Homer: The Small-Town Baseball Odyssey

I already ordered a copy. You can order a copy, too. The price includes shipping & handling. I wanted to read it right away, but then I realized to drive to Barnes & Nobel to pick it up, I would $pend about $45.00 in gas ... The folks at August Publications are helpful. There are excerpts available here.


Homer: The Small-Town Baseball Odyssey
$14.95
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If Homer: The Small-Town Baseball Odyssey simply covered the inspirational story of the tiny Michigan high school that fashioned a national-record winning streak and captured multiple state titles, it could easily stand by itself. But Jeff Karzen’s tale is about more than just prep baseball. It’s an amazing story of how high-school athletes established a winning tradition and performed with grace and class – despite the small-town politics that almost led to the removal of a dedicated and admired coach.

Homer: The Small-Town Baseball Odyssey starts in the fall of 2003, when a talented group of baseball players is on the verge of great achievements on the diamond. Off the field, their coach, Scott Salow, embarks on a campaign to save his job, as the local teachers’ union opposes a decision for Salow to retain the coaching position and serve as a middle-school principal. The ensuing political struggle threatens to derail the team. Along the way there are several main adult characters, including Salow’s brother Tom, the former head coach and a trusted adviser; Chuck Finch, whose son was one of the best players on the team and who also felt he should have been the head coach; and Brent Holcomb, the school superintendent who wanted Salow to continue as coach (and whose son was one of the team’s best players).

Against that backdrop, Homer is a story of dedicated players who avoid the political fights as best they can and simply play ball. The players range from star pitcher Josh Collmenter to second baseman C.J. Finch (Chuck’s son) to mercurial Dusty Compton, who cared more about baseball than anything else in his life. The team achieves statewide respect for its on-field exploits and the admiration of opposing coaches who note the team’s amazing work ethic and hustle. And, most importantly, the team gains the support of virtually everyone in the small southern-Michigan community.

"The entire community found their identity through a group of baseball players," Karzen said. "And they loved every minute of it."

The story continues through an undefeated season capped with a state title in 2004, a triumph almost marred by Finch’s public grievance that Salow should not have the job. After the issue is settled, the team hits the field hard again in 2005. They blow past the Michigan state record for consecutive wins and smash the national mark as well.

After that, setbacks occur. But it is how the young men handle adversity that makes Homer an interesting book. "I think a couple different factors make this such a compelling story," Karzen said. "It was unusual to have so many great talents in the same age group at such a small school. Secondly, the way in which Homer’s community rallied behind these boys was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Those loyal fans in orange gave Homer a home-field advantage anywhere it played."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Karzen is a sportswriter at the Battle Creek Enquirer in Michigan. He was on the front lines of Homer’s baseball run while covering the team for his paper. An Evanston, Ill. native, Karzen has a journalism degree from Michigan State University. His work has been featured in Baseball America, Michigan History magazine, and the Chicago Cubs’ Vine Line magazine.

Title: Homer: The Small-Town Baseball Odyssey
Length: 224 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9752706-5-3
Format: Trade paperback
Price: $14.95
Available: Directly through www.augustpublications.com website. Bookstores and resellers can order directly from August Publications at 877-343-5207.
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