In his native Lenoir, North Carolina, Will Wallace, Jr. is a 1943 baseball star. It is said that his skills surpassed his father’s legendary baseball feats. The mother of his high school sweetheart, Dena, disapproves of their romance and declares Will, a mere baseball player and lumberjack, to be beneath their social status. Soon, Will joined the fight against America’s apartheid in baseball. Soon, the Ku Klux Klan teaches Will a lesson in the status. Will’s father’s friend, a former Atlanta Crackers baseball player, devises for Will a clever escape from Klan pursuit and hides him in the U.S. Army. Will’s 366th Infantry Regiment’s first mission in Italy is keeping the pilots and planes of the 99th Fighter Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen) safe from enemy saboteurs while on the ground between aerial sorties. When Will fulfills his wish to fight against the Germans, he finds himself in intense combat that leaves him with flagging hope he will live to see Dena again.

If life has tossed you a curveball, this book was written with you in mind. It is my sincere hope that you will find the following stories and concepts helpful. Whatever you do, don't despair and don't give up. Simply keep reading, keep your spirits up, and above all, keep swinging. Your persistence and your courage will be rewarded.

In his native North Carolina, Will battles America's baseball apartheid by accepting an invitation in 1943 to play on an all-white team. His high school sweetheart is Dena, whose mother disapproves of their romance. The Ku Klux Klan decides to teach Will a lesson in the status quo and attacks. Will escapes Klan pursuit and hides in the US Army where he keeps the 99th Fighter Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen) safe on the ground.

Author Steve Ward is all too familiar with overcoming obstacles and challenges, having experienced a diagnosis of cancer along with subsequent treatment and then suffering a heart attack requiring rehabilitation a year later. The combination of these two life-threatening challenges caused him to view life from a perspective of greater awareness and consciousness and to appreciate the good both within and surrounding him. In Lifes Notes, his second book, Ward shares a collection of more than seventy insightful messages meant to help others follow the path of goodness and find peace and contentment in everyday life. Following the common theme of goodness for well-being, the notes address a wide range of issues, including virtue, inspiration, spirituality, laughter, the grace of forgiveness, the power of gratitude, the curveballs of life, relationships, life skills, and other meaningful topics. Ward understands from personal experience that life is not always a bouquet of roses. In Lifes Notes he discusses facing lifes toughest challenges and encourages others to follow the path of goodness in order to restore or sustain a healthy and balanced life.

An unforgettable story of insight, inspiration, and faith Growing up in a small town in the Panama Canal Zone, Rod Carew and his friends spent the long, temperate days hitting bottle caps with broomsticks, outfitted with mitts molded from paper bags, cardboard, and string. Each broomstick bat was customized by its owner; Carew's, slathered in black paint with yellow trim, bore in orange the number 42—that of his idol, Jackie Robinson. It was in this fashion, years before he would move to New York City in search of a better life, Carew honed the skills that would one day turn him into a perennial All-Star. For 19 seasons, Carew was a maestro in the batter's box. Uncoiling from his crouched stance, he seemed to guide the ball wherever he wanted on the way to a whopping seven batting titles and a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. If only everything in life had been as easy as he made hitting look. In One Tough Out: Fighting Off Life's Curveballs, Carew reflects on the highlights, anecdotes, and friendships from his outstanding career, describing the abuse, poverty, and racism he overcame to even reach the majors. In conversational, confessional prose, he takes readers through the challenges he's conquered in the second half of his life, from burying his youngest daughter to surviving several near-fatal bouts with heart disease. He also details the remarkable reason he's alive today: the heart transplant he received from Konrad Reuland, a 29-year-old NFL player he'd met years before. Carew explains how that astonishing connection was revealed and the unique bond he and his wife, Rhonda, have since forged with his donor's family. As Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." As Carew recounts his story, Robinson's words take on an even greater resonance.

Finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor "In this surprisingly upbeat memoir, Annabelle Gurwitch writes about the financial curveballs that can hit you in midlife . . . Somehow, Ms. Gurwitch manages to find humor in these setbacks. Ultimately, this is a story about harnessing resilience and learning how life’s disappointments can teach you about the things that matter most." —Tara Parker-Pope, The New York Times From the New York Times bestselling author of I See You Made an Effort comes a timely and hilarious chronicle of downward mobility, financial and emotional. With signature "sharp wit" (NPR), Annabelle Gurwitch gives irreverent and empathetic voice to a generation hurtling into their next chapter with no safety net and proves that our no-frills new normal doesn't mean a deficit of humor. In these essays, Gurwitch embraces homesharing, welcoming a housing-insecure young couple and a bunny rabbit into her home. The mother of a college student in recovery who sheds the gender binary, she relearns to parent, one pronoun at a time. She wades into the dating pool in a Miss Havisham-inspired line of lingerie and flunks the magic of tidying up. You're Leaving When? is for anybody who thought they had a semblance of security but wound up with a fragile economy and a blankie. Gurwitch offers stories of resilience, adaptability, low-rent redemption, and the kindness of strangers. Even in a muted Zoom.

"None of us knows what the future holds. But once you've learned how to confront and overcome the unexpected, this lack of knowledge will cease to make you anxious. Tomorrow will no longer be something to fear. And believe me, that's a great feeling" As a professional, you want to be ready for anything. You'll spend hours, days, even years, perfecting your technique, studying the competition and stepping up to challenges in order to make yourself an all-star. But at some point in your life, regardless of what you do or how far up the ladder you've climbed, you will be thrown a curveball-an unexpected challenge that comes at you quickly and without warning. The kind that forces you to rethink, well, everything. Whether it's the loss of a job, a newly assigned responsibility at work, or a global recession that threatens your entire company or industry, an unanticipated change can knock even the most experienced among us off guard. So if you want to succeed in business-and in life-it's not enough to be the smartest in the room or even the hardest working; you have to be a great curveball hitter. Investment banker Scott R. Singer learned this lesson the hard way. But after a series of career challenges and personal setbacks, he started to develop a new approach to dealing with unforeseen problems by adopting a new attitude toward life. He realized that curveballs are a part of the game and the greatest players know how to knock them out of the park. Singer shares his personal story and insights as well as those of some prominent curveball hitters he interviewed, such as Leslie Moonves of CBS, Alan Schwartz of Bear Stearns, and actor Michael J. Fox. Singer's rules for surviving and thriving when faced with uncertainty include: Step up to the plate: Accept what's happened; don't fight it. Tell others right away, and let them help. Be the batter, not the ball: Don't let your imagination get the best of you. Be a realist, not a pessimist. Keep your eye on the ball: Focus on what you can do instead of worrying about what might happen or what's beyond your control. This fun yet practical book is full of valuable advice and anecdotes that can help anyone avoid striking out at work (or at home) and maybe even turn those surprising challenges into tremendous opportunities. Visit www.hitacurveball.com

Dear Baseball Gods, Why didn't you look out for him? Didn't he deserve better? He hustled, competed, and played the game the right way. What happened wasn't fair. A Second Comeback Dan sat by a tree, staring at the ground trying to decide what he would do next. The doctor had just explained that everything he worked for was now ruined. A second Tommy John surgery? Does anyone come back from that? Is my career over? Is this it? A Winding Road to the Top As a walk-on in college, Dan had to earn everything. He pitched on three hours sleep, lived in the clubhouse, played for a team that collapsed mid-season, and endured more arm pain than any kid should. A Way to Move On When finally forced to hang up his cleats, Dan looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the man peering back. If no longer a ballplayer...what would he do? What had been the point of it all? Who was he? The Deeper Side of Life as an Athlete In this philosophical memoir, written as a series of letters, you'll learn that the pinstripes don't wash off so easily.

"Some artists use canvas to create a work of art. David Mellor uses a baseball field. His patterns are so precise and imaginative, I call him the Rembrandt of groundskeeping."--Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers Broadcaster. Now you can transform your sports field or clubhouse lawn into an envy-grabbing work of optic art. In this book, David Mellor, currently the director of grounds for the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club, shares the turf mowing and maintenance secrets that have made him one of the leading creators of elaborate patterns used on athletic turf nationwide. He gives you the benefit of his years of experience along with simple-to-use techniques for creating playing fields that are a cut above the rest.--From publisher description.

"Life’s a Mess: Finding Your Smile When Sh*t Hits the Fan" by Kizzi Nkwocha is a powerful, uplifting guide that transforms life’s most challenging moments into opportunities for growth and resilience. As a personal development coach and the creator of Business Game Changer Magazine, Kizzi combines his unique insights with practical advice, research, and inspiring case studies of real people who have faced adversity head-on and triumphed. From everyday individuals to well-known personalities, this book brings to life the stories of those who refused to let life's toughest battles steal their joy. Kizzi expertly weaves together scientific studies, personal experiences, and actionable tips that empower readers to embrace positivity, even when things feel impossible. His voice is both authoritative and empathetic, making the reader feel seen, heard, and encouraged to keep moving forward. Whether you're in the midst of your own storm or simply seeking ways to elevate your mindset, "Life’s a Mess" is the perfect companion. Kizzi Nkwocha doesn't just tell you to be positive—he shows you how, offering a roadmap to finding your smile when life gets messy. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to reclaim their power and rewrite their narrative with resilience and hope. - The UK Newspaper