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New Children’s Book Tells Story of CCBL

Posted by Greg | Filed Under Codball Conversations, News | 5 Comments

Summer_Ball_JPEG[1]I’ve commented in the past that the bookshelf is beginning to sag beneath the weight of books about the Cape Cod Baseball League. There are narrative accounts of a season, historical accounts reaching back over 100 years, picture books and guides.

What has been missing has been a novel, a SABR-like encyclopedia and a children’s book.

Well, wait no longer for the children’s book. This summer Cape Cod’s own Diane Troy has written along with illustrator Charr Flloyd a delightful children’s book for Mascot Books.

Summer Ball (with a Cape League logo on the cover) is a simple overview  of the CCBL that begins with a player arriving at a host family’s house. Young readers then get a tour of the league, visiting each team and learning something about the league. We learn about scouts, the teams, reporters, the fog, the playoffs, etc. (Why don’t we learn about the blogs?)

Floyd’s anime-inspired illustrations are fun and distinctive. I like the Anglers cartoon where the outfielder looks like a ghost from Scooby-Doo in the fog.

I emailed author Diane Troy to ask her a few questions.

What interested you in writing a children’s book about the Cape League?
I’ve been a player host mom for 20 years and am also merchandise coordinator for the Chatham Anglers. I spotted the publisher’s books on Wally the Gren Monster and Patriots football and felt a story about the CCBL would also be marketable, as printed by Mascot Books.

What ages would you say this is best geared to?
 Being illustrated, it would appeal to children between 3 and 10, but it would also serve as a souvenir from one of the Cape League games, especially if it’s autographed by players from various teams!

Where can someone get a copy of the book?
Books are available at :  Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Hyannis; the Cape Cod League Hall of Fame, Hyannis; 9 franchise locations in the CCBL, a dozen private bookstores on the Cape; and from me, personally via dtroy823@yahoo.com.

Does the league benefit from sales?
Every dollar benefits the team selling it. There is no compensation to me as author. The book is just another merchandise item that can be sold to support the Chatham Athletic Association/Chatham Anglers. Surprisingly, the book now needs to be reordered …a mere seven weeks after delivery.

Comments

5 Responses to “New Children’s Book Tells Story of CCBL”

  1. Jim Ed on August 2nd, 2009 1:20 pm

    no comment about the book..zzzzzzz

    Lets open the floor for some predictions on various league awards….this should be a separate post (hint-hint)…if you want a lot of comments, I would get busy on it.

    Lets start with Most Valuable Player:

    MVP-Kyle Roller (Bourne)
    3rd-batting average
    1st-home runs
    T2nd-RBI’s
    T2nd-hits
    1st-2B’s
    2nd-OBP
    1st-SLG
    1st-Extra base hits
    3rd-runs scored

    Anyone have a better candidate?

  2. Tom on August 3rd, 2009 4:50 pm

    Roller’s the MVP, but only because Todd Cunningham’s Commodores are unlikely to make the playoffs.

    But back to the original subject (books): Greg mentions the need for a “SABR-like encyclopedia” for the CCBL. I agree. Does anybody know where we might find statistics for the years prior to 1999? (Since then they are posted on the CCBL’s website.)

  3. ivytex31 on August 4th, 2009 8:22 pm

    I just finished reading a great book about the 2002 Chatham A’s and the players on the team (Chris Iannetta of the Rockies, Tim Stauffer of the Padres, and several more still in the minors). A great read. It’s called The Last Best League, and the author followed around the Chatham A’s all summer 2002 chronicling the players and their dreams of making it to the bigs. I highly recommend it.

  4. Andrew on August 5th, 2009 8:55 am

    @ivytex31 Thanks for commenting on CodBall. We also are fans of The Last Best League and interviewed the author at the All-Star Game in ‘07: http://www.codball.com/2007/07/30/codball-conversation-jim-collins-author-of-the-last-best-league/

  5. Lloyd Christmas on August 5th, 2009 10:00 am

    Even if Cunningham’s Falmouth team were a playoff team, no way on Earth would he win MVP over Roller.

    Roller is a triple crown candidate and will likely finish in the top three in hitting.

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