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K.P. Kmitta

Goodreads Author

Born

in LaSalle, IL, The United States

Website

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14035839

Genre

Historical Fiction, Sports, Fiction

Member Since

June 2015

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K. P. Kmitta writes part time, usually reflecting on the world of sports. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Journalism. In addition to his business career, he has been active in many sports, including vintage baseball. He currently lives in Belleville, Illinois with his wife Jayne.

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Please share your experiences related to vintage base ball. How did those activities encourage your writing? I play vintage base ball for the Murphysboro Clarkes who have games scheduled with your hometown Belleville Stags each season. I hope to win a copy of your book and always enjoy the Cardinals/Cubs rivalry. Huzzah and Best Wishes!!

K.P. Kmitta Hi Jeffrey! First, thank you for legitimizing this with the proper spelling of "base ball." I had to really battle with the publisher in order to keep…moreHi Jeffrey! First, thank you for legitimizing this with the proper spelling of "base ball." I had to really battle with the publisher in order to keep the 1860s version.

I won't know until early July who all will win a copy of the book as that is completely out of my hands. I can tell you that I really hope a fellow Vintage player will be picked!

Your Murphysboro team is mentioned in the book, as a matter of fact--including the dog! When I played with the St. Louis Perfectos, your mascot was a very entertaining dog that used to live for playing fetch with the balls. Does he/she still do that?

I had to go into an early retirement from the Perfectos due to too many back and knee issues. REALLY miss it. I had the honor of playing on your home field, though, and managed to hit a ball over the pavilion out in left field.

Playing our home games in Lafayette Park in St. Louis was very instrumental and motivational in the historical fiction portion of the book. This is the same field where, in the post-war 1860s, Jeremiah Fruin, a Civil War veteran, trained men how to play the game. The only difference is, the field was in reverse at that time (home plate back then was where the current day center fielder now stands.) I was very impressed with the attention to detail that was required by the current day vintage teams and players. No matter where we played, the sense of "living history" was strong. It got me thinking about the origins of baseball not only in St. Louis and Chicago, but of the sport in general. It really is quite a story when you consider the returning Civil War vets and the efforts of the West to catch up with the game as it was played in the East. The research for the 1860s part of the book led to a string of historical figures that came together in a fictional depiction as to the origin of the rivalry.

The current day part of the book addresses the rivalry and how it influences family traditions on both sides, especially that of a husband and wife who are on opposite ends of the rivalry. Thrown in for good measure is a an event of a lifetime for the oppressed Cub fan that, initially anyway, has all the appearances of being bitter-sweet. At the end, the lines cross, and the 1860s meet the 2000s.

Thank you again for your interest. Huzzah, and for the love of the game!

P.K. (less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

K.P. Kmitta While writing this book I never had writers block. I think it was because I was writing about a subject that I had a passion about. The fact that it w…moreWhile writing this book I never had writers block. I think it was because I was writing about a subject that I had a passion about. The fact that it was based off of my own experience also kept me going in a forward direction. It was so much fun researching the characters in the 1860's and to wind their story around the modern day plot. I was also fortunate to have great family member support who was willing to offer new ideas when needed.(less)

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