Miguel Montero. But when Ian Kennedy sent one toward Greinke's head in the seventh, all hell broke lose with a benches-clearing brawl, and Puig was right in the middle of it.
The problem, with the attitude that this is just boys playing out the tradition of the unwritten rules of baseball, is that someone will be seriously hurt or a career will be ended.
The exception to the unwritten code of retaliation is that "purpose pitches" are not to be thrown at the neck or above. In this game Puig was hit in the face and Greinke was hit in the head.
Someone needs to grow up and realize that a baseball can be a deadly weapon even if it is not intentionally thrown at the head with a purpose to hit the head. Just trying to intimidate can lead to a recklessly caused injury.
Two lesser things came out of last night's game. One the Dodgers won. Secondly with Mattingly going all out for his players yesterday by mixing it up with Alan Trammel, he has probably saved his job for the rest of the year.
If you would like to read a novel that depicts how far escalation can go in an MLB game, read A PITCH FOR JUSTICE. The criminal justice system gets involved to make a pitcher accountable for a tragedy on the field.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Also read the below well argued dilemma for sports fans on whether violence is just an acceptable part of the game.
http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/...-
My first review from Germany
I just happened to check my statistics to see if my sales to Europe had yielded any reviews. I am proud to show my first review from a reader from Germany on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B007AIQO0A
Die hilfreichsten Kundenrezensionen
5.0 von 5 Sternen Grand Slam Homerun 17. Juni 2013
Von Der Cubbie
Format:Kindle Edition|Von Amazon bestätigter Kauf
This is simply a great book, well written, with a great story.
It seems to be the first book ever written by Mr. Kasselman but it is one I could not put down for long.
I love Baseball and his "what if"-idea outlined in this book was absolutely outstanding.
I am not very familiar with the details of the US-legal system, but he explained each step one-by-one, so even a layman like me was able to follow and understand this case.
There was never any doubt what my personal verdict on this issue would be, but nobody could be sure.
It was also nice, that he included a second, more personal story about the DA Jamie, who seemed to be a nice chap burdened with a task nobody had done before.
Fun to read ! And therefore highly recommended !!!
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B007AIQO0A
Die hilfreichsten Kundenrezensionen
5.0 von 5 Sternen Grand Slam Homerun 17. Juni 2013
Von Der Cubbie
Format:Kindle Edition|Von Amazon bestätigter Kauf
This is simply a great book, well written, with a great story.
It seems to be the first book ever written by Mr. Kasselman but it is one I could not put down for long.
I love Baseball and his "what if"-idea outlined in this book was absolutely outstanding.
I am not very familiar with the details of the US-legal system, but he explained each step one-by-one, so even a layman like me was able to follow and understand this case.
There was never any doubt what my personal verdict on this issue would be, but nobody could be sure.
It was also nice, that he included a second, more personal story about the DA Jamie, who seemed to be a nice chap burdened with a task nobody had done before.
Fun to read ! And therefore highly recommended !!!
Blogger and author RC O'Leary reviews A Pitch For Justice
I am gratified to post the following blog review of my novel by a wonderful writer and law school graduate RC O'Leary. Please take a moment and read the full review
" I found it to be a very interesting concept and one that became more realistic as the story progressed. Upon first reading the book's blurb I thought the idea was a bit unrealistic--would a major league pitcher really get charged with murder for beaning a batter--but Kasselman (who, more full disclosure, I have had some interactions with re: his book and mine on goodreads) creates an extremely plausible sequence of events and decision making that makes the idea seem completely credible. As a matter of fact, God forbid a major league player is killed by a bean ball, but if he were I think this book might be used as justification to potentially charge him."
http://www.rcoleary.com/
" I found it to be a very interesting concept and one that became more realistic as the story progressed. Upon first reading the book's blurb I thought the idea was a bit unrealistic--would a major league pitcher really get charged with murder for beaning a batter--but Kasselman (who, more full disclosure, I have had some interactions with re: his book and mine on goodreads) creates an extremely plausible sequence of events and decision making that makes the idea seem completely credible. As a matter of fact, God forbid a major league player is killed by a bean ball, but if he were I think this book might be used as justification to potentially charge him."
http://www.rcoleary.com/
