Richard Doster

What an enjoyable book. It is the story of one man dealing with segregation in the deep south during the early 1950s. Jack Hall is the sportswriter for the local newspaper. He loves his local Class C minor league team. There fictional Crescent League is the last one to allow black players, and they are in danger of failing. The book chronicles Jack as he plays an intergral part in the local teams's signing of an outstanding young black players who quickly demonstrates that he is the best player in the league.

As can be imagined, not everyone in town is as thrilled with the idea as Jack is.

Well-written with a good pace.… (mere)

Set in 1953 this book gives us a nicely penned glimpse of baseball in the early era of integration. Fifty five years later the book’s theme is worthy of attention as we in America continue to become a globally integrated country. The lead character is Jack Hall, a sportswriter. Through his eyes we experience the changes for a small Southern baseball team and the entire community as the first black player is included on the team’s roster. Percy Jackson, a black youth who excels at baseball, is the book’s other central character.
The book would appeal to baseball aficionados. Being raised in primarily white upper Midwest communities I gained an insider’s perspective on my black neighbors and their life long challenges despite our integrated society of today. Rating: 4—RE… (mere)