Harold Kasselman's Blog, page 6
February 15, 2013
Baseball tragedy made into a movie
A movie may be in production next year about the only death in baseball by a bean ball.
Come Aboard Productions announced yesterday they had purchased the rights to produce a movie based on Mike Sowell's moving account of the 1920 fatal bean ball that felled Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman. Sowell wrote the definitive work The Pitch that Killed in 2003.( The only other death during a Major League Baseball game occurred when a centerfielder crashed into a wall.)
Sowell was quoted as saying that"it is amazing to me that in the 135 year history of the game,his(Chapman)was the only death from a pitched ball."
This is a riveting story that reads as a novel.Although his book was not a big commercial success, it was well received by critics. Apparently, there is also an attempt by those involved in the story to try and get Chapman elected to baseball's Hall Of Fame. He was a teammate of Tris Speaker, and was succeeded by Joe Sewell who later became a Hall of Famer himself.
Carl Mays, the disdained pitcher of the Yankees, who threw the pitch was never prosecuted for the tragedy.
If you would enjoy a story in modern times about a manager who calls for his rookie pitcher to retaliate with a bean ball, see my novel A Pitch For Justice. This takes the story one step beyond baseball into the criminal justice system. What is acceptable as a custom in the game, and when does it become a criminal event?
My book examines what was in the mind and heart of the rookie pitcher who threw the ball and the unwritten rules of baseball.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
In either case, I think you'll enjoy Mike Sowell's account of that historic event
http://www.prlog.org/12079421-come-ab...
Come Aboard Productions announced yesterday they had purchased the rights to produce a movie based on Mike Sowell's moving account of the 1920 fatal bean ball that felled Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman. Sowell wrote the definitive work The Pitch that Killed in 2003.( The only other death during a Major League Baseball game occurred when a centerfielder crashed into a wall.)
Sowell was quoted as saying that"it is amazing to me that in the 135 year history of the game,his(Chapman)was the only death from a pitched ball."
This is a riveting story that reads as a novel.Although his book was not a big commercial success, it was well received by critics. Apparently, there is also an attempt by those involved in the story to try and get Chapman elected to baseball's Hall Of Fame. He was a teammate of Tris Speaker, and was succeeded by Joe Sewell who later became a Hall of Famer himself.
Carl Mays, the disdained pitcher of the Yankees, who threw the pitch was never prosecuted for the tragedy.
If you would enjoy a story in modern times about a manager who calls for his rookie pitcher to retaliate with a bean ball, see my novel A Pitch For Justice. This takes the story one step beyond baseball into the criminal justice system. What is acceptable as a custom in the game, and when does it become a criminal event?
My book examines what was in the mind and heart of the rookie pitcher who threw the ball and the unwritten rules of baseball.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
In either case, I think you'll enjoy Mike Sowell's account of that historic event
http://www.prlog.org/12079421-come-ab...
February 12, 2013
Cheating in baseball without steroids
I just finished reading Joshua Prager's book about the 1951 NL pennant race and "the shot heard round the world". Here is my take:
This is an exhaustively researched story about the 1951 NL pennant race, the two most prominent protagonists, and the unrivaled loyalty of the fans of the Giants and Dodgers.I thoroughly enjoyed the insights into the quasi-fanatical and all-encompassing raison d'etre that the game had for the people of Coogan's Bluff and Brooklyn.
The story of the sign stealing scheme that manager Leo Durocher implemented on July 20th unfolds in a compelling manner. The rumors of the stolen pennant lasted for almost 40 years before it was made public. This was true despite the many cast of characters who were involved or aware of it.
It is also a a fascinating look into the psychological effects that the secret had upon Ralph Branca, who became aware of the tainted pennant race a few years later, yet kept the potentially personally liberating secret to himself for decades.
And what of the "hero" Bobby Thomson who lived with the guilt and the rumors and the press questions for so long? He knew of the tainted season because he admitted taking advantage of the sign stealing. Yet, despite maintaining that his homerun was based soley on his skill, he at times prevaricated(or at least left opaque) over whether the homer was tainted by the theft of a sign. I was left to wonder whether he could not admit to himself that he had eyed the signal from the bullpen.The man who was raised to do the right thing may have been unable to accept the realization that his homerun and Branca's trauma was aided artifically by a telescope and buzzer.
The conflict between the men was tense for years because of the secret they shared but still were able to use the homer to mutual advantage and at the very end were able to adjust and perhaps enjoy each other's company.
There is also the ethical question which was never memorialized into a rule in baseball. How far can a team go in stealing signs? At what point does it go from a crafty custom and skill to one that all would say trancends the bounds of fair play.For me the telescope meets the latter test.In fact there is only a memo written in 2000 by Sandy Alderson (then Exec VP) which condemned the use of "electronic devices" but not mechanical ones during a game.No penalties were set forth for a violation of same.Would the game be forfeited, suspensions given, or merely fines? No one has been caught stealing, although the Phillies were suspected in 2010 of using binoculars to steal signs.
This is a wonderful book despite the often awkward sentence structure. There were multople times I neede to reread sentences that were so oddly composed. For that, I must rate it 4.5 stars.It is nevertheless a must for baseball history buffs
This is an exhaustively researched story about the 1951 NL pennant race, the two most prominent protagonists, and the unrivaled loyalty of the fans of the Giants and Dodgers.I thoroughly enjoyed the insights into the quasi-fanatical and all-encompassing raison d'etre that the game had for the people of Coogan's Bluff and Brooklyn.
The story of the sign stealing scheme that manager Leo Durocher implemented on July 20th unfolds in a compelling manner. The rumors of the stolen pennant lasted for almost 40 years before it was made public. This was true despite the many cast of characters who were involved or aware of it.
It is also a a fascinating look into the psychological effects that the secret had upon Ralph Branca, who became aware of the tainted pennant race a few years later, yet kept the potentially personally liberating secret to himself for decades.
And what of the "hero" Bobby Thomson who lived with the guilt and the rumors and the press questions for so long? He knew of the tainted season because he admitted taking advantage of the sign stealing. Yet, despite maintaining that his homerun was based soley on his skill, he at times prevaricated(or at least left opaque) over whether the homer was tainted by the theft of a sign. I was left to wonder whether he could not admit to himself that he had eyed the signal from the bullpen.The man who was raised to do the right thing may have been unable to accept the realization that his homerun and Branca's trauma was aided artifically by a telescope and buzzer.
The conflict between the men was tense for years because of the secret they shared but still were able to use the homer to mutual advantage and at the very end were able to adjust and perhaps enjoy each other's company.
There is also the ethical question which was never memorialized into a rule in baseball. How far can a team go in stealing signs? At what point does it go from a crafty custom and skill to one that all would say trancends the bounds of fair play.For me the telescope meets the latter test.In fact there is only a memo written in 2000 by Sandy Alderson (then Exec VP) which condemned the use of "electronic devices" but not mechanical ones during a game.No penalties were set forth for a violation of same.Would the game be forfeited, suspensions given, or merely fines? No one has been caught stealing, although the Phillies were suspected in 2010 of using binoculars to steal signs.
This is a wonderful book despite the often awkward sentence structure. There were multople times I neede to reread sentences that were so oddly composed. For that, I must rate it 4.5 stars.It is nevertheless a must for baseball history buffs
January 23, 2013
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
December 20, 2012
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...
December 12, 2012
New Batting Helmets for 2013
In an effort to decrease serious head injuries in baseball,the MLB and player's union agreed to a new safety provision in the 2013 contract. The Rawlings company's newest helmet will be mandatory.
Approximately 300 MLB® players chose to wear the Rawlings S100 Pro Comp this season before the league-wide rule goes into effect in 2013. The mandatory use of the updated version of Rawlings S100 batting helmet is outlined in the new, 5-year collective bargaining agreement signed last November by Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association™. This protective provision was specifically included in "Health and Safety" category (Section VIII) of the labor agreement.
Query: What effect will the safer helmets have on the game? Will players feel so comfortable that they will hang over the plate? Will pitchers have to compensate with more brush back pitchers?
These and other issues are explored in my novel A Pitch For Justice, a courtroom drama in the context of a fatal bean ball. http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
Approximately 300 MLB® players chose to wear the Rawlings S100 Pro Comp this season before the league-wide rule goes into effect in 2013. The mandatory use of the updated version of Rawlings S100 batting helmet is outlined in the new, 5-year collective bargaining agreement signed last November by Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association™. This protective provision was specifically included in "Health and Safety" category (Section VIII) of the labor agreement.
Query: What effect will the safer helmets have on the game? Will players feel so comfortable that they will hang over the plate? Will pitchers have to compensate with more brush back pitchers?
These and other issues are explored in my novel A Pitch For Justice, a courtroom drama in the context of a fatal bean ball. http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...
July 5, 2012
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
May 8, 2012
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.
April 15, 2012
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.
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.
