The Death and Resurrection of Baseball: Echoes from a Distant past

by William R. Douglas

In the year 2166, a post-Second Civil War United States of America is finally back on its feet. Among the countless personal and cultural casualties of the war, the sport of baseball has been dead for over a hundred years. 12-year-old Joe Scott lives in the northern Illinois city of McHenry and goes exploring in the woods one day in a no man's land that a hundred years earlier was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Second Civil War. While there, he discovers a relic from the distant past, from before the war. It sparks a search for its meaning. Little does he know that the wheels of Providence have been unwittingly set in motion, leading to a stunning discovery in Dyersville, Iowa. This second discovery has a direct connection with the relic found in McHenry. As events unfold, Joe finds himself at the center of the rediscovery of the sport of baseball, long lost and forgotten by the ravages of time and the lingering aftereffects of the Second Civil War. With no living person having any first-hand knowledge of the game, can he figure out the pieces of the puzzle to resurrect the game of baseball? Will his friends take to the game? What will the adults think?

270 pages, ebook

Published May 10, 2022

Reviews

[Angie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF for a profanity a little less than halfway in

Apart from that, I have to confess that I only stuck it out that far because I was hoping to use the book for a couple of challenges. The writing was very much not my style and felt very much told rather than shown. I was intrigued by the idea of a society in the future rediscovering a lost sport, but there was no real gradual process of discovery here--they basically had the game dropped into their lap, manuals, equipment, instructional videos and all, along with a detailed letter explaining how baseball had dropped out of the public consciousness in the first place and why it had once been so important--and it all just felt very contrived and in-your-face. Also, the worldbuilding kind of confused me; I wasn't sure how society had recovered to basically the same state of technological advance as they had been in before the triple catastrophe of nuclear civil war, massive computer virus, and EMP had plunged them into the dark ages, or why some of this specific technology would have been resurrected. I'm not saying it couldn't have happened; I just didn't feel convinced that it would have. Overall, it was just not my cup of tea, but I probably would have given it two stars if not for having to DNF.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unlikely but likeable blend of dystopian fiction and baseball set in 2166 during the aftermath of the Second American Civil War — during which such major cities as Chicago, New York and Atlanta were obliterated — serves as both an entertaining read and a dire warning. As America’s pastime continues losing fans (especially younger ones) in 2023, it’s refreshing to read about a group of boys and one amiable grandfather 140 years in the future who unearth a stash of relics from a game that was last played in the 2060s. They learn the rules by watching old DVDs and start playing ball in McHenry, Ill., which eventually becomes the center of the baseball universe and the site of the first baseball game played in more than 100 years. Their enthusiasm generates excitement for a country badly in need of a unifying element. The epicness of this tale, and the sheer creativity of Douglas, is enough to make you overlook the fact that every character is nearly flawless and awash in politeness. But maybe that’s part of what makes this feel-good story work.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good read for people who enjoy baseball and like a book packed full of adventure. It takes you through history and shows you what could happen in the future. It shows how a young boy and his grandpa can resurrect the game of baseball and give America a new life.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

While readers of all ages will enjoy this novel, both the sports theme and the writing style used by the author should especially appeal to youth readers. My initial attraction to this futuristic novel was the background theme (post-second Civil War in U.S.), but midway through I was pulled into the excitement of the comeback of baseball. It is evident this story was a labor of love by this new author, and I believe a metaphorical message of hope - Providence - for our current times. I am anxious to read the next Douglas novel!

[John Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful feel good story

An uplifting tale about Joe Scott and his friends that bring baseball back from the dark abyss of a war torn in America that forgot its national pastime. Wonderfully told with Rich scenery and a lively conversation, the book takes the reader through the efforts of a young man to restore baseball and finishes in a way that will leave you cheering for more.