Review of "Backyards to Ballparks"

This is the second book of baseball stories compiled and published by a Facebook friend, Eric C. Gray.  I was also present when he visited the Albany, NY area for a reading of selected stories (along with noted baseball author Erik Sherman). It was great to meet him in person, have him read my story and enjoy several others for the second time after reading the book.  Here is my review of "Backyards to Ballparks."

 

Title/Author:

“Backyards to Ballparks: More Personal Baseball Stories from the Stands and Beyond” by Eric C. Gray

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

In his second collection of baseball stories from people in all walks of life, Eric Gray has produced another excellent book that will be an enjoyable read for those with at least a passing interest in the game.  It isn’t often a collection of baseball stories will be from “regular” people instead of those who worked in or played the game, but this one and his first book, “Bases to Bleachers” provide a voice to fans and others who love the game but did not end up making a living from it.

That doesn’t mean there are no stories from people in the game – they are included as well.  One of my favorites is a pioneering umpire, Perry Barber.  She was among the first female umpires in professional baseball and she shares her story in the chapter on umpires. Chapters are broken into various categories of how the storytellers were involved in the game or how if affected them such as special family memories.  For full disclosure, this reviewer had a story published in the chapter on ballpark employees like ushers and vendors, as I was a vendor for the Minnesota Twins and Norfolk Tides and I sent a story to the author for inclusion, which he included in that section.

Like any other collection of stories, not every story will be one that will be enjoyed or connect with every reader.  Nor will a reader necessarily want to know about the particulars in some of the longer anecdotes. However, what all of them DO have is a very personal reason for why the person wants to share that story with anyone who will read it and Mr. Gray is providing those people, including myself, with an outlet to do that. 

I wish to thank Mr. Gray for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: Amazon.com: Backyards to Ballparks: More Personal Baseball Stories from the Stands and Beyond eBook : Gray, Eric C.: Kindle Store