Kate Angell has a really cute baseball series out - CURVEBALL and SQUEEZE PLAY. Then STRIKE ZONE will be out in 2008, just in time for Opening Day. Had you been to the new Miller Park before last night? How is it? I went to what was supposed to be one of the last games in the old stadium, but then they had that crane collapse and things got pushed back. Go Red Sox!

I love baseball too (and we have the Brewer's AA team right here in my town). But it's often called a game for intellectuals because it's so slow. Hey, that makes me smart, yes? I'd always heard that sports heroes didn't bode well in romance novels, but Susan Elizabeth Phillips had a whole series about football. And Pat White has her wrestling books. I think it's all in the execution. Aren't there some great baseball movies though? Field of Dreams, The Rookie, For Love of the Game, The Natural.

As a Red Sox fan (they won't let me live here otherwise), I've adopted the perpetual downcast "we'll find a way to mess it up" feeling, so i can relate. But can't really contribute much in the way of fiction -- WP Kinsella's great "Shoeless Joe" was fun, but I don't recall a single female character. "Fever Pitch" (the novel was about soccer, I believe) does have Drew Barrymore, but she's the rational, non-fan. Then again, maybe that's not a bad role! - Clea www.cleasimon.com

GO BREWERS!!! Read that Curses book fast and then pass it my way ;). And cheers to Ms Phillips for breaking the "rule" that sports heroes won't sell to romance readers. Give me a hero with Ryan Braun's eyes and the power in his biceps and I'm a gonner! Shari, who'll be tuned in to FSN for the next several nights!

I've never believed sports books don't sell: my first published novel for NAL was Stardust and Diamonds in 1982, about a baseball player and an astrophysicist. A week later Silhouette published A Winning Season, my quarterback hero. My first Temptation had a basketball coach for a hero. Another baseball hero Temptation -- The Return of Caine O'Halloran -- was a RITA finalist. And Love They Neighbor, afootball Temptation, remains one of my all-time best selling category books.

Did you ever read Under The Grandstand by C Moore Butts? :)

Marilyn, when I come to visit, we are going to an intellectual AA game. Leah, I love the cover of Squeeze Play (baseball glove squeezing some butt) and I'll be sure to check it out. Now Clea, the Red Sox did have their day in the sun and Fever Pitch (movie) was cute. Shari, if I can't get a hold of the Curses book, I'll make some up and email them to you. Joann, I tried to find your baseball books at the library, but I guess your readers wore them out (since they were from the '80s), but I'm keeping my eyes open for a copy. Brewcrew fan, what can I say? Your book recommendation says it all. :)

I have read the SEP books about the Chicago Stars football players, but I'd be up for one about a baseball team.

I probably should have mentioned (or maybe I have in the past...senior moment), but I worked for the Brewers for about 5 years and during the 1982 World Series. I grew up with my dad sitting next to the radio keeping the line score. So, baseball is in my blood and one of my favorite parts of summer (aside from the 80 degree days...love that). BTW: Shari, you are absolutely right about Ryan Braun, future Rookie of the Year.

Love watching baseball. Rarely get a chance to go see a game live, but manage to follow the team fairly well. Go Brewers!

I'm sure you saw the game tonight, but just in case, the Brewers won. Yea! Cubs lost.

Hello Barbara! Thanks for the Brewers blog! Between reading the newspaper, my latest issue of MS magazine, mail & one of Nevada Barr's mysteries, I watched the last two games on cable! How exciting & so nice of you to share your game & life experiences!

love your blog auntie. going to the brewer game on saturday...hopefully we'll win something since it's fan appreciation night!

I love the SEP Chicago Star stories, but I'm sure I could get into some hot, baseball players.

I have written a novel about a major League Baseball team in Las Vegas, a new franchise, with a woman manager, but I can't find a publisher who wants to read it. Any suggestions? If so, please contact me. Look at my website: www.booksbyjimnewell.com for address.