Todays world is very complex. Technology is moving at supersonic speeds, communications are immediate sometimes with unthought of consequences, many forms of social media tend to make us judgmental and personal relationships are more difficult with electronics creating barriers between us. Jack Madison was written to provide young adults, or all others , an avenue to experience a series of life lessons that can be transferred and absorbed in todays culture. The story, told through the eyes of baseball, details the life of Jack Madison from the age of 10 to 17 and his relationship with his black baseball mentor, Fred Jenkins.
Fred, originally from Mississippi, was spotted playing in a Negro baseball league by a scout from the New York Giants and was an early signee after Jackie Robinson. He played seven years in the minor leagues before retiring and moving to Fairmont to manage all the towns baseball activities. Jack Madison in many ways is your typical young person growing up in the 1950’s. He is passionate about baseball and is pretty good at it. All Jack wants to do is play baseball, win and support others in playing the game. Fred recognized Jack’s potential at an early age and began to mold him to become leader and outstanding player.
Jacks family consists of a mother, father and a brother, Phil. His father works for the East Central Railroad and his mother manages the family household. Phil and Jack are three years apart and like all siblings the relationship is at times love and not so love! They argue, fight and fuss, but never underestimate their love for each other. Jack, Fred and his teammates learn valuable lessons about winning, losing, prejudices and small town values along the way as Fred leads in developing winning teams from Little League to high school plus helping to mature those who play for him. Lessons surrounding baseball and personal events help Jack shape his life and lead him to success in family and business. In the end Jack. Fred and Fairmont may be a lesson for the reader as well.