Can you recall someone who seemed to have it all made in the shade--famous family members, looks, talent, money and other resources--until you learned that the covet worthy image is not the whole story? Can you remember what you thought and felt about the revelation? If so you are most definitely ready for T. L. Simpson's Cope Field.
Craw is the son of a beloved local legend. His father, Hunter, rose from his small town to make it in major league baseball. Back in his hometown he's their hero par excellence. Anything he does is golden. Craw's mom vanished when he was quite young. Ever since then it's been the three guys (Craw has a younger brother affectionately nicknamed Big Time) against the world.
Craw is following in his father's legendary footsteps. His training has been intense. A lot of resources are dedicated to developing his talent. He's pitcher for his high school team with an incredible arm, attracting scouts from colleges and pro teams. True his dad is quite demanding and critical...
...and intense...
...but it's for his own good so he won't let his talent go to waste...
...When Craw attacks his famous father with a baseball bat it's assumed that he has an anger management problem. He's assigned community service rather than something more severe.
"Crawford's a good kid. A great kid. An asset to the community. Not to mention an important member of this year's baseball team, given he pitches in the 90s. Given he controls the ball when he pitches. Given nobody in the state can hit off him...
The Hosanna Patriots need him this year. "
Craw is assigned to help rehabilitate a really deteriorated baseball diamond, a field that will be named after his father.
He and the other community service teen, Hannah, are a real odd couple. While he's into sports, her enthusiasm is punk rock. While he's the privileged scion of a legend, she's the dirt poor offspring of a mother in prison for prostitution and a paranoid drug addict father. While he feels destined for baseball fame, she feels stuck in a small town with a bleak future.
But they achieve honesty, real vulnerability, and caring.
Could the legendary baseball player be a seriously abusive parent? Could Craw and Big Time be in danger?
Could Hannah have reason to hope and dream?
On a purrrsonal note, when Amber was maybe about 10 she wanted to wear just a sweater to school. I insisted that she wear a coat. She told me Chelsea was wearing a sweater. I had to explain that Chelsea lived in an affluent neighborhood while we lived in the trailer park and that we were, therefore, more in danger of being reported. Later I saw a social worker acquaintance and asked her if I was being paranoid. She said, "Not in the least." This bias endangers both richer and poorer kids--putting the latter in danger of being taken away from their loving families needlessly and the former of being injured or worse by unsuspected toxic parents.
A great big shout out goes out to the people who are working to reform the system.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my Galaxy
