The Baseball Code

by Gary L. Watts

The Baseball Code is a story about the love of the game; about the smell of a well-oiled glove; about the feel of the handle of the bat as you turn it in your hands; about running across an expanse of green grass on a hot summer afternoon, gazing up at the spinning red seams of a white baseball as it cuts its arc against a bright blue sky, timing your stride and the reach of your arm so perfectly that the ball drops into your mitt like a plum ripe from a tree.

It is a story about the love of life and the passing on of wisdom from generation to generation; about goodness, truth, and beauty; about always doing your best; and about understanding that giving up something you want isn't always the same as losing.

Genres: Baseball

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Jay St · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read “The Baseball Code”

Gary L. Watts weaves elements of an intensely introspective memoir as the basis for a crisp and contemplative Novella, “The Baseball Code.” Readers will find a fast-paced story that also reaches within, moving them at many levels, far beyond what the title might imply.

We meet our protagonist Terry in each phase of life: as a boy, a teenager, a newlywed, and as a elderly man wondering if he is done, all in a mélange of scenes skillfully drawn over seventy years. In every epoch the people, events, emotions, faith struggles, and ethical choices are seen both on their own and melded together.

Terry, once the “most-improved player” of his little league in New York, holds onto his lifelong love of the game—and the Dodgers—after they each move to Los Angeles in the 1950’s. He becomes a mathematician and teacher who loves to reach his students beyond class instruction. He uses math and baseball in an unexpected pairing to declare beauty and truth in his world (yes, he quotes John Keats).

Terry marries Susan, the love of his life. We are treated to lovely, intimate glimpses into their daily lives. Susan’s love of gardening and roses in particular are keys to Terry’s story beyond her own. Their deeply emotional journey includes a devastating loss, a fact we are warned of early on and which is used to frame Terry experiences thereafter.

Through his church Terry meets Noah, a neighbor boy who is just learning to play baseball. He is split between aspirations as an outfielder or a second baseman—just like Terry back in the day. His mother explains that Noah’s dad works back east, and Terry asks Noah if he would like to play catch—where we learn most of a boy’s most serious conversations also ensue. Soon Noah is calling Terry “coach.” He also needs a little help with his math. Terry is soon coaching many of the local boys at the church field, and becoming involved in the intrigues of little league.

The Baseball Code was bound to impact me, as I grew up in Los Angeles during that same period, and was a left-handed pitcher who idolized Sandy Koufax (in the book Terry sees one of Sandy’s no-hitters at Dodger Stadium, which I did not). I also worked and studied to become a real baseball player every day, ultimately making my team in college. But education, career and family intervened, and suddenly I was back on the diamond of the local little league, serving as the pitching coach for all the boys on the teams—including my own son, who set collegiate records as a pitcher. I was again under the magic of the ballfield: the air, the sounds, the feel of the grass, the dirt basepaths, the chalk lines, the pitching rubber and the precise design of home plate. The beauty of it all was more important than when I was playing—and here the author also goes into all those experiences and feelings in depth—with a few math lessons thrown in.

Gametime coach’s decision: read The Baseball Code now, while the Dodgers are basking in their World Series win. Recover your memories of the joys of being outside, playing a wonderful game of your own choosing. Have a catch, and allow it to deepen your appreciation of living this life, a gift, after all, one of truth and beauty.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Baseball Code because I have loved baseball since I used to talk baseball with my dad at the breakfast table. I then married a baseball coach, so baseball has been a cornerstone of my life. I loved the coaching information that could be beneficial to a young player. I needed a distraction right now and this was a quick easy read that provided the distraction. I did feel that it was a bit didactic at times. I had hoped to hook my grandson with it, but I am not sure. Susan’s story was important, but would have liked it to be reframed a bit so as to hook middle schoolers.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, smoothly written and a quick read. Short chapters and lively. I felt like I was there as I read about helping the young boy. Good intro into how they responded to the handicapped boy when he went to the hospital. It has some simple life lessons in it which were tied into the "code". Very enjoyable!!

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I missed the billing that this was a youth book when I was sucked in by the baseball theme. It is very basically written and a long sermon of dime store philosophy. I gave it a second star due to the possibility it would be good for 10-12 year olds, although some of the themes would be beyond them

[Patty Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the well-written prose to the uplifting and enjoyable story. The book begins with the death of the narrator’s wife and I questioned where the story was headed. I wondered how sorrow was going to lead to a baseball story… What followed was a chance meeting that enriched the lives of two individuals, one a lonely youth, and the other a bereft older man. This book will make for excellent reading for both young adults and even adults of any age. I seldom give a book 5 stars, but this is one!

[Sally Beaudean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful combination of themes

Baseball, friendship, growth, love, beauty, truth -- what's not to appreciate in this story? I want to share this book with everyone -- it's just that good.

[Beth B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just to start - I READ THE WHOLE THING COVER TO COVER IN ONE DAY. I was left wanting a sequel or to read it again right away. I have read a lot of books this year and this one may be my favorite book of the year maybe ever. It is just so good and wholesome and warm and it just has everything in it- grief, friendship, baseball, etc. It is so raw and honest. It is like a warm hug from an old friend (the best kind of book).

[Bklynsouth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read, and the love of the game came through. Life was taught not in harsh light, but with an easy catch between two friends. Good book.

[cris adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. I am a baseball fanatic and truly felt that this book ties beauty, honor and love together in a way I had never thought about all while being about baseball. Just delightful.

[Gell44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Good instructions for young and old.Very easy read and tells a wonderful story through baseball and roses along with a little math.

[Lois Vollrath]

it was a great book. made you think about life and what should be important.

[Mary Tiegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I have always believed the game of baseball is a metaphor for life. The author ties in life’s values into the game. Perfectly written. This one is a keeper.