Our Game

Less than two months away from graduation, Maria was feeling melancholy and alone although she had received acceptance letters from graduate schools offering to pay her full tuition. However, there was only one thing she wanted to do -- play baseball. The problem was that girls don't play professional baseball. It was a sport that had been reserved for the boys of summer for over 150 years. Fortunately for Maria, a decision had been made by the Company that it was time to change things up again. Time to enhance baseball as had been done in 1947 when the game was racially integrated, and Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Company sent its best and most supportive talent to integrate the game once again. It was time to allow women to play professional baseball.

With the assistance of one of the most successful African American entrepreneurs in the country, as well as the commissioner of baseball and a cadre of guardian angels, Maria embarks on her journey to play pro ball. However, Ken and two co-conspirators do their best to sabotage the efforts of the Company to ensure that a woman will never step foot into a major league baseball batter's box. Maria experiences a gamut of emotions as she pursues her dream. She is afraid of making a fool of herself, uncertain of her talents, ecstatic when she starts to realize her dream, and elated when a new, supportive love enters her life. Maria experiences stress, comradery, and humor interacting with male athletes whether on the baseball diamond or in the locker room. Throughout the story, hope spreads the seeds of healing to those who have been left out, left behind, or simply forgotten. Baseball reminds all Americans, again, why it is our national pastime. Why baseball is "Our Game."

Jeffrey Shafer was raised and educated in the Washington, DC area. Following several successful years as a business owner, Jeff started teaching a business ownership course at a women's college. He also started working as a high school and club volleyball coach. Jeff was inspired to write a novel about the acceptance of women into professional sports after listening to the hopes and dreams of his students and athletes. Jeff's life has been blessed with wonderful family and friends, and an upbringing that celebrated both baseball and a fair chance to compete.