A Glove Of Their Own: Paying It Forward, Baseball Style

My buddy, and yours, Garrett Berger of iFungo.com and the Marlins #1 draft pick in 2001, recently told me to talk to this guy Bob Salomon.  He was involved with a book called A Glove of Their Own.  iFungo.com was going to donate $3 to USA Cares, a charity for military families in need, and to kids around the country who need baseball equipment.  And, every person who bought a baseball glove on iFungo would also get a copy of A Glove of Their Own.

So I sent Bob and email.  He called me back.

First, Bob Salomon needs to contact his parents and have them legally change his name from Bob to Mr. Energy.  The guy is loaded, and I don't mean via performance enhancers.  When you listen to him talk about the book and its message, you sense a passion and power that you don't get from your normal toll taker on the New Jersey Turnpike.  Bob is living and breathing this book.  Here's why.

A Glove of Their Own is for children.  It rhymes.  It's got lots of pictures (beautifully illustrated by Lauren Lambiase, who is currently air brushing my most recent self-portrait).  And it starts like this:

"In our town there's a park,

with an oak tree so tall.

We meet there each day,

so we can play ball."

It's nice.  There's an innocence there.  The more you read, the more it takes you back to the days in grade school when baseball was all you could possibly think about; when the only dream you had was to play the game every moment of every day.  It was before the internet, before the MLB Network and before we had money to spend of our own.  Back before the sport became a 365-day event and the winter was a life in limbo.  At least until pitchers and catchers reported.  When there was hope again.

A Glove of Their Own is all about hope.  It's about something else too.  It's about giving.  Before I get all whussy on you, listen to the soft voice in your head as you read this:

"For few things in life are ever as good,

As the smell of your own glove, the crack of the wood.

Or being with friends, at that one special spot

And sharing what you have... with those who have not."

The book is about giving to others.  Which is what iFungo is doing.  Which is what your authors, Debbie Moldovan, Keri Conkling and Lisa Funari-Willever are doing.  It's what Bob Salomon, aka Mr. Energy, is doing.

For every book sold ($15.95 suggested retail price), ten cents is automatically donated to Good Sports, Pitch In For Baseball and Sports Gift, three charitable organizations that help reach young kids through sports.  And every time one of these organizations sells a book, $3.00 is donated.

In other words, the authors, the illustrator and Bob Salomon aren't going to get rich from this.  Not financially.  They are going to get rich in another way.  If I have to explain how, you aren't understanding my frothy love for this project.

"But Jimmy," you say, a little bit of good old American cynicism crawling around your brow, "is the book any good?  And what's in it for you?"

"Little man," I say, figuring I'm taller than you and you are an adult but one very vertically challenged, "'tisn't a thang in this for me.  I like kids.  I like good causes.  This satisfies both of my criteria.  I think you should buy the book because, number 1, it's a nice story that you can read in about 10 minutes with your lips moving even if you're not reading out loud.  Number B, you should buy the book because it does good things for the world."

I'm not the only guy to endorse this book.  Craig Biggio and Sean Casey are two other names you probably know who have spoken kindly.  If there are two stand-up guys in baseball, these would probably be in the top 5.  No, that wasn't supposed to make sense.  Let us move on.

If you live in NJ, or Philly, or NYC, and want to get involved, there's something more you can do.  On Friday evening, January 30th, there will be an event at The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, NJ (1904 Atlantic Avenue) to benefit Augie's Quest.  Augie Nieto, a man suffering from ALS for the last 3 years, is raising money to find a cure for this terrible disease.  The team behind A Glove of Their Own will be at the event to help raise money and awareness.  They'll be there to sign book and talk about "paying it forward."  Call 732-292-4357 for tickets, which are $20 each.

I'll be there too.  That's right.  Jimmy Scott is a gonna be at this event.  For every book you buy there that night, you'll get a hug from good ole me, as well as a picture with yours truly that will be posted here, on Jimmy Scott's High & Tight very soon afterward (I'd say the next day, but I might be sleepy then from hugging so many people). 

So there's something in it for you.  There's something in it for Augie.  There's something in it for kids all around this country, and the world, who want to play baseball.  Buy this book.  Read it.  Read it with/to a kid.  And why don't you both then do something nice for someone else.  Just one afternoon, go to a sporting goods store, buy a few baseballs, spend $10, and give the balls to some kids who need them.  It can't hurt.  I mean, if you give it to them and you're a jerk the whole time, I think they'll probably throw the ball at your cranium, which, yes, would be painful.  Very painful.  So my suggestion would be to hand the ball to its recipient gently, smile warmly, and say, "Here.  This is for you."  And then walk away.  You might realize, after a moment, that you're still smiling.  That's good.

Then quickly turn around and get your kid.  You never should have left Junior with that stranger who's practicing his grip for a split-fingered fastball.  What were you thinking?

We both know the answer to that.  See you on the 30th.