I Paid to Play the Game

I was bitten by the baseball bug at age nine while listening to Mel Allen broadcast the 1950 World Series. I had limited practical baseball experience when I attended a baseball camp in Missouri on a whim at age 18. This experience was a life changer for me. I discovered there was a lot more to baseball than throwing, catching and hitting. I spent a considerable amount of time at baseball camps in Missouri and Florida in the following four years.

Despite being shortchanged on natural ability, with the aid of good coaching and many hours of practice I improved as a baseball player. A dream came true on a chance meeting with a baseball scout who was feeling generous that day. He invited me to attend the Minnesota Twins, minor league spring training camp as a player.

The theme of this book is baseball, but it is as much travel and history. The overall message in the book is inspirational. It shows what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.

The book covers my experience on long bus rides, the highs and lows of playing baseball every day, and the camaraderie at the baseball camps.

Russell Rosen is retired and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his wife, Doreen. He is a proud father of a daughter and son and adores his three grandchildren. Russell had a long and rewarding career in Information Technology (IT), is a long-time music collector and still follows baseball closely.