What does clinical hypnosis that cured a 12-year old's bed wetting and the wisdom of a Persian Holy Man's book have to do with major league pitching? A phenomenal rookie pitcher and an over-the-hill bullpen catcher invent "weasel ball" which employs the power of suggestion rather than common trash talk to affect opposing hitters. The pitcher, a used bookstore junkie and student of ancient wisdom, carries a mysterious book in his hip pocket. The result is "wisdom ball" which influences players, fans and umpires alike. You've never read anything like it . . . anywhere! The Manhattan Monarchs, whose owner was integrity challenged, were the worst team in baseball, at preseason odds of 100-1 to win the World Series. An anonymous gambler, on behalf of 10 disabled veterans, placed a wager of $100,000 in April on the Monarchs. To Win! In the 9th inning of the 7th game of the World Series, the "Miracle Monarchs" were one pitch away from winning or losing THE WAGER. A single umpire's call would make the difference between a ten million dollar payoff for the veterans (and owner) vs. jail cell for the owner ($0 for veterans). Win-Win or Lose-Lose. What happened in the ninth inning depends upon whose story you heard and whose story you believe. The pitcher, the catcher, the hitter, the owner, the umpire, a sportswriter, a disabled veteran, a gambler, even the proprietor of the bookstore around the corner, all have a story to tell. Each will tell you what he saw and heard. There is mystery, humor, surprise, baseball insight, drama, and unparalleled you-are-there suspense as each storyteller tells you what really happened. And, could a gambler nicknamed, "Bluff," actually influence an umpire with a simple phone call announcing the time of today's sunrise or sunset? Only one umpire in history, until now, has been banned from professional baseball for conniving with gamblers. What about that 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning? Rookie-Of-The Year vs. National League MVP with $10,000,000 on the line! You will have all the information, the emotion, and the considerations to do the right thing. When all is said and done, it is YOUR CALL!
About the Author: The author, as a senior in high school, during one week, pitched two complete game victories, one on a baseball field that had no mound. He still has the ball from the second victory, the only ball that was used during the entire game! He won only one other game in his H.S. career. In college, as a freshman tryout, the author pitched one inning of relief, in the snow in Chicago. Throwing 60 MPH curve balls, he struck out all three batters he faced. Two of the batters wore regular winter furry gloves. The third didn't swing for fear he would hit the ball and break a bone in his hand. The tie game was called, too dark to see the ball . . . or the outfielders. Ten days later, during a spring trip to Florida, the author pitched in his first varsity opportunity. Facing the college "rookie," it was reported that a washed-up former major league outfielder hit the longest ball ever hit at the baseball field on the Air Force base. After that, the author played infield positions for four years. The author's son pitched his high school team to a TN state championship, later anchoring the UCLA bullpen. His grandson pitched for a CA frosh team that won 27 games in a row, including two games entering the final inning trailing on the scoreboard. The author's son, a theater major in college, created a one-person show, "MATTY," an off-Broadway "Holy Cow!" hit, based upon the life of legendary, Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Christy Mathewson. YOUR CALL! tells the exploits of a phee-nom rookie pitcher, Thom Potter, who embodies all the Frierson pitchers and the spirit of Christy Mathewson. Indeed, Thom and Christy are the only pitchers to ever pitch three complete game shutouts in a single World Series. The author earned the first Ph.D. ever awarded at Kent State. He specialized in two areas of education: a) developing creativity and special abilities among children and youth from all socioeconomic backgrounds; b) including children and youth with special learning disabilities in regular school and church environments. The author is married. He and his wife, Bettye, have six children including two sets of twins! Now, there are 22 grandchildren and "eight greats." Go to any ball field or gymnasium, soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, we'll probably see you there.