Book Review – Empty Seats by Wanda Adams Fischer

Website design By BotEap.comWanda Adams Fischer’s “Empty Seats” is a must-read even if you’re not a baseball fan. The author’s distinct and identifiable characters revolve around three local high school baseball stars who are called up to the minor leagues to see if they “have it.” But his story encompasses much more: friendship, expectations, defeat and coming of age.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat kid hasn’t thought about being in the big leagues, being famous, and making millions of dollars? Sadly, many don’t make it, and life has other plans for them. Having grown up in a family where my brothers played minor leagues through high school baseball and my dad was a baseball coach for many years, I can certainly relate to the expectations that if you want to make it to the big leagues, nothing else matters.

Website design By BotEap.com“Empty Seats” follows three young men from diverse backgrounds who are excellent local pitchers. The father of a young man gave up his dream of being a professional baseball player due to his wife’s wishes; another comes from the south and is a true and gentle soul who befriends everyone, while the third child, angry at the world, comes from a fatherless home and has a very dysfunctional mother.

Website design By BotEap.comGiven the author’s love of baseball and her thorough understanding of the game and all of its components, she has an excellent ability to attract readers to the game. Readers will smell the green grass and feel the thrill of playing on a major baseball field. César, the pitching coach, made me laugh throughout the book. He makes a statement, “Chew Do you think you know everything about the game? Chew knows nothing! Nothing! Since most of these young players were the kings of baseball at home, they were a bit surprised by this statement.

Website design By BotEap.comThe chapters change the narrative between each child, and I find that it gives one the opportunity to get to know each player and their way of thinking. I enjoyed the fact that Fischer was able to vividly describe how each child returned home hoping to return next year. There are many obstacles and challenges that everyone experiences during the summer at home. Some are caused by your own actions and some are by chance.

Website design By BotEap.comFischer attracts one with emotions, dislikes, and a love of the game. You will be in the field with all of them and hope for the best. Wanda Adams Fischer’s “Empty Seats” is a true coming of age story and an honest depiction of aspiring baseball players. I recommend this book to everyone, even if you are not a huge fan of the game. You will learn many things about baseball and life.

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