Wednesday, September 23, 2015

New baseball book available at Amazon.com

New baseball book available at Amazon.com


THE PERFECT GAME is a novel for middle grade readers. It is about a twelve year old boy’s roller coaster experience while playing one season of organized baseball.
It is available in Kindle at Amazon for 99 cents, as well as at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.

Click here for details: http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Game-Christopher-J-ebook/dp/B007R8G6AG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1416258192&sr=1-1&keywords=the+perfect+game+christopher+j

Joey Coltasanti, nicknamed “the professor” by his father, is ambivalent about playing his last year in summer league. A shortstop, he loves baseball and longs to realize his dream of making the town’s all-star team, and then winning enough games to advance to the state’s world series. However to reach this goal he must overcome his own anxiety that blocks his talent from shining through on the field.

Internal concerns are not the only obstacles in Joey’s path. He also has to deal with Mr. K, the coach of his team for the past two years. Mr. K uses sarcasm and intimidation with his players, as well as favoring his own son over Joey and his teammates. Added to the mix is Joey’s new neighbor and friend, twelve year old Mindi. A saxophone-playing member of Mensa, she is also a pitcher in the summer league who mows down opposing hitters with a blazing fastball and pinpoint control.

Joey decides to play, with events during early season contests testing his will to continue. Eventually a tumultuous game involving adults who can’t seem to grow up leads to changes in the league. A benevolent new coach arrives in town, and things begin to turn around for Joey and his underdog teammates. Eventually joining forces with Mindi on the all-star team, Joey moves closer to fulfilling his dream.

Advancing to the state’s world series means finding innovative ways to win pressure packed games, which leads to Joey confronting his fears on the field. Ultimately he learns more about winning, losing, and the exciting game that is baseball.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Vikings coach Zimmer looking through rose-colored glasses

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has always been one to say it like it is, and I've appreciated him for that in the past year and a half.  However, last week he told reporters that he had no concerns at all about the offensive line.

That may be the first time I've heard him glossing over a real issue. With center John Sullivan out for at least two months and tackle Phil Loadholt out for the season, this means that journeyman Joe Berger will play at center and rookie fourth round draft pick T.J. Clemmings playing right tackle in place of the injured Phil Loadholt, not being concerned doesn't sound genuine. These situations, along with guard Brandon Fusco playing on the left side of the line for the first time in his career after three years on the right side, and Mike Harris, a tackle for his entire career, playing right guard for the first time, really would give any coach cause for concern.  Sullivan and Loadholt were average players to begin with, so their replacements are undoubtedly a step down.

The offensive line may be the most important group on a football team. You have to protect your quarterback when he's passing and open holes for your running backs.  Switching players around and having rookies fill in is risky.

Hopefully the Vikings' opponents this season won't have stellar defensive lines, otherwise this team might be looking at another losing season.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Mets pitcher Harvey, agent Boras are being ridiculous

Mets pitcher Matt Harvey doesn't deserve to wear the uniform of a professional baseball player. On the advice of his dumb agent Scott Boras Harvey is limiting the innings he will pitch for the remainder of the season and post-season in order to - theoretically - protect his arm for future seasons.

Well, what if the Mets, or any other team that he pitches for someday, never end up in a pennant race again? Harvey could spend the rest of his career pitching for mediocre teams. If that's what he wants, then he's hardly a competitor. He should just go out and get a regular job like the rest of us.

Scott Boras is hardly one to give advice. Players should know he's only about money. He doesn't really care about what's best for them, only what's best for himself.

Harvey owes an apology to all Mets fans.  Or he can just get out there and pitch, and help the team win, in the regular season and the playoffs.

Sports are becoming too much about entertainment and not enough about competition.