Let's Go, O's!

It’s such an exciting time to be a fan of the Baltimore Orioles. Having spent seasons in the basement of the American League East, unable to compete with perennial powerhouses the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, most Septembers had found the O’s playing the role of spoiler. The last time the Orioles were in the American League Championship Series, Bill Clinton was in the White House and had not yet uttered that famous phrase: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”

With its blue-collar work ethic and a history that goes past 50 years, Orioles fandom is something that is passed down generation to generation among born-and-bred Marylanders. While fans do not have the “Woe is I” feeling of negative destiny that haunts supporters of ball clubs such as the Cubs, they also don’t enjoy the “this year is our year” that many others open with each April. We love the Bird, Camden Yards, Boog’s ribs, and big hot salty pretzels, and we love the O’s whether they win or lose. We don’t love the many Yankees and Red Sox fans that come down and cheer lustily for our baseball enemies (though please spend your money here with us). We fully expect to turn our attention completely to the Ravens once October hits.

So this year feels miraculous. The Yankees and the Red Sox out of it. Winning the AL East by a stunning 12 games. Sweeping the Detroit Tigers, who were picked by many experts to win the World Series. They have three Cy Young award winners on their pitching staff. And their season is over.

Shannon Stevens and her son Sam are most definitely fans of the Baltimore Orioles. They are Marylanders who prefer the American League to the National League, fans of crabs and “hun” and goin’ down ne Oshun. And right now they are out of their minds with joy. Sam is sleeping in his Orioles jersey every night.

To celebrate, I’m putting Shannon and Sam’s story, KEEPING SCORE, on sale for 99 cents as long as the Orioles remain the hunt. I’m hoping it’s for another whole month. Here’s the synopsis:

When her 9-year-old son wanted to play summer travel baseball, Shannon had no idea the toughest competition was off the field…

When her son Sam asks to try out for a travel baseball team, divorced mom Shannon Stevens thinks it’ll be a fun and active way to spend the summer. Boy, is she wrong! From the very first practice, Shannon and Sam get sucked into a mad world of rigged try-outs, professional coaches, and personal hitting instructors. But it’s the crazy, competitive parents who really make Shannon’s life miserable. Their sons are all the second coming of Babe Ruth, and Sam isn’t fit to fetch their foul balls. Even worse, Shannon’s best friend Jennifer catches the baseball fever. She schemes behind the scenes to get her son Matthew on the town’s best baseball team, the Saints. As for Sam? Sorry, there’s no room for him! Sam winds up on the worst team in town, and every week they find new and humiliating ways to lose to the Saints.

And the action off the field is just as hot. Shannon finds herself falling for the Saints’ coach, Kevin. But how can she date a man who didn’t think her son was good enough for his team … especially when the whole baseball world is gossiping about them? Even Shannon’s ex-husband David gets pulled into the mess when a randy baseball mom goes after him. As Sam works to make friends, win games and become a better baseball player, Shannon struggles not to become one of those crazy baseball parents herself. In this world, it’s not about whether you win, lose, or how you play the game… it’s all about KEEPING SCORE.

For simplicity’s sake, the sale is only on Amazon. Here’s the link to buy the book:

Thanks, and let’s go, O’s!