Bookshelf Review: The Death and Resurrection of Baseball

The Death and Resurrection of Baseball: Echos from a Distant Past, by William R. Douglas

From time to time I wonder how much longer baseball will last. Will the astronomical salaries paid to players who have little allegiance to a particular franchise finally turn off working-class fans, fed up with ever-increasing ticket prices? Will the owners and athletes cut off their collective noses with future work stoppages and lockouts?

Better that than the scenario of William Douglas’ first novel in which the United States is decimated by a civil war in the not-too-distant future that wipes out 90 percent of the population and, consequently, frivolities such as sports. As in many a dystopian story, the power grid has been demolished, but the country nevertheless recovers, perhaps a bit too quickly as many institutions seem to fare well after such a calamity.

As if often the case, it takes a child to show the country what it has missed. While on a walk through the relative wilderness, our hero, Joe Scott, and a buddy, a couple of adventurous preteens growing up in the heart of America, discover a battered sign that says “No Pepper.” What does it mean? This leads down a rabbit-hole to learn about a long-dead game. With the help of Joe’s grandad, they discover a treasure drove of relics, including equipment and various media, including VHS tapes and DVDs (for which they amazingly have the machinery with which to view) that explains all. One thing leads to another and with the help of their contemporaries and the unwavering support of parents and other adults, well, that’s where the resurrection comes in.

As long-time readers know, I rarely discuss fiction on the blog other than a passing mention to newly discovered titles. I don’t feel educated enough in creative writing to pass judgement. But I will say that Douglas’ story is reminiscent of a much more innocent time, perhaps better suited for the 1950s than the mid 22nd-century in which the tale takes place, more Angels in the Outfield (the original 1951 version) than Bull Durham. That might be my “big-city bias,” making it difficult to relate to some of the relationships reminiscent to the “Leave it to Beaver” era. There seems to be little conflict; everything falls into place with little effort, from the speed with which the kids pick up the game, to how they all get along in the face of competition, to the way the media (and the President!) embrace the old national pastime. Names such as Spaulding and Maris are tossed in as Easter eggs and the book wraps up with a heavenly gathering of Hall of Famers cheering the return of their beloved baseball.

No doubt Death and Resurrection will resonate with a substantial audience. Here’s wishing it well from a hardened cynic whose crustiness has been melted just a little.