Harold Kasselman's Blog, page 4
March 11, 2014
Karen's health blog about child health finds relevance in A Pitch For Justice
I came across this blog by Karen Rodwill Solomon who blogs about health related issues for children and parenting. Karen found relevance to issues in parenting and the issues raised in my book A Pitch For Justice.
She says"We have some pretty basic rules when it comes to sports – if you’re hurt, you don’t play; wear a helmet when necessary, I don’t care what your friends are doing and; if the coach is a screaming, win-at-all-costs coach, we find another one. Very simple. We are parents, we have a responsibility to teach our kids. Unfortunately, the world at large doesn’t live by those rules – injured players play, kids get concussions and even more kids sit on the bench because the coach would rather win then let everyone learn and get experience.
So what do the NFL, Soccer and the book A Pitch for Justice have in common? Responsibility, accountability and common sense."
Here is the link to the blog which does raise interesting issues that are part of reform in football and baseball and undoubtedly will filter down to how parents and coaches will deal with accountability in their own lives:
http://www.themissingniche.com/2014/0...
She says"We have some pretty basic rules when it comes to sports – if you’re hurt, you don’t play; wear a helmet when necessary, I don’t care what your friends are doing and; if the coach is a screaming, win-at-all-costs coach, we find another one. Very simple. We are parents, we have a responsibility to teach our kids. Unfortunately, the world at large doesn’t live by those rules – injured players play, kids get concussions and even more kids sit on the bench because the coach would rather win then let everyone learn and get experience.
So what do the NFL, Soccer and the book A Pitch for Justice have in common? Responsibility, accountability and common sense."
Here is the link to the blog which does raise interesting issues that are part of reform in football and baseball and undoubtedly will filter down to how parents and coaches will deal with accountability in their own lives:
http://www.themissingniche.com/2014/0...
February 12, 2014
My Lunch with award winning author Lois Duncan
I had the honor of sitting next to Lois Duncan at lunch today before a writers' club presentation. She is the author of fifty books.
Duncan received the 1992 Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association for her contribution in writing for teens.
Duncan is best known for her novels of suspense for teenagers. Some of her works have been adapted for the screen, the most famous example being the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The 1971 children's book Hotel for Dogs was also adapted as a 2009 film of the same name starring Emma Roberts.
So how did I get so lucky? It may sound ludicrous, but Ms. Duncan was there to hear my presentation "Marketing Tips for self-published authors". I gave it to the Sarasota Florida branch of the Pen Writers club.
Duncan has just published her first e-book called "One To The Wolves" about the murder of her own daughter Kaitlyn Arquette in 1989 and the inability of the New Mexico authorities to solve the case. Although the book was published by Ann Rule's company the prolific true crime author, Ms. Duncan has had no experience with marketing an e-book.
Her book is available on Kindle, Nook, and iBooks. I hope I gave her some insight into the ways of marketing in this electronic book age. In any event it was a privilege to have her at my table and in the audience.
I know I shall be buying her newest book and if you share my interest, the link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/One-Wolves-On-T...
Duncan received the 1992 Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association for her contribution in writing for teens.
Duncan is best known for her novels of suspense for teenagers. Some of her works have been adapted for the screen, the most famous example being the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The 1971 children's book Hotel for Dogs was also adapted as a 2009 film of the same name starring Emma Roberts.
So how did I get so lucky? It may sound ludicrous, but Ms. Duncan was there to hear my presentation "Marketing Tips for self-published authors". I gave it to the Sarasota Florida branch of the Pen Writers club.
Duncan has just published her first e-book called "One To The Wolves" about the murder of her own daughter Kaitlyn Arquette in 1989 and the inability of the New Mexico authorities to solve the case. Although the book was published by Ann Rule's company the prolific true crime author, Ms. Duncan has had no experience with marketing an e-book.
Her book is available on Kindle, Nook, and iBooks. I hope I gave her some insight into the ways of marketing in this electronic book age. In any event it was a privilege to have her at my table and in the audience.
I know I shall be buying her newest book and if you share my interest, the link is below.
http://www.amazon.com/One-Wolves-On-T...
February 10, 2014
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/
October 10, 2013
Art imitating life
In an article dated October 9, 2013 and linked below,the General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks allegedly said some astounding things about the need for his players to retaliate against the other team if an Arizona player gets hit by a pitch. Most understand that it is an unwritten rule of baseball but this was said publicly, according to the article. What he allegedly said, could open himself up to suspensions in baseball and civil liability or conceivably even more if an opponent is seriously injured in the future in my opinion. He talks about an eye for an eye. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/18...
GM Kevin Towers is quoted as saying:
"You'd think the GM comes down and makes it a point to talk to the staff about it that at we need to start protecting our own and doing things differently. Probably a week later Goldy gets dinged, and no retaliation. It's like 'wait a minute.'
Not that I don't take any of our guys from a lesser standpoint, but if Goldy's getting hit, it's an eye for an eye, somebody's going down or somebody's going to get jackknifed."
He later says that if any of his players are uncomfortable with that philosophy, they don't belong on the team.
This sounds like a promo for my novel which is based on the substance of what Towers allegedly called for just as my fictitious manager does in A Pitch For Justice
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
GM Kevin Towers is quoted as saying:
"You'd think the GM comes down and makes it a point to talk to the staff about it that at we need to start protecting our own and doing things differently. Probably a week later Goldy gets dinged, and no retaliation. It's like 'wait a minute.'
Not that I don't take any of our guys from a lesser standpoint, but if Goldy's getting hit, it's an eye for an eye, somebody's going down or somebody's going to get jackknifed."
He later says that if any of his players are uncomfortable with that philosophy, they don't belong on the team.
This sounds like a promo for my novel which is based on the substance of what Towers allegedly called for just as my fictitious manager does in A Pitch For Justice
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
September 25, 2013
When your job conflicts with book writing
I was asked yesterday by KWY news radio in Philadelphia to comment about a
judge who moonlighted as a comedian and TV personality. It was an unusual case but the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the judge to choose between the professions. He could not remain a judge.
Vince Sicari often appeared on a TV show called "What Would you do". In it he would role play characters who refused to serve the gay and lesbian community, bi-racial families, or people with HIV/Aids. In his comedy routines, he would bash ethnic and racial groups. The court felt that the public perception might be that the comedian/actor's true beliefs were reflected in those routines.
If a TV observer or audience member would come before the judge, they may think that their chances for justice were greatly diminished.
(Vince Sicari, performing as Vince August at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Facebook photo)
David Madden
Related tags
David Madden, Harold Kasselman, KYW Newsradio 1060, New Jersey Code of Judicial Conduct, Vince August, Vince Sicari
By David Madden
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBS) — The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered a municipal judge in Hackensack to make a choice: he can be a judge or a stand-up comic, but not both.
And now former judge Vince Sicari, 44,has made his choice — comedy.
Sicari earned about $13,000 a year in his judicial role. But under his stage name, Vince August, he may have a budding entertainment career.
But court officials say that would violate New Jersey’s Code of Judicial Conduct.
Gloucester County lawyer Harold Kasselman, a former prosecutor, says once an attorney dons that black robe, everything changes.
“They’re precluded from even being put into any position where there would be a reasonable doubt about their impartiality,” Kasselman explains.
And the court, in a unanimous decision, found the two jobs “incompatable.”
Kasselman — who, by the way, has his own side gig as an author — predicted in our interview that Sicari might opt for the stage.
It turns out he was right. Sicari turned in his resignation a couple of hours after the ruling came down.
As a former public prosecutor I too was precluded from writing any novels or non-fiction for profit. As a private practitioner I can be an author and comedian if I were so inclined but as a public employee you do lose some first amendment and employment rights.
judge who moonlighted as a comedian and TV personality. It was an unusual case but the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the judge to choose between the professions. He could not remain a judge.
Vince Sicari often appeared on a TV show called "What Would you do". In it he would role play characters who refused to serve the gay and lesbian community, bi-racial families, or people with HIV/Aids. In his comedy routines, he would bash ethnic and racial groups. The court felt that the public perception might be that the comedian/actor's true beliefs were reflected in those routines.
If a TV observer or audience member would come before the judge, they may think that their chances for justice were greatly diminished.
(Vince Sicari, performing as Vince August at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Facebook photo)
David Madden
Related tags
David Madden, Harold Kasselman, KYW Newsradio 1060, New Jersey Code of Judicial Conduct, Vince August, Vince Sicari
By David Madden
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBS) — The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered a municipal judge in Hackensack to make a choice: he can be a judge or a stand-up comic, but not both.
And now former judge Vince Sicari, 44,has made his choice — comedy.
Sicari earned about $13,000 a year in his judicial role. But under his stage name, Vince August, he may have a budding entertainment career.
But court officials say that would violate New Jersey’s Code of Judicial Conduct.
Gloucester County lawyer Harold Kasselman, a former prosecutor, says once an attorney dons that black robe, everything changes.
“They’re precluded from even being put into any position where there would be a reasonable doubt about their impartiality,” Kasselman explains.
And the court, in a unanimous decision, found the two jobs “incompatable.”
Kasselman — who, by the way, has his own side gig as an author — predicted in our interview that Sicari might opt for the stage.
It turns out he was right. Sicari turned in his resignation a couple of hours after the ruling came down.
As a former public prosecutor I too was precluded from writing any novels or non-fiction for profit. As a private practitioner I can be an author and comedian if I were so inclined but as a public employee you do lose some first amendment and employment rights.
September 5, 2013
"The Pitcher" By Wm. Hazelgrove reviews A PITCH FOR JUSTICE
Scott Turow Meets Bang the Drum Slowly, September 5, 2013
By
William Elliott Hazelgrove (Chicago) - Author of five best selling books including THE PITCHER which is soon to be made into a major movie
This review is from: A Pitch for Justice (Kindle Edition)
Any good novel has to be built around a single premise. The premise should be able to be summed up in one sentence. What if a man was killed by a pitch (ala Ray Chapman) and the pitcher was charged with murder? Very interesting. Now you have your high concept if you will. And that is the premise of a Pitch For Justice. Harold Kasselman integrates the legal with the baseball in the seamless style of any well written bestseller. He does have the legal knowledge but he also has the knowledge of the game and sticks to the premise of the novel. Can a man murder another man with a baseball pitch? Less is more. I have read Scott Turow. I have heard him speak and we traded emails a few times. And I have read Bang the Drum Slowly. You can tell Harold Kasselman loves the law and baseball. A Pitch for Justice is a seamless integration that I could not put down. amzn.to/1gSngr0
By
William Elliott Hazelgrove (Chicago) - Author of five best selling books including THE PITCHER which is soon to be made into a major movie
This review is from: A Pitch for Justice (Kindle Edition)
Any good novel has to be built around a single premise. The premise should be able to be summed up in one sentence. What if a man was killed by a pitch (ala Ray Chapman) and the pitcher was charged with murder? Very interesting. Now you have your high concept if you will. And that is the premise of a Pitch For Justice. Harold Kasselman integrates the legal with the baseball in the seamless style of any well written bestseller. He does have the legal knowledge but he also has the knowledge of the game and sticks to the premise of the novel. Can a man murder another man with a baseball pitch? Less is more. I have read Scott Turow. I have heard him speak and we traded emails a few times. And I have read Bang the Drum Slowly. You can tell Harold Kasselman loves the law and baseball. A Pitch for Justice is a seamless integration that I could not put down. amzn.to/1gSngr0
September 3, 2013
When can team chemistry turn a loser into a winner?
http://apitchforjustice.blogspot.com/...
In honor of the end of the 2013 baseball season here is my two cents.
In honor of the end of the 2013 baseball season here is my two cents.
August 15, 2013
Baseball enters the 21st century
Shockingly, MLB and Bud Selig announced today a proposal from Joe Torre and Tony La Russa's committee on instant replay. The 30 ownership groups apparently will formally approve it in November.
The proposal will dramatically change baseball's rules and the authority of the umpire crew chief. Virtually every play will be reviewable and both managers will have three challenges per game.
It appears that both the umpire and players' unions will agree to it as well.
Of significance is the fact that "experienced people with umpiring experience" will monitor the review process from offices in New York. They rather than the crew chief will decide the final call.
That raises the question of whether the "judges" must be unanimous in their view or whether a simple majority is sufficient to overturn the call. Also will the current standard still apply? Must it be by clear and convincing evidence to all the judges? Could this cause even more gridlock and time than the current system?
Sure, it's great to get it right but are we replacing a flawed system with one that is even more open to conflict? We'll see next year.
http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/26...
The proposal will dramatically change baseball's rules and the authority of the umpire crew chief. Virtually every play will be reviewable and both managers will have three challenges per game.
It appears that both the umpire and players' unions will agree to it as well.
Of significance is the fact that "experienced people with umpiring experience" will monitor the review process from offices in New York. They rather than the crew chief will decide the final call.
That raises the question of whether the "judges" must be unanimous in their view or whether a simple majority is sufficient to overturn the call. Also will the current standard still apply? Must it be by clear and convincing evidence to all the judges? Could this cause even more gridlock and time than the current system?
Sure, it's great to get it right but are we replacing a flawed system with one that is even more open to conflict? We'll see next year.
http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/26...
June 19, 2013
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 !!!
June 12, 2013
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/...-
