This is an illustrated story (with black and white pictures) of a young boy growing up during the fifties and early sixties. It describes some of the true-to-life adventures of this young man and his friends and the game they love to play - baseball. Billy Baseball invites the reader to share in a variety of experiences. Centered around Billy's experiences on the baseball diamond, Billy has a chance to decide what is really important in life. Billy Baseball is divided into two volumes. The first volume, "A Young Man's Adventures Growing Up with Little League Baseball", introduces you to Billy, his family, his friends and his love for the game of baseball. It describes some of the adventures that Billy and his friends live through. Some of the adventures take place on the baseball field; many take place in other settings. The first of the two volume series is aimed at anyone age nine or older, especially those persons who are playing or who have played baseball. Parental involvement, reactions to good days and bad days, Little League politics, and the importance of teamwork are interwoven into the plot. The first volume is the easier of the two volumes to read and understand. The author recommends that the reader begin with volume one before proceeding to volume two. The second volume, "Billy Baseball Meets the Babe" begins with Billy going back to school to enter the seventh grade. He empathetically welcomes a new kid into his neighborhood group of friends. And, Billy continues to have a crush on a young lady, a little red-haired girl, whom he first encountered in volume one. This young girl returns his affections, proclaims her fondness for Billy and gives Billy his first kiss. In the second volume, Billy and all of his friends try out for Babe Ruth Baseball and are placed on a variety of competing teams. Life appears to be idyllic for Billy and his friends until a kidnapping occurs to one of the girls in their class at school who lives in the same part of town as Billy. Rash decisions place Billy and his friends in a dire situation. Billy and his friends discover that teamwork is important on and off of the baseball field. Billy and his friends play hockey in the winter-time and go swimming together in the summer-time. The wisdom of the decisions they make during these outings is examined against a background of frivolity. Billy learns what it is like to be the center of attention, to be treated like a hero; he also discovers what it is like to be the brunt of an embarrassing situation. Join us, as Billy and his friends willingly travel down a path of exploration, discovery and learning. Bring your bat and your mitt with you. We may need you to step in as a pinch hitter or to sub for Billy at shortstop!
About the Author: Robert Leasure is a retired professor of mathematics and computer science. He continues to teach an occasional course as an adjunct professor but has embarked on a number of new creative endeavors since retiring. Bob says, "Writing is too much fun. It allows me to cleanse my system of bad memories and to share some of the good ones. Writing permits me to dream in a funny make-believe world of my own design and creation." Bob grew up in a small town in Ohio. Still a kid at heart, he continues to play baseball, soccer, tennis, Ping-Pong, tag and hide-and-seek at every opportunity with his nine grand children. BTW he will play "catch" with anyone who is available. Bob believes that one of the best ways to stay young is to continue participating in and being a spectator of sporting events and games. Bob drew from his childhood experiences when writing his first two fiction novels: "A Young Man's Adventures Growing Up with Little League Baseball" and "Billy Meets the Babe". These two novels are part of a series of Billy Baseball books. Bob relates that, "I have attempted to impart some wisdom in these books. Many of the experiences that I share in my books contain an underlying message. An effort has also been made to insert some humor wherever possible." Each of the two Billy Baseball novels is illustrated... yes, illustrated by Bob. He admits that some of the art work is a bit amateurish but he appreciates any complements that you may be willing to pass his way, even if it requires that you stretch the truth! The Billy Baseball books are aimed at individuals from nine to thirteen years of age, but they have also been enjoyed by older adults who grew up playing Little League baseball. There are no werewolves or vampires in the Billy Baseball books. But, there are moments that will challenge you to make the right (or a better) decision. Bring your mitt and your bat and pick up one of the Billy Baseball books. We may need you to substitute for Billy at shortstop or to serve as a pinch hitter.