Summer means popsicles and running through the sprinklers. It means no school and camping trips. It means the beach, sunburns, and fireworks. And, for me, it also means baseball.
How can you not be romantic about baseball?
That line is from Moneyball, a baseball movie about the Oakland Athletics starring Brad Pitt. I love that line, because, for me, it’s the truth.
God bless “the boys of summer” because they make fireworks happen! My team is the Houston Astros, and I attended my very first game when I was five years old. My dad and my uncle Billy took me and my younger sister. It was perfection because not only is the game easy to understand, I got to jump up and down, and yell, and cheer, and sing and no one told me to be quiet. (People were forever telling me to be quiet when I was younger!)
Anyway, to me, baseball is romantic. I’ve spent my anniversary at baseball games. I love to relax, eat peanuts, drink a coke, have some ice cream, and keep score in my playbook while I watch those boys make magic happen.
In fact, I love baseball so much, I write it into my romances.
My most recent release, THE RAIN LILY takes place in Houston, and my hero, Keaton Hayes, is a pitcher for the Houston Buffaloes. The Buffaloes were a real team, and they won the championship in 1905, which is when THE RAIN LILY takes place.
I surely enjoyed researching this team and others. Baseball has been around since the late 1840s and started in New Jersey. Houston had a team in the 1880s, but they were called the Mud Cats at that time. The team had a few name changes, even calling themselves the Magnolias because Houston was nicknamed “Magnolia City” for a good while. Eventually, they settled on the Houston Buffaloes, naming themselves after Buffalo Bayou, the city’s main source of commerce. If it hadn’t been for the winding bayou that curves its way through our city, there’d be no Houston.
Even though baseball isn’t central to the plot of THE RAIN LILY, it makes the story richer. It gives insight into Keaton and who he is as a person. I love it when characters have outside pursuits within a romance novel. Often, that’s when you learn more about the time period and people’s daily lives.
Loving the game is in my blood. Even though most of my family lives in Texas, and we do love football, it’s baseball that’s always been our sport. No matter what. In fact, when I was researching my family, I found two pictures of my great-grandfather that I’m sharing with y’all. These photos are the only ones we have of him, and until I saw them, I never knew what he looked like. He died when my grandmother was six, and I’ve always been curious about him. He was a farmer from Kansas.
Here’s the other picture I have of him. Isn’t he sooo handsome?
Thank you for letting me gush about baseball today. I’d love to hear what summer activities you enjoy! Comment below, and three people will win a copy of THE RAIN LILY!
You’ll love Adeline, a lively, bold young woman who’s fighting to get back to the person she used to be, and Keaton, an elusive bachelor who challenges her not to hide in the shadows.
ABOUT KARA:
My love of reading began when I picked up my first Rudyard Kipling book at age four. Somehow my enthusiasm for the written word turned into a writing career. Becoming an author was not something I planned on, but now that I’m here, I intend to write stories that make readers smile, cry and laugh. I hope my books help you connect with life, with love, and take away the stress of your day.
The books I write include strong family bonds, loyal friendships, mischief, humor, a little bit of suspense, plenty of steamy romance, and happy ever afters. After a little bit of trouble, the characters get everything they want!
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I’ve always been a Phillies fan and my husband is a Yankees fan.
I once wrote a short essay about a trip to see the Yankees one summer and won a writing contest.
That’s so cool! Congratulations! Baseball in writing make a beautiful pair!
I really don’t watch sports. But I really did enjoy it when my boys were in little league!
Little League is so much fun. T-ball is REALLY fun! They’re so cute at that age.
I’m a “cubbie”. Lol Love the Chicago Cubs.
Many many years ago I worked for the Valley Cats baseball team in Troy, New York. They are affiliates of the Houston Astros.
When I first dated dating my now husband he brought me to work and he was going to watch the game. Well I had other plans lol. We needed someone to dress as South Paw the mascot. It was the hottest and longest game ever. 13 innings. Don’t remember temp. He enjoyed his self so much that he continued to fill in when needed. He even decided to marry me the following year.
We both worked with the team for 3years.
That’s awesome! I have looked into jobs for minor league teams. It’s something I want to do after I retire.
hiking
Love hiking. Palo Duro Canyon especially!
Good morning Kara! I absolutely love the cover of your book! It is very eye catching! My favorite time in the summer is spending time with my grandson! We have played putt putt golf, volleyball, and other activities.
Best wishes on your book!
Grandkids! Yes! I’m getting closer to that stage. I can’t wait.
I enjoy flower gardening. I’m not into sports unless I know someone who is playing. My grandchildren play soccer in early summer which I enjoy.
My mom is an expert gardener. I do not gave her skills but I sure wish I did. It’s an amazing talent.
I watch baseball and football with my hubby but I can take it or leave it. Lol. His favorite team to watch are the Detroit Tigers and the Lions.
Love the Tigers!!!!
If I watch any sports, it is basketball.
Baseball and golf are moving too slow for me.
Yeah, I get that. I used to watch a lot of basketball. I’m not sure why I stopped. I really love the Pacers and Rockets.
I do not watch sports at all. When I was younger I did play some soft ball on a team. I enjoy taking walks in the summer if its not to hot.
The heat can ruin things, can’t it? We have a bunch of parks around us that have trails through the pine trees and swamps. The shade sure helps!
Since summer is my favorite season I enjoy so many outdoor activities. Baseball, walking, bike riding and swimming.
You’re very active! Wish I did all that!
Baseball it is! When it’s too hot to garden outside, my husband and I watch baseball. Our team is the Arizona Diamondbacks, but we’ll watch most any game. When I was married to my first husband, who was from Louisiana, we went to a lot of Astros games at the Astrodome in the 70s. But my very first time going to a baseball game was when I was 5 years old. My Dad was stationed in NY at the time and we lived on Long Island. He took me to see the Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers. I loved it! I also learned some new words from fans that my Dad told me to never repeat! LOL When I was 23 I became a Little League umpire (long story). I heard a lot of non-repeatable words then too, because I was the only female umpire. I’ll be sure to put your book on my TBR list!
You were an umpire? That’s awesome! I love the Diamondbacks. I was rooting for them in the World Series!
Your post was wonderful. Summer is so meaningful and special, The sunshine and warmth and spending hours outside. When the kids were young we went to parks, rode bikes together and played baseball in the parks. Now we play tennis, and have fun with the baseball as well as certain perfect park toys.
Thank you so much. I used to play tennis a lot. Lately, I’ve been thinking of playing again. Mostly because I’m trying to be more active. We’ll see! I’m 49 so hopefully my knees can keep up with me.
I’m not a big fan of summer. It’s kind of my nemesis with my migraines, so my favorite activity would be reading or watching TV/movies inside with the cold AC on.
I completely understand that. I’m fair skinned so I have to be careful. I do most of my reading in the summer.
Baseball is a summer sport which I always enjoyed and now that my grandson plays it is wonderful. He also loves summer as do I so we explore and play several fun outdoor games and sports.
That’s great that y’all spend that time together. He’s gonna remember you took the time to support him!
Hi Kara, thanks for coming to visit! Nothing goes with summer like baseball. The sport has been for a very long time. Wow, to have a grandfather who played!!! How awesome is that. Love the pictures. Celebrate your new book. Rain Lily looks amazing.
Thank you so much! Finding those pictures was so exciting!
swimming walking I prefer reading about sports in fiction. Your books sounds fantastic
Thank you so much!
My husband and I are die hard Mets fans. We are in Kenya right now, but we manage to listen to some of the games even if they are on in the middle of the night.
I love the Mets! Such a cool team.
I used to enjoy playing tennis, but it got too difficult to find anyone to partner with me. Anymore I enjoy playing outside with my dogs, or sometimes reading outside in the shade.
I love to read outside. It’s so peaceful.
I love spending quality time with my family, especially playing boardgames with them . I love spending my time with my family.
We’ve been playing Trivial Pursuit. My husband is really good at it, which annoys my daughter to no end.
We played softball in school and our children all did T-ball and Little league. Sadly, the behavior of parents and some coaches soured them on participating. We couldn’t put up with parents sneaking chewing tobacco through the fence to their 10 year olds during the game.
I’ve enjoyed watching football since high school. Now I enjoy watching college football more than the pros. For our summer activities, we like to hike and canoe. Not exactly team sports. We enjoy the peace and quiet and the beauty of nature.
It’s disheartening when adults ruin things like that. We had similar issues when our kids played. Hiking and canoeing are some of my favorites, too! In Texas, we also float rivers in intertubes. It’s peaceful and beautiful.
I love baseball and always watch my team even when they are loosing and not in contention this year for a playoff spot. there is always next year.
Yep! That’s loyalty!
My favorite summer activity is family road trips. It is fun to travel and make precious memories.
Completely agree! We always take one trip each year with our kids. That time is priceless.
I love spending time with family. I like baseball.
Family is so important. I can’t do without mine.
Jose Altuve is such a great family man and my favorite Astro. I’m looking forward to your book 🙂
Altuve is amazing. I’m so thankful he’s on our team! Nice to meet a fellow Astros fan!
A family of 3 girls, we were deep into fast-pitch softball every year growing up in Southeast Texas. Then we would go home to watch the Astros. Many, many, many years later we are still an Astros family. If you get a chance, watch the Nolan Ryan documentary. He holds many records still today.
Love the photos of your great grandfather. Yes, he is very handsome.
Love the cover of your book.
Hello, fellow Astros fan! Yay!!! I did watch the Nolan Ryan documentary. That man was amazing. Glad you enjoyed the post!