Writing and Researching Baseball

If you know much about me, you know one of my interests (dare I say passions?) is baseball. This past weekend my oldest son and I attended the annual convention of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), held this year in St. Louis. In the picture on the right, I'm joining 13 other authors who contributed to a book called Deadball Stars of the American League. There were actually 89 authors who contributed to this book. Those in attendance at the convention signed copies. While the book isn't historical fiction, it is a collection of biographies on men who played the game, owners, and managers in the Deadball Era (approximately from 1900-1920.) Pictured L-R: Cindy Thomson, Dan Desrochers, John McMurray.

There were nearly 700 people at this convention, most, but not all, were men. But there were some great presentations and panels by women, just in case you were wondering!

I do have a point here. There are some works of historical fiction with baseball themes. I'm currently reading one I'll be reviewing for the Deadball Era Committee's newsletter called Dreaming Baseball. A few have been made into movies: Bang the Drum Slowly by Henry W. Wiggin, Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella (On which the movie Field of Dreams was based), and Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof.

I would someday love to write a baseball themed novel (historical, of course!) I've even started one. But it seems editors are insisting on strong female protagonists. There have been women in baseball, of course. The movie A League of Their Own was about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which existed in the 1940s and '50s. Erma Bergmann, who played in that league from 1946 -1951 was at the convention and spoke on a panel.

I'd still like to write about the men who played. I did co-author a book with my cousin (non fiction) but historical fiction is my first love. It would be great to one day be able to combine my passions.

If you're interested in baseball fiction, or know someone who is, check out this Guide to Baseball Fiction.

Until next time, pick up a book you love!

Cindy
http://www.cindyswriting.com