Frank Ryder is a freak of nature. At least that’s what his fellow MLB players, sports broadcasters, and even Baltimore Orioles fans call him. When a pro-baseball pitcher averages 105 mph (or more) on his pitches, there’s few explanations for the 23-year-old’s crazy talent and athleticism. Despite his success on the mound, Frank struggles with a dark past underneath the surface. And when MLB executives begin to worry about how his performance will affect the game of baseball, the pressure mounts to something he can’t ignore. The Fireballer by Mark Stevens is a story about unmatched talent and the power of forgiveness, with one of America’s favorite pastimes as the backdrop. 

Frank Ryder has loved baseball all his life. Although his parents tried to steer him and his twin brother Josh away from sports, one moment to show off his skills is all it takes for coaches to try to persuade them otherwise. Thus he began playing in little league and honing in on his gift. But then, when he is 12 years old, he causes a tragic accident during a game, complicating his love of the sport from that point on.

Nevertheless, he gets drafted to the Baltimore Orioles and lands his dream career. Unfortunately, due to the speed of his pitches, batters are rarely able to make contact with the ball. Team owners and other exec-types see this as an issue – will fans want to come see a game where no players on their home team can hit the ball? If they try to alleviate the situation by putting a cap on Ryder’s performance, what message does that send to current and prospective players? The Fireballer explores these conversations from the POV of players, administrators, and Ryder himself. 

Besides the politics of the game, there’s the elephant in Ryder’s mind. He still hasn’t forgiven himself from the tragic accident he caused ten years ago. And he avoids talking about it whenever possible. When reporters ask, he shuts them down. Even his high school sweetheart Maggie doesn’t know what’s giving him the yips in the middle of the season. Still, the Orioles are on track to make it to the World Series, and if Frank Ryder wants to take them all the way, he has to figure out how to clear his mind and his conscience. 

The Fireballer is a heartfelt story about how outside pressures and guilt can affect an athlete’s psyche, and in turn, his performance. Not to mention the politics involved behind the scenes. Baseball lovers and players will definitely appreciate this one. Personally, I’m a sucker for more suspense-filled stories, and this one lacks in that category. Mark Stevens definitely has a talent for writing relatable and multidimensional characters, but the pacing was slow up until the last ten or so chapters. For some, this is reflective of the nature of baseball in general – oftentimes the game is slow, but when there’s excitement, it’s worth paying attention. 

Mark Stevens joins us for a Cantina Conversation to talk about what inspired him to write this story and why he decided to try something different than his previous works. Keep an ear out for an upcoming episode of The Nerd Cantina Show podcast and preorder The Fireballer, available January 1, 2023.