Written by John Finn 330-263-2145 Email Story | Print Story

December 10, 2003

For the Fun of It is a story about how Little League baseball should be played

WOOSTER, Ohio - Read between the lines of Bob Rodda's first endeavor as an author and an unmistakable passion for the game of baseball emerges. For the Fun of It, a delightful account of Rodda's Little League team's trip through the 2001 district and state playoffs, is a story about a group of boys who learned first how to play together and then how to play to win - but never at the expense of having fun.

"The game has to remain fun for the players," says Rodda, director of student activities at The College of Wooster when he's not coaching baseball. "If it's not, they'll stop playing. I made it clear to our players on the very first day that we were there to have fun."

Having fun is, in fact, the primary reason Rodda decided to write the book. "Initially, I was hoping to have a record of the season for my own purposes, a keepsake from a special season," says Rodda, whose son, Kevin, was one of 12 players on the roster. "As I got into the project, I realized that it was something I should share with all of the players, so I planned to make copies and distribute one to each of them. Then I thought, why not tell everyone, so I considered having it published."

After a period of post-event journaling, during which he had a chance to relive the joy of that magical summer for a second time, Rodda consulted with David Wiesenberg of The Wooster Book Company, and about a year later, the book was in print.

Rodda draws the reader into the experience with a simple but engaging narrative of each game as well as a behind-the-scenes look at practice sessions, road trips, and social gatherings with the players and their families. There are also player profiles and box scores from each game. The book chronicles the triumphs and the setbacks, the joy and the disappointment, and the humorous and the somber moments for his team. "I wanted to share the story of how it all came together," he says. "It was such a great experience for all of us."

Rodda's thought processes as he decides who to pitch, when to substitute, where to position his players, and a variety of other strategic decisions reminds the reader that baseball is a universal experience for those who play and coach, from Little League on up to Major League.

Beyond baseball, Rodda tells how the group goes from being a team to an extended family. "The mix of people involved with this team was fascinating and enjoyable," he says. "I was so glad for the opportunity to get to know them all so well as we lived and played together. I hope the reader gets a sense of the family atmosphere, how new friendships were forged and how existing friendships became stronger."

Rodda's passion for baseball can be traced to his early years. Growing up in Wichita, Kan., he often played by himself, throwing a ball against the garage door. He acquired the nickname "Rapid Robert" in honor of Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller, even though Rodda himself was not much of a pitcher. "In my first organized game, I walked the first four batters I faced," he recalls. "The coach came to the mound, took me out of the game, and moved me behind the plate. I never pitched again, but I never lost my passion for the game.

"What I really love about baseball is that the possibilities are endless," adds Rodda, whose team finished 11-3 overall and captured the District 4 championship. "There are so many different things that can happen in any given situation."

One of Little League baseball's more embarrassing situations came that same season when it was revealed that the star pitcher for the United States' championship team was actually 14 years old. In stark contrast, Rodda presents a purer, richer, more wholesome version of what Little League baseball was meant to be, and throughout the entire experience it is clear that he is having as much fun as anyone else - almost as if he were a kid again.

For the Fun of It is available at The Wooster Book Company (205 W. Liberty St.), Maurer Pharmacy (1827 Cleveland Rd.), and Florence O. Wilson Bookstore in Lowry Center (1189 Beall Ave.), or by contacting the author directly (330-263-2062/330-345-5955/rrodda@wooster.edu).