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Throw Like a Woman
Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn't having a whole lot of fun. She's also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she's working in a cubicle instead while trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset. When she was a kid, Brenda's father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn't of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a "test your speed" pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband's face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation – and then more than that. Soon, the Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. She finds herself standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history – and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of "traditionalists," not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda's home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner – at both baseball and life. A funny, poignant, and endearing debut from a writer of rare warmth and humanity, THROW LIKE A WOMAN is a 95-mile-an-hour heater of a novel.
317 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 19, 2015
I picked up this book to read because the title intrigued me. It still does. What would happen if a woman became a pitcher in a major league baseball team? What a great idea for a novel! It may never happen, but who knows? The story was perfect - a lot of baseball, some family, some romance and lots of action! The character, Brenda, was a woman I could admire for taking so much on. And the baseball talk, particularly in the middle of winter, made me wish for spring and going to a KC Royals game (yes, they were mentioned but not in a good way). This is a perfect book for women who love the game and for those who have dreamed of stardom at the plate.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Story Planet for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Story Planet for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.
May 7, 2015
If one were to write a novel about a warrior who somehow entered a walled and fortified city, and sought to function within that city, the first question the writer would have to answer is: How did the hero manage to enter the fortress? A fortress which for nearly two centuries was closed to the hero’s tribe. A fortress whose defenders perhaps catapulted boulders down upon the hero’s tribe if it drew too near. If not boulders, then vats of boiling oil.
The seriousness with which a writer attempts to answer this question is a good sign of the seriousness of the book. In Throw Like a Woman, Susan Petrone answers the question seriously. It is clear that she knows what has happened in both the remote and recent past when female baseball players have pushed the barriers and tried to enter professional baseball, and she uses that knowledge to create a realistic story.
Brenda Haversham is a 40-year-old recently divorced woman with a low center of gravity. As the mother of two sons, ages nine and thirteen, she struggles to provide them with a few of the perks they were used to when their father’s income supported them. Nothing extravagant: a new baseball glove, an mp3 player as a birthday present, a summer camp that they bike to each morning, and, come September, a few new clothes and supplies for school.
When their father, Ed, fails to show up as promised one Saturday morning to take the boys out, Brenda takes them to the park and pitches to them. When she was a child, her father taught her to pitch, and the kinesthetic memory remains with her. She throws heat to her 13-year-old. And when she takes her sons to Progressive Field to see an Indians-Tigers game, they take turns at a Test Your Speed pitching cage. The 13-year-old is clocked at 48mph, the 9-year-old at 33mph. Brenda then takes a turn and her three pitches are clocked at 79, 77, and 82 mph. She is throwing heat because she is imagining throwing at her ex-husband.
An unknown somebody videotapes this, and the next thing Brenda knows, she’s on YouTube. From there the story escalates. She agrees to pitch for a local team. A sports agent pursues her and signs her. She is signed by the Cleveland Indians and sent to their Class A Lake County Captains as a reliever, and from there to the AAA Clippers team in Columbus. And then: she’s called up.
Not necessarily for her pitching, but because her presence will help sell tickets. Of course, her presence will sell tickets only if she pitches, and pitches well.
Petrone is a good writer, one who understands the art and craft of the novel. Her characters are empathetic. The story moves forward easily, with the reader wondering what will happen next. The baseball conflicts are totally real: Brenda faces what every woman in a formerly-all-male profession faces. For starters, that means disdain, disgust, graphic sexual harassment, juvenile fixation on items such as tampons and jock straps, threats of violence, and the ever-present “invisibleness,” as if she’s not there.
Realistically, not every man behaves in this fashion, and Petrone brings to life not only the women haters, but also just regular men who judge other human beings by their performance, not their sex or the color of their skin. There are plenty of these men in baseball, and it feels good to see them in Petrone’s novel — they are signs of hope.
Throwing Like a Woman is about more than baseball, though. Face it: life is about more than baseball. In Petrone’s story we can see the distance between pampered 20-year-olds and wiser-by-life 40-year-olds. Maturity, or lack of, is one of the themes running through the book. I especially liked the character development in Andy, Brenda’s 13-year-old son, as he begins to take steps into adulthood.
Petrone, along with Stephanie Liscio, writes an Indians-fan blog itspronouncedlajaway,.com and although there’s no blog in the novel, Petrone is clearly familiar with the media world. In her novel she creates an ESPN show, “Today in Sports,” with host Charlie Bannister. The “transcripts” appear throughout Throw Like a Woman and are great fun.
Brenda Haversham’s name calls to mind Miss Havisham of Dickens’ Great Expectations. Jilted in love, Miss Havisham turns into a bitter character who grips others too tightly, molding them to her wishes and warping their lives. At the beginning of Throw Like a Woman, Brenda Haversham stands on the cusp of her new life. She, too, has been jilted. How will that play out? She is clearly unhappy. Will she become bitter? Will she mold her children into people who cannot experience love?
Or will she understand that life is like the four-seamer — a failure if you grip it too hard. But if you grip it “loosely, gently, to minimize friction between the hand and the ball,” the pitch will fly like a bird.
The seriousness with which a writer attempts to answer this question is a good sign of the seriousness of the book. In Throw Like a Woman, Susan Petrone answers the question seriously. It is clear that she knows what has happened in both the remote and recent past when female baseball players have pushed the barriers and tried to enter professional baseball, and she uses that knowledge to create a realistic story.
Brenda Haversham is a 40-year-old recently divorced woman with a low center of gravity. As the mother of two sons, ages nine and thirteen, she struggles to provide them with a few of the perks they were used to when their father’s income supported them. Nothing extravagant: a new baseball glove, an mp3 player as a birthday present, a summer camp that they bike to each morning, and, come September, a few new clothes and supplies for school.
When their father, Ed, fails to show up as promised one Saturday morning to take the boys out, Brenda takes them to the park and pitches to them. When she was a child, her father taught her to pitch, and the kinesthetic memory remains with her. She throws heat to her 13-year-old. And when she takes her sons to Progressive Field to see an Indians-Tigers game, they take turns at a Test Your Speed pitching cage. The 13-year-old is clocked at 48mph, the 9-year-old at 33mph. Brenda then takes a turn and her three pitches are clocked at 79, 77, and 82 mph. She is throwing heat because she is imagining throwing at her ex-husband.
An unknown somebody videotapes this, and the next thing Brenda knows, she’s on YouTube. From there the story escalates. She agrees to pitch for a local team. A sports agent pursues her and signs her. She is signed by the Cleveland Indians and sent to their Class A Lake County Captains as a reliever, and from there to the AAA Clippers team in Columbus. And then: she’s called up.
Not necessarily for her pitching, but because her presence will help sell tickets. Of course, her presence will sell tickets only if she pitches, and pitches well.
Petrone is a good writer, one who understands the art and craft of the novel. Her characters are empathetic. The story moves forward easily, with the reader wondering what will happen next. The baseball conflicts are totally real: Brenda faces what every woman in a formerly-all-male profession faces. For starters, that means disdain, disgust, graphic sexual harassment, juvenile fixation on items such as tampons and jock straps, threats of violence, and the ever-present “invisibleness,” as if she’s not there.
Realistically, not every man behaves in this fashion, and Petrone brings to life not only the women haters, but also just regular men who judge other human beings by their performance, not their sex or the color of their skin. There are plenty of these men in baseball, and it feels good to see them in Petrone’s novel — they are signs of hope.
Throwing Like a Woman is about more than baseball, though. Face it: life is about more than baseball. In Petrone’s story we can see the distance between pampered 20-year-olds and wiser-by-life 40-year-olds. Maturity, or lack of, is one of the themes running through the book. I especially liked the character development in Andy, Brenda’s 13-year-old son, as he begins to take steps into adulthood.
Petrone, along with Stephanie Liscio, writes an Indians-fan blog itspronouncedlajaway,.com and although there’s no blog in the novel, Petrone is clearly familiar with the media world. In her novel she creates an ESPN show, “Today in Sports,” with host Charlie Bannister. The “transcripts” appear throughout Throw Like a Woman and are great fun.
Brenda Haversham’s name calls to mind Miss Havisham of Dickens’ Great Expectations. Jilted in love, Miss Havisham turns into a bitter character who grips others too tightly, molding them to her wishes and warping their lives. At the beginning of Throw Like a Woman, Brenda Haversham stands on the cusp of her new life. She, too, has been jilted. How will that play out? She is clearly unhappy. Will she become bitter? Will she mold her children into people who cannot experience love?
Or will she understand that life is like the four-seamer — a failure if you grip it too hard. But if you grip it “loosely, gently, to minimize friction between the hand and the ball,” the pitch will fly like a bird.
December 30, 2014
I had no idea until I read this that women were actually banned from baseball in 1952 by a Ford Frick. What a fricker. ;) I had realized there were no women in MLB and had wondered why and thought it was because of body types/strength, but it's really just men have irrational fears about women. Don't they always?
This is by far the best woman-in-baseball novel I've read and I have attempted to read a few others. It's fun, funny, full of realism, features a heroine every woman can relate to, has a dash of feminism, and even has a moral, though it's a tough one for me to actually put into words. It's about needing to find joy in all you do, replacing negative feelings with positive and not miss a beat. It's about not pre-labeling people or not giving them a chance, especially when it's our ex-husbands...
Mothers will relate as Brenda juggles a traveling career with missing her kids (and sometimes her kids have tantrums). Divorcees will relate as Brenda dukes it out with her ex, about custody, visitation... Women everywhere will relate as Brenda deals with "frickers" who protest at every game, coworkers who leave nasty jockstraps in her locker. Feminists will relate as Brenda becomes the first ever woman in the major leagues and is right proud of it...sometimes...in between jockstraps and traveling and sport bra ads...
People will relate, period, as the life of a baseball player is shown to be not just fun and games, but--gasp!--work!
Truth is I'm having a hard time writing a review for this one. I just really liked it. I think I spent five days reading it and for me, that's pretty good. I usually get impatient after three. And no, it's not too long or even slow. It's just right. I liked the surprised bursts of humor and how Brenda handles everything in the end and what she takes away from it all. I especially just loved a woman in baseball, striking sexist men out as she inwardly cursed at them for the injustices done to women. And yet, she's not OTT, or perfect, or unbelievable. Quite the opposite. This heroine could you..or me. Most of the time, heroines in male-dominated roles are made a bit too hard, or too ridiculous to be real. The author did a superb job here.
Full review and favorite quote: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
This is by far the best woman-in-baseball novel I've read and I have attempted to read a few others. It's fun, funny, full of realism, features a heroine every woman can relate to, has a dash of feminism, and even has a moral, though it's a tough one for me to actually put into words. It's about needing to find joy in all you do, replacing negative feelings with positive and not miss a beat. It's about not pre-labeling people or not giving them a chance, especially when it's our ex-husbands...
Mothers will relate as Brenda juggles a traveling career with missing her kids (and sometimes her kids have tantrums). Divorcees will relate as Brenda dukes it out with her ex, about custody, visitation... Women everywhere will relate as Brenda deals with "frickers" who protest at every game, coworkers who leave nasty jockstraps in her locker. Feminists will relate as Brenda becomes the first ever woman in the major leagues and is right proud of it...sometimes...in between jockstraps and traveling and sport bra ads...
People will relate, period, as the life of a baseball player is shown to be not just fun and games, but--gasp!--work!
Truth is I'm having a hard time writing a review for this one. I just really liked it. I think I spent five days reading it and for me, that's pretty good. I usually get impatient after three. And no, it's not too long or even slow. It's just right. I liked the surprised bursts of humor and how Brenda handles everything in the end and what she takes away from it all. I especially just loved a woman in baseball, striking sexist men out as she inwardly cursed at them for the injustices done to women. And yet, she's not OTT, or perfect, or unbelievable. Quite the opposite. This heroine could you..or me. Most of the time, heroines in male-dominated roles are made a bit too hard, or too ridiculous to be real. The author did a superb job here.
Full review and favorite quote: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
November 13, 2014
A Whole New Level of Brave
One of my favorite sports is baseball. I’m not a die-hard fanatic of the sport, but thoroughly enjoyed reading “Throw like A Woman,” because of the realistic angle it portrayed. It featured Brenda Haversham as a strong female who reached for a goal not many people would have the guts to pursue: a career in Major League Baseball.
Brenda isn’t any female lead character. She’s motivated, intelligent, and older, with two rambunctious boys and an ex who chooses not to be involved in their lives. She won me over to her side as the story opened with her envisioning her ex’s face as the ball’s target. This idea might seem harsh, but when you read the story, you’ll see she has every right to feel the anger she does toward her ex, Ed.
I wanted to strangle Ed’s character, especially toward the end, but Brenda’s sons were cute as heck in a destructive and fun-loving kind of way.
It was amazing to read about the different team members, each of them stood out in a small but significant way. They are the type of characters who you want to know more about. My favorite team character was Stuart, from the minor leagues. He has a superstition about touching people. Also, the rapport (bullying) from a few Major League players worried me until I realized Brenda could hold her own with them. I loved how the bullying issue panned out, in the end.
“Throw like A Woman” is packed with humor and grown-up words your mother would insist only hell’s angels would say (if hell’s angels played for the Cleveland Indians and had a woman’s body, heart, balls, and brains.)
I’m a sucker for a romance story, and the sweet romance in this novel was outstanding. The sparks between Brenda and Charlie knock this story out of the park. A must read for those who love inspirational stories based on breaking societal barriers.
~Book Escape Reviews (Laurie Kozlowski)~
www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
*--- Review disclosure --- "Throw like a Woman" ARC was provided by the author and publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
One of my favorite sports is baseball. I’m not a die-hard fanatic of the sport, but thoroughly enjoyed reading “Throw like A Woman,” because of the realistic angle it portrayed. It featured Brenda Haversham as a strong female who reached for a goal not many people would have the guts to pursue: a career in Major League Baseball.
Brenda isn’t any female lead character. She’s motivated, intelligent, and older, with two rambunctious boys and an ex who chooses not to be involved in their lives. She won me over to her side as the story opened with her envisioning her ex’s face as the ball’s target. This idea might seem harsh, but when you read the story, you’ll see she has every right to feel the anger she does toward her ex, Ed.
I wanted to strangle Ed’s character, especially toward the end, but Brenda’s sons were cute as heck in a destructive and fun-loving kind of way.
It was amazing to read about the different team members, each of them stood out in a small but significant way. They are the type of characters who you want to know more about. My favorite team character was Stuart, from the minor leagues. He has a superstition about touching people. Also, the rapport (bullying) from a few Major League players worried me until I realized Brenda could hold her own with them. I loved how the bullying issue panned out, in the end.
“Throw like A Woman” is packed with humor and grown-up words your mother would insist only hell’s angels would say (if hell’s angels played for the Cleveland Indians and had a woman’s body, heart, balls, and brains.)
I’m a sucker for a romance story, and the sweet romance in this novel was outstanding. The sparks between Brenda and Charlie knock this story out of the park. A must read for those who love inspirational stories based on breaking societal barriers.
~Book Escape Reviews (Laurie Kozlowski)~
www.bookescapereviews.wordpress.com
*--- Review disclosure --- "Throw like a Woman" ARC was provided by the author and publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
October 13, 2022
Throw Like A Woman by Susan Petrone
Enjoy this read because it's about baseball. A mother with two boys, divorced and she's on the baseball team and was caught throwing 82mph pitch.
It's the internet sensation. She enjoys it and the time she spent with her father learning how to do the various throws.
She was a graphic designer but after the divorce and unsure if the child support would come to pay the bills she goes back to work, data entry at the insurance company.
Dan, the ex, doesn’t always take the boys on weekends, throwing her schedule off. She's got a mom that will come over after school to feed the boys and make sure they do their homework.
Petitions are signed and she's up to try out for the Cleveland Indians and does well, well enough to get a contract, contingent on a physical.
There are obstacles and she just recalls her father’s advice
Tradition and baseball and NO female players....is some of what she's up against and her kids as she's on the road now 8 months out of the year...
She just wants a better life for them...
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
Enjoy this read because it's about baseball. A mother with two boys, divorced and she's on the baseball team and was caught throwing 82mph pitch.
It's the internet sensation. She enjoys it and the time she spent with her father learning how to do the various throws.
She was a graphic designer but after the divorce and unsure if the child support would come to pay the bills she goes back to work, data entry at the insurance company.
Dan, the ex, doesn’t always take the boys on weekends, throwing her schedule off. She's got a mom that will come over after school to feed the boys and make sure they do their homework.
Petitions are signed and she's up to try out for the Cleveland Indians and does well, well enough to get a contract, contingent on a physical.
There are obstacles and she just recalls her father’s advice
Tradition and baseball and NO female players....is some of what she's up against and her kids as she's on the road now 8 months out of the year...
She just wants a better life for them...
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
July 25, 2014
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of this book. I loved it! I'm not a baseball fan in particular, but you don't have to be to thoroughly enjoy this story. It's not a story about baseball really but the story of a woman of middle age coming to terms with where she is at in her life (divorced, mother of 2), what she wants and also re-discovering a sense of self-worth and self-confidence. It is a struggle that many women share, myself included. It would make a great movie!!Throw Like a Woman
March 25, 2015
This is a great story! The baseline story is about a middle age woman that is drafted by a Major League Baseball team as a pitcher. The book follows her victory as well as every defeat - be it by her own family or fellow team members. This book if full of poignant stories about what the experience does to her life (and those around her). It also addresses her anger and the feeling of inadequacy that she feels as a mother.
A good read!
A good read!
November 25, 2017
My husband reads to me in the car each weekday during our commute. I honestly could not wait to get behind the wheel so I could listen to Brenda Haversham's story. She's quite the heroine. On the surface, it's a story about a woman pitching in the major leagues, but it's really about Brenda appreciating her strength and her gifts--wherever they take her. The scenes in the clubhouse and on the fields with her mostly disgusting male teammates are hilarious. I can't wait for the movie!
February 28, 2022
It was a fun, light hearted read.
November 16, 2017
A woman a 40 year old woman drafted to pitch in baseball majors after her utube video of her pitching.is noticedyes stand up & cheer Delicious book for baseball fans for all women with dreams add a touch of romance .Anyone looking for a good read a book that will stay on your mind after you finish grab this book
March 25, 2015
Review originally posted on my blog www.livinglifewithjoy.com
Living in Southern California, this feels like one of the most appropriate books you could pick up right now. There’s a ripple of excitement all around me as baseball season kicks off. I’ll be completely honest and let you know straight off the bat that I’m not the biggest baseball fan. I don’t have anything against it really, more along the lines of not being a major fan. I’m more of a hockey girl. Regardless if you’re a baseball fan or not, this is a great novel to get into.
On another note, completely unrelated to baseball [or is it?], I wouldn’t classify myself as a feminist, but I do believe in equality for all people, regardless of many factors such as race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status… and the list goes on. I believe that all people should be able to strive to make their dreams happen regardless of any of these factors and they should be judged on their strengths, attitude and tenacity to achieve these dreams rather than by any of the factors mentioned above.
Throw Like a Woman is a story about a woman getting the chance to play professional baseball, a classically male-only sport. The main character Brenda uses her anger, frustration and rage against her ex husband Ed to throw well. She channels all of her rage into a tunnel like focus and throws amazingly fast pitches. It’s hilarious how she bottles up and calls upon her anger and rage to pitch well. What will she do if the anger fizzles out? Will people ever become supportive of her, a woman playing a man’s sport?
Although it wasn’t my usual pick [it was a women’s fiction novel and couldn’t even come close to being considered chick-lit], I enjoyed this novel. Sometimes it’s good to step outside of your usual comfort zone and try something different. This was one of those times and it was thoroughly interesting, captivating and at times humorous. Filled with real life sticky situations of love, life and figuring it all out; divorce, children becoming teenagers, finding time for your family, having people in your life you can lean on when you need them, taking a job for financial security to care for your family and above all, dealing with people putting you down just because you’re a woman.
The biggest theme in this novel is the idea that women should be able to do anything a man does if she wants to. There was a lot of loud opposition to what Brenda was doing by playing ball with the big boys, but there was also a lot of support for her too. She was able to serve as inspiration for young girls everywhere with a dream, drive and determination to pursue their passion in a man’s world. I wouldn’t classify myself as a feminist but I believe in equality for all. You should be considered by your ability and drive to succeed; by your hard work and achievements. It’s terrible that people put Brenda down and told her to get out just because she was a woman. It should be a basic human kindness that we accept others for who they are and what they can do rather than just the nature of who they are in terms of factors that they cannot change. Fabulous read that I highly recommend to anyone that’s interested in reading a well-written story about love, life and learning how to tackle life’s little curve balls.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Receiving novels free of charge in no way reflects on my honest opinion and no monetary compensation was provided for my review.
Living in Southern California, this feels like one of the most appropriate books you could pick up right now. There’s a ripple of excitement all around me as baseball season kicks off. I’ll be completely honest and let you know straight off the bat that I’m not the biggest baseball fan. I don’t have anything against it really, more along the lines of not being a major fan. I’m more of a hockey girl. Regardless if you’re a baseball fan or not, this is a great novel to get into.
On another note, completely unrelated to baseball [or is it?], I wouldn’t classify myself as a feminist, but I do believe in equality for all people, regardless of many factors such as race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status… and the list goes on. I believe that all people should be able to strive to make their dreams happen regardless of any of these factors and they should be judged on their strengths, attitude and tenacity to achieve these dreams rather than by any of the factors mentioned above.
Throw Like a Woman is a story about a woman getting the chance to play professional baseball, a classically male-only sport. The main character Brenda uses her anger, frustration and rage against her ex husband Ed to throw well. She channels all of her rage into a tunnel like focus and throws amazingly fast pitches. It’s hilarious how she bottles up and calls upon her anger and rage to pitch well. What will she do if the anger fizzles out? Will people ever become supportive of her, a woman playing a man’s sport?
Although it wasn’t my usual pick [it was a women’s fiction novel and couldn’t even come close to being considered chick-lit], I enjoyed this novel. Sometimes it’s good to step outside of your usual comfort zone and try something different. This was one of those times and it was thoroughly interesting, captivating and at times humorous. Filled with real life sticky situations of love, life and figuring it all out; divorce, children becoming teenagers, finding time for your family, having people in your life you can lean on when you need them, taking a job for financial security to care for your family and above all, dealing with people putting you down just because you’re a woman.
The biggest theme in this novel is the idea that women should be able to do anything a man does if she wants to. There was a lot of loud opposition to what Brenda was doing by playing ball with the big boys, but there was also a lot of support for her too. She was able to serve as inspiration for young girls everywhere with a dream, drive and determination to pursue their passion in a man’s world. I wouldn’t classify myself as a feminist but I believe in equality for all. You should be considered by your ability and drive to succeed; by your hard work and achievements. It’s terrible that people put Brenda down and told her to get out just because she was a woman. It should be a basic human kindness that we accept others for who they are and what they can do rather than just the nature of who they are in terms of factors that they cannot change. Fabulous read that I highly recommend to anyone that’s interested in reading a well-written story about love, life and learning how to tackle life’s little curve balls.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Receiving novels free of charge in no way reflects on my honest opinion and no monetary compensation was provided for my review.
October 10, 2019
I bought this book at a local bookstore (yes the brick and mortar kind) on the recommendation of one of their staff members. If you like baseball you’re in for a treat. The book is just fun to read and some of the descriptions about fastballs and baseball in general made me smile, sort of bringing back the kid in me. I loved the descriptions of entering Progressive Field (home of the Indians) because I’d seen it thanks to being a one-time fantasy camper. And it’s not just the baseball that made me like this book, the woman who is the main character had plenty of real-life stuff to deal with, and she showed how real people handle things. I heartily recommend the book.
January 6, 2015
Susan Petrone hits a grand slam with this fast, real and fascinating novel. Baseball provides the background as she tells the tale of Brenda Haversham, a single mom struggling to raise two boys after separating from her disaffected husband Ed. Oh, did I mention she can pitch a baseball from the mound at 82 MPH? This novel is a treat for baseball lovers and newbies alike. "Discovered" by baseball pros when a YouTube videos surfaces of her practice pitching as a lark in the baseball cage at a Cleveland Indians game, playing baseball becomes a driving force for change in her life. Before she can blink, Brenda lands an agent, endorsement deals and quits her dreary data-entry clerk job for financially security for her and her boys as the first female major league baseball player. But, all the good stuff doesn't come without its challenges, including absentee parenting, anger towards the ex, possible romantic entanglements, media scrutiny, fan backlash, team mate harassment, homesickness, sexism, and self-esteem issues. The author has written a novel rich in its characterizations from Brenda's struggles as a working mom through her older sons struggles as a teenager. The relationships and events in this novel are carefully crafted and multi-dimensional, even the philandering ex-husband. Brenda is a strong and smart women with a sense of humor and everything going for her, but she still doubts her abilities to deliver in baseball and have a fulfilling relationships with a man. I couldn't put this book down. This novel makes me want to see a woman in major leagues baseball, but in the mean time, I'll settle for a movie and a sequel to see what happens next to Brenda and family.
January 8, 2015
Brenda Haversham is a forty-year-old divorced mother of two boys who is struggling to make ends meet. She's working in an insurance company, having abandoned her art and her graphic design career when she married. She's never played baseball except with her sons and, long ago, with her late father.
But her father taught her to throw a mean fastball. And curveball. And sinker. And a few other pitches.
On a Little League outing with her sons to a Cleveland Indians game, she takes a turn in the pitcher's cage, and one of her pitches is clocked at 82 miles an hour. Her son's coach recruits her onto his own recreational league baseball team, and she unknowingly takes the first steps on a wild trip to becoming a female Jackie Robinson.
I love Brenda, and I love this book. Brenda is a flawed but fundamentally decent human being, a loving mother, and a tough ball player. She struggles with her personal demons in an utterly recognizable way. The other characters are also layered, human, and understandable. Thirteen-year-old Andy is as difficult as any kid trying to make that transition from child to adult, but I suspect most parents would give a lot to have a son or daughter maturing as Andy is.
It's a bumpy ride for Brenda and everyone around her, but an engrossing and ultimately very satisfying one.
Highly recommended.
But her father taught her to throw a mean fastball. And curveball. And sinker. And a few other pitches.
On a Little League outing with her sons to a Cleveland Indians game, she takes a turn in the pitcher's cage, and one of her pitches is clocked at 82 miles an hour. Her son's coach recruits her onto his own recreational league baseball team, and she unknowingly takes the first steps on a wild trip to becoming a female Jackie Robinson.
I love Brenda, and I love this book. Brenda is a flawed but fundamentally decent human being, a loving mother, and a tough ball player. She struggles with her personal demons in an utterly recognizable way. The other characters are also layered, human, and understandable. Thirteen-year-old Andy is as difficult as any kid trying to make that transition from child to adult, but I suspect most parents would give a lot to have a son or daughter maturing as Andy is.
It's a bumpy ride for Brenda and everyone around her, but an engrossing and ultimately very satisfying one.
Highly recommended.
January 13, 2015
4.5 stars! Loved it. Read it in one sitting.
Review:
This is not my usual genre, but I’m a sports and Ohio fan, so thought I'd give it a try, and I’m so glad I did.
It was funny—loved the sports zingers—with a little bit of romance, and painted what I think is an accurate portrayal of what would happen if a woman not only tried out for a major league baseball franchise but actually made the team.
I couldn't put it down and ended up unintentionally reading it in one sitting—all night long, literally. 9 am saw me hitting chapter 23, so I continued through to the end. I really enjoyed this story, and it was definitely worth staying up all night to read.
I adored the Charlie character. He reminded me so much of one of the local Ohio sportscasters. I found all the characters vibrant and interesting, and the heroine read and felt real.
I will definitely be reading Susan Petrone’s next book. I highly recommend this to all sports fans, whether they be male or female. I’d also recommend it to sports romance fans and romantic comedy fans. But don’t worry men, there’s just a splash of romance here and there, so you can enjoy it and still keep your man card status intact.
My only issue? I’m upset because the NetGalley copy I read is an expiring DRM, and I won't be able to come back and re-read again and again.
Source: NetGalley
Review:
This is not my usual genre, but I’m a sports and Ohio fan, so thought I'd give it a try, and I’m so glad I did.
It was funny—loved the sports zingers—with a little bit of romance, and painted what I think is an accurate portrayal of what would happen if a woman not only tried out for a major league baseball franchise but actually made the team.
I couldn't put it down and ended up unintentionally reading it in one sitting—all night long, literally. 9 am saw me hitting chapter 23, so I continued through to the end. I really enjoyed this story, and it was definitely worth staying up all night to read.
I adored the Charlie character. He reminded me so much of one of the local Ohio sportscasters. I found all the characters vibrant and interesting, and the heroine read and felt real.
I will definitely be reading Susan Petrone’s next book. I highly recommend this to all sports fans, whether they be male or female. I’d also recommend it to sports romance fans and romantic comedy fans. But don’t worry men, there’s just a splash of romance here and there, so you can enjoy it and still keep your man card status intact.
My only issue? I’m upset because the NetGalley copy I read is an expiring DRM, and I won't be able to come back and re-read again and again.
Source: NetGalley
January 16, 2015
I love sports stories, baseball, romance and a well resolved story with problems. I got it all with Susan Petrone's novel, Throw Like a Woman.
This was women's fiction at it's finest. It was easy to relate and empathize with a hard working single mom -- her anger over a cheating husband, an ended marriage, and trying to re-establish a family of three from four. Anger was Brenda Haversham's defining word.
This story was told in a realistic fashion....how upset would the world of baseball and men only sports be if women were allowed "in"? This brought all kinds of issues front and center. Some of Brenda's reactions were humorous and some situations were downright terrifying....not only for Brenda, but also for her kids.
There was definitely a ring of truth though with the reality of the heart of a woman. Brenda's heart was determined to be successful, support her family, hide her wounded pride and any weaknesses from her coaches and teammates, and yet show compassion to her teammates. Eventually she would even calm herself enough to listen to her ex and resolve the anger within. Would she still be able to pitch without it?
Find out for yourself in this fast paced enjoyable story about the first woman to join the major leagues and how she survives it.
This was women's fiction at it's finest. It was easy to relate and empathize with a hard working single mom -- her anger over a cheating husband, an ended marriage, and trying to re-establish a family of three from four. Anger was Brenda Haversham's defining word.
This story was told in a realistic fashion....how upset would the world of baseball and men only sports be if women were allowed "in"? This brought all kinds of issues front and center. Some of Brenda's reactions were humorous and some situations were downright terrifying....not only for Brenda, but also for her kids.
There was definitely a ring of truth though with the reality of the heart of a woman. Brenda's heart was determined to be successful, support her family, hide her wounded pride and any weaknesses from her coaches and teammates, and yet show compassion to her teammates. Eventually she would even calm herself enough to listen to her ex and resolve the anger within. Would she still be able to pitch without it?
Find out for yourself in this fast paced enjoyable story about the first woman to join the major leagues and how she survives it.
March 9, 2015
I’ll admit that I decided to give this one a go because I was that girl many, many, many moons ago who played softball and daydreamed just tiny bit about what it would be like to play in the MLB so my curiosity was piqued to see how this particular story would play out and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Throw Like a Woman isn’t your typical Cinderella type story, while there is a happy ending, the book gives you what I think is a realistic and honest look at what could possibly happen if a woman should ever make it into the world of major league baseball. All the various reactions to Brenda going to the bigs, from her family and friends to the fans, the players and even Brenda’s own reactions to everything going on, felt real and Petrone did a great job at weaving all the highs and lows into the story.
This may not need to be said, but there is A LOT of baseball in this, so if you aren’t a fan, even a fairweather one, it may be a bit much for you and go over your head but there are a lot of great moments in this that will have you groaning and laughing that make it worth while, like the whole P.F. Chang fiasco.
~ I received a copy from The Story Plant via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
This may not need to be said, but there is A LOT of baseball in this, so if you aren’t a fan, even a fairweather one, it may be a bit much for you and go over your head but there are a lot of great moments in this that will have you groaning and laughing that make it worth while, like the whole P.F. Chang fiasco.
~ I received a copy from The Story Plant via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
March 11, 2015
This book wouldn't have been my first choice to read since I usually read historically based fiction and romance, but I'm glad I read it. The concept of a woman pitching in the major leagues is a novel idea. I found the characters very engaging and highly recommend reading it.
Brenda Haversham is a divorced 40 year old mother of 2 boys.When she was a kid, Brenda's father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn't of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a "test your speed" pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband's face on the other end, the harder she throws. Can a woman make it in the Major Leagues?
I received this book free of charge from Netgalley so I could leave an honest review.
Brenda Haversham is a divorced 40 year old mother of 2 boys.When she was a kid, Brenda's father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn't of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a "test your speed" pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband's face on the other end, the harder she throws. Can a woman make it in the Major Leagues?
I received this book free of charge from Netgalley so I could leave an honest review.
May 28, 2015
XXX I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway from Susan Petrone.. I began reading it after I watched the Ticker Tape Parade in New York for the World Champ Women's Soccer Team - YEAH! Within a page or two, I was hooked. Thank you for sharing this novel with me, Ms. Petrone.
Brenda Haversham is Everymom. And EverySingleMom. She is every woman out there who buried their childhood dreams and chose to be a parent instead. For a whole lot of us, it was a choice - and not always an easy one.
I loved this story. This was a book I couldn't put down until it was finished - and very satisfactorily. I cannot wait for this to really happen! Pick up a copy, please, and give it a read. I promise you will love it.
Brenda Haversham is Everymom. And EverySingleMom. She is every woman out there who buried their childhood dreams and chose to be a parent instead. For a whole lot of us, it was a choice - and not always an easy one.
I loved this story. This was a book I couldn't put down until it was finished - and very satisfactorily. I cannot wait for this to really happen! Pick up a copy, please, and give it a read. I promise you will love it.
May 3, 2015
The whole book, from premise to conclusion, is fresh and believable. Susan has really hit a home run with this book! The bits where the sportscasters are talking are particularly true-to-life. I completely recommend this book.
Just finished rereading it and it's still great! When I read it for the first time a couple of years ago, I loved it, but as I'd also been an early reader, thought there might be a little "it's great to see it in print" to my review. Not so! I remembered liking the book, and some of the main plot twists, but as a nearly fresh read it reached right out and grabbed me all over again!
Thank you, Susan, and keep 'em coming!
Just finished rereading it and it's still great! When I read it for the first time a couple of years ago, I loved it, but as I'd also been an early reader, thought there might be a little "it's great to see it in print" to my review. Not so! I remembered liking the book, and some of the main plot twists, but as a nearly fresh read it reached right out and grabbed me all over again!
Thank you, Susan, and keep 'em coming!
April 9, 2016
A true-feeling story about an improbable series of events that breaks the gender barrier in professional baseball. If you like baseball you'll find much to like here. If you love baseball (even if you are a guy) you will love the inside baseball accuracy and deep heart of this novel by someone who knows the game as well as anyone - but who also has lived a life. Susan Petrone achieves an unassisted triple play of great story, enough spot-on sports data and lingo to satisfy, and a diverse cast of true-to-life characters of depth and humanity. Even if you know nothing about baseball, you'll love this story - and you won't have to look anything up.
July 2, 2015
This was an amazing adventure about breaking the gender barrier in baseball. About how when you are first (just ask Jackie Robinson), you are almost expected to fail. The only way to shut up your haters is to do your job (ie..hitting or pitching the ball). I love how when Brenda finally loses her control freak tendencies, is when she actually finds she is in more control. A great book, not just for Cleveland Indians fans, and not just for women. For anyone who thinks if you are a great athlete, you should have a chance. No matter your age or gender.
February 2, 2019
An absolute cracker of a book! I savoured every moment of this wonderful novel. A brilliant escape into the possibility of a woman in the majors. It was so refreshing and inspiring to inhabit Brenda Haversham’s world for a little while. Great humour throughout. I’ll definitely be rereading this one in years to come. Thank you, Susan Petrone. Time to go play catch with my kids at the local park now.
January 6, 2018
Full disclosure: Susan is a friend, so I was prepared to like the book. But within two chapters I was way past that and immersed in Brenda's world and struggles. Susan knows baseball well, and that knowledge.permeates every scene. The characters are full-bodied, the pace sharp, and the ending resonant.
July 22, 2016
I have just finished reading this book and it is one of the funniest books I have read!!!!
I just couldn't stop laughing especially when she plays pranks on the guys like a thanks for the joke you played on me!!!!!
Pretty cool for a girl to be playing Major League Baseball!!!
I just couldn't stop laughing especially when she plays pranks on the guys like a thanks for the joke you played on me!!!!!
Pretty cool for a girl to be playing Major League Baseball!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2015
Very enjoyable read.
February 24, 2016
I am a 55 year old male. I thoroughly enjoyed Throw Like a Woman by Susan Petrone and recommend it anyone who enjoys a well-written story of triumph. If you like baseball, you’ll love it even more, but you can enjoy this book even if you’re not a fan of the national past time. The book explores themes of feminism, and they’re handled well, without a sledge hammer. The trials of Petrone’s hero, Brenda Haversham, are quite believable. You will yourself empathizing with Brenda, whether you’re male or female, and rooting for her to succeed.
Brenda Haversham is a forty year old divorced mother supporting 9 and 12 year old sons. Her ex-husband Ed left Brenda a year or so ago and has been very uninvolved in his son’s lives, though Brenda does her best to shield this fact from them.
Brenda is struggling to make ends meet. She takes her sons to an Indians game and pitches at a booth on the concourse equipped with a radar gun. When her fastball is caught on camera and uploaded, it goes viral, beginning Brenda’s journey to The Show, as Petrone puts it.
The premise of the book, a woman earning a spot on a big league roster was well described on the inside jacket. So, when I opened the book I knew what I was getting in to. Petrone hooked me right from the very first page, when Brenda described learning to throw the four seamer from her father. I found myself wanting Brenda to succeed. I wanted Brenda to make it to the big leagues and teach the male dullards infesting baseball a lesson.
Petrone’s book is very timely. The barriers to diversity surrounding sports are finally crumbling. The NFL and NBA both have female coaches for the first time ever. Both leagues have openly gay players. Will a woman ever made the major leagues? I don’t know, but I’d like to think that it could.
Petrone does an excellent job bringing everywoman Brenda Haversham to life, making me believe that success like Brenda’s could happen. Brenda faces realistic challenges. A son growing into manhood, who’s resentful of his mother’s success. Another son, excited by Brenda’s fame who also misses her terribly when she’s on the road helping her team to victories. She has feelings of anger for her ex-husband, the chauvinist ballplayers met on her journey,, and the unforgiving baseball fans who blame her for ruining the integrity of the sport. Worries about her ability to provide for her family and her ability to juggle her dreams and desires press her from all sides.
Brenda finds allies impressed with her guttiness, from America’s beloved TV baseball anchor to the wise cracking players she wins over, to the unfailing support of her mother and childhood friend. Brenda takes on her critics, and opposing team batters who want to teach her that a woman doesn’t belong on the mound, and schools shows them all how to be a winner.
The book is well paced, from the initial scenes introducing Brenda to the reader, to her journey from the recreational leagues of Northeast Ohio, to sitting in the Cleveland Indian’s dugout in the thick of a pennant race. Petrone introduces a slew of interesting supporting characters along the way, from romantic interests to teammates to co-workers and friends and family, each of whom wants Brenda to succeed or fail, or perhaps both for well explained reasons. I particularly liked Petrone’s technique of closing each chapter with a national baseball update from that aforementioned beloved anchor. These vignettes operated like a Greek chorus, reinforcing the action of chapter with a hint towards Brenda’s future.
Give Throw Like a Woman a try. I think you’ll like it.
Brenda Haversham is a forty year old divorced mother supporting 9 and 12 year old sons. Her ex-husband Ed left Brenda a year or so ago and has been very uninvolved in his son’s lives, though Brenda does her best to shield this fact from them.
Brenda is struggling to make ends meet. She takes her sons to an Indians game and pitches at a booth on the concourse equipped with a radar gun. When her fastball is caught on camera and uploaded, it goes viral, beginning Brenda’s journey to The Show, as Petrone puts it.
The premise of the book, a woman earning a spot on a big league roster was well described on the inside jacket. So, when I opened the book I knew what I was getting in to. Petrone hooked me right from the very first page, when Brenda described learning to throw the four seamer from her father. I found myself wanting Brenda to succeed. I wanted Brenda to make it to the big leagues and teach the male dullards infesting baseball a lesson.
Petrone’s book is very timely. The barriers to diversity surrounding sports are finally crumbling. The NFL and NBA both have female coaches for the first time ever. Both leagues have openly gay players. Will a woman ever made the major leagues? I don’t know, but I’d like to think that it could.
Petrone does an excellent job bringing everywoman Brenda Haversham to life, making me believe that success like Brenda’s could happen. Brenda faces realistic challenges. A son growing into manhood, who’s resentful of his mother’s success. Another son, excited by Brenda’s fame who also misses her terribly when she’s on the road helping her team to victories. She has feelings of anger for her ex-husband, the chauvinist ballplayers met on her journey,, and the unforgiving baseball fans who blame her for ruining the integrity of the sport. Worries about her ability to provide for her family and her ability to juggle her dreams and desires press her from all sides.
Brenda finds allies impressed with her guttiness, from America’s beloved TV baseball anchor to the wise cracking players she wins over, to the unfailing support of her mother and childhood friend. Brenda takes on her critics, and opposing team batters who want to teach her that a woman doesn’t belong on the mound, and schools shows them all how to be a winner.
The book is well paced, from the initial scenes introducing Brenda to the reader, to her journey from the recreational leagues of Northeast Ohio, to sitting in the Cleveland Indian’s dugout in the thick of a pennant race. Petrone introduces a slew of interesting supporting characters along the way, from romantic interests to teammates to co-workers and friends and family, each of whom wants Brenda to succeed or fail, or perhaps both for well explained reasons. I particularly liked Petrone’s technique of closing each chapter with a national baseball update from that aforementioned beloved anchor. These vignettes operated like a Greek chorus, reinforcing the action of chapter with a hint towards Brenda’s future.
Give Throw Like a Woman a try. I think you’ll like it.
March 11, 2019
Brenda learns to pitch hardball from her dad as a child, but never plays high school or college baseball. Who would believe that she would tryout for the Cleveland Indians? I loved her spunky, badass character. This is a great sports story, and an inspiring novel for women of all types.
September 23, 2021
Giving it 4 stars but it wasn't quite as good for me as the first one of hers "The Heebie Jeebie Girl". The Heebie Jeebie Girl was a little quirky and I just found out was actually based on a true story. This one is not quirky but is quite interesting giving some info on what goes on with the players. It is baseball season, my team is trying for the playoffs, just watched "The Natural" again and it seemed like a good time to try this novel since I fell in love with the first one of hers I read. So as I said, it is good but doesn't quite live up to the first one of hers; I'm going to read another one and see how it fares.
February 20, 2015
How cool would it be to be in the stands cheering for 40-something, single-mom Brenda Haversham who's on the pitcher's mound for her beloved Cleveland Indians?
Pretty cool, I have to say.
But even better was cozying up on the couch and immersing myself in the imperfect, messy life of that same woman. From between the covers of Susan Petrone's novel, Throw Like a Woman, you will discover the whole drama which encompasses Brenda's sudden rise from mom-who-pitches-to-her-sons-in-the-yard to...well... a pitcher on the roster for the Cleveland Indians. (It's amazing what some ex-husband-rage can do for this woman's aim and arm!)
Even though the premise seems far-fetched, Petrone capably encouraged me to suspend my disbelief. The story feels real. This journey for Brenda is not all hot dogs and apple pies, and Brenda is not an un-flawed woman.
I found myself hoping for good things to come her way and bemoaning her screw-ups as Brenda navigated her way through dealings with that lousy ex-husband; an angry, almost-teenage son; a new, intriguing relationship; road-trips; homework; and, of course, some dis-heartening locker room shenanigans.
And Brenda learns. About pitching her pitches. About living her life. About what matters.
YESSS!
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