Hey Baseball fans. Just finished our distinguished member, author and Attorney, Harold Kasselman's "A PITCH FOR JUSTICE." It is a fictional account of what happens when a ballplayer is beaned in the head and dies? Should there be legal ramifications? One of the reasons I was reeled in and glued to the book, is because Mr. Kasselman is a lawyer like myself and I love legal thrillers. Put the plot into Baseball and you have a baseball legal drama being played out not only on the field, but with the fans and the legal system itself
I liked the book, not only for its content. It draws remarkable insight on the law in general. Anyone who reads this book will learn a great deal about the legal system such as moving the case to New Jersey rather than trying it in Philly under a legal jurisdiction theory. There is the Grand jury process, the plea bargain and instructions by the judge to the jury which educates the reader on the laws of Murder and Manslaughter as the story unfolds.
Kasselman writes in a clear form. His style of writing lends itself to keep the reader occupied with the story. All throughout the book you wonder should there be justice for killing a player with a bean ball? You get the angle through the eyes of the dead player's widow and her quest for justice. Also, the angle shifts to how it has consequences on the baseball world, and what it means for coaches to tell their pitchers to intentionally hit a player.
A lot of people compare this book to John Grisham's "Calico Joe." A fact you should know is that Mr. Kasselman published the book before Grisham did. In addition, Kasselman's style is different than Grisham. No comparison should be made between the two authors. This book stands on its own as a very well written piece of fiction, taken from the real life legal theories it discusses against the backdrop of an issue, which if constantly appealed in Federal Courts could go all the way to the United States Supreme Court as a Constitutional issue, in that "Should a death by a Bean Ball even be tried in court?" The big thing is to prove intent by the pitcher and if he meant to do damage. Not easy to prove.
Kasselman also weaves a love story with the major character in the book which shows the personal life of prosecutor. The love story shows a human side during the pressure this DA is under to bring justice for the widowed player.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Mr. Kasselman's "A Pitch For Justice" for anyone who likes Baseball fiction and anyone who likes legal thrillers. Mr. Kasselman does not disappoint in his ability to weave a good tale, and you will be turning page after page to the end which is a nail biter of a conclusion.
Buy it online at Amazon or on your tablet or at the store. Well worth it.
I liked the book, not only for its content. It draws remarkable insight on the law in general. Anyone who reads this book will learn a great deal about the legal system such as moving the case to New Jersey rather than trying it in Philly under a legal jurisdiction theory. There is the Grand jury process, the plea bargain and instructions by the judge to the jury which educates the reader on the laws of Murder and Manslaughter as the story unfolds.
Kasselman writes in a clear form. His style of writing lends itself to keep the reader occupied with the story. All throughout the book you wonder should there be justice for killing a player with a bean ball? You get the angle through the eyes of the dead player's widow and her quest for justice. Also, the angle shifts to how it has consequences on the baseball world, and what it means for coaches to tell their pitchers to intentionally hit a player.
A lot of people compare this book to John Grisham's "Calico Joe." A fact you should know is that Mr. Kasselman published the book before Grisham did. In addition, Kasselman's style is different than Grisham. No comparison should be made between the two authors. This book stands on its own as a very well written piece of fiction, taken from the real life legal theories it discusses against the backdrop of an issue, which if constantly appealed in Federal Courts could go all the way to the United States Supreme Court as a Constitutional issue, in that "Should a death by a Bean Ball even be tried in court?" The big thing is to prove intent by the pitcher and if he meant to do damage. Not easy to prove.
Kasselman also weaves a love story with the major character in the book which shows the personal life of prosecutor. The love story shows a human side during the pressure this DA is under to bring justice for the widowed player.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Mr. Kasselman's "A Pitch For Justice" for anyone who likes Baseball fiction and anyone who likes legal thrillers. Mr. Kasselman does not disappoint in his ability to weave a good tale, and you will be turning page after page to the end which is a nail biter of a conclusion.
Buy it online at Amazon or on your tablet or at the store. Well worth it.