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While the title is “Hey Mom, wanna have a catch?”… this book is a tribute to moms and dads who put up with our obsession, even encouraged us to love America’s National Pastime.

For those who are lucky enough to still have their dad, be thankful, hold him tight and give him this Father’s Day gift of beautiful essays from some very talented storytellers. It’s the kind of thoughtfulness your dad will appreciate, and never forget.

And for those of us who are left with wonderful memories of a...

When I was about 12, my dad — Tony Bernazard — decided it was time I learned to stop being afraid of the ball. We used to practice in a grassy field across the street from our house. It wasn’t a real ballpark, but it was where a lot of life lessons took root.

Every time he pitched inside, I flinched. Jumped back. Threw my hands up like I was dodging a bullet. “If it hits you, you get first base. Then you can make something happen. ” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Hey Mom, Wanna Have a Catch?
by Rob Sheinkopf
Released February 25 2025
Giveaway ends June 07, 2025
6 copies available, 16096 people requesting
giveaway details »

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY from sons and daughters who love baseball!

here is just ONE MORE REASON for you to buy this book, which everyone is talking about

and bookstores just can’t keep on their shelves…

CHAPTER 15 --- “Thanks, Mom, for making me a Dodger fan!”

by Kirsten Clark, lifetime Dodger fan, looking for just the right Mother’s Day present…

… if Kirsten buys her mom a copy of this book on Amazon,

and if she buys her mom the book today, it will arrive at her

mom’s house SIX DAYS before MOTHER’S...

Thank you for honoring moms, as well. Moms are so often overlooked for the essential roles they play beyond being the “baseball mom”…the “cheerleader”…the snack provider. I am a single mom who taught my son the game and have coached him as well as continuing to be his only trainer at home once he became a part of other coaching. Mom’s don’t get enough recognition for ALL the roles we play…again, thank you!

Julie DeJesus gives us ONE MORE REASON… to read this Collection of Baseball Stories honoring those moms and dads who taught us to love America’s National Pastime.

Chapter 31 “Our Dad Taught Us To Love Baseball”, written by Hector’s three daughters, Julie DeJesus, Katherine Johnson, and Hannah DeJesus. Read the DeJesus girls’ heartfelt tribute to their father and the profound influence he has had on their love of baseball.

Julie organized this writing project for the three sisters, all of whom...

George Gmelch was a top prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization in the 1960’s. Read about the price he paid for standing up to racism and injustice in the small southern towns where his promising baseball career came to an abrupt ending.

Dr. George Gmelch is an anthropologist, emeritus professor at the University of San Francisco, and the author of fourteen books, including the highly acclaimed Playing with Tigers, A Minor League Chronicle of the Sixties.

My best friend was always my dad. His work ethic as a sole proprietor, as well as, his love for baseball have been a positive influence throughout my life. As a young man while working at a downtown Milwaukee shoe store he would often ask his boss for the day off to go to the old Bourchert Field, home of the original Milwaukee Brewers. There he would sell concessions where he said he could make more money than selling shoes!
Later in life he impressed me when he would rush home from work, skip...

Chapter 3, “It All Started in Brooklyn”

Read Glenn Yaffa’s heartfelt tribute to his father and the profound influence he had on Glenn’s love of baseball.

Glenn Yaffa is a retired wine industry sales and marketing executive, living in Redmond, Washington. Originally from Alpine, New Jersey, Glenn has been a Yankee fan all his life, adopting the Mets when they came into being to enhance the daily conversation with his father… and because the Mets are in the National League.

Chapter 5, “Hey Mom, wanna have a catch?”

George Gmelch and the story of “Southern Exposure” A career-ending encounter with Jim Crow.”

59 years doesn’t seem like a very long time when looking at the bigger picture. But, that’s how long ago it was when the Jim Crow laws were in effect. For those that are short on their history lessons, these were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation. Those that defied these laws faced arrests, fines, jail sentences,...

Chapter 7, “He Taught Me Everything I Know”

Read Dick Crepeau’s heartfelt tribute to his father and the profound influence he had on Dick’s love of baseball.

Dr. Richard C. Crepeau, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Central Florida, author, commentator, critic, columnist, educator, and friend … recognized as one of America’s foremost sports historians over the past 40 years.