Why would respected and famous Americans risk their reputations to create a web of deceit to fabricate, promote, and defend the myth that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown, New York? Further, if not Doubleday, then who did invent baseball?

Contrary to what many people still believe, the Doubleday myth is completely false. Based on a true story, this book describes the circumstances leading up to the creation of the myth by influential figures and the efforts of a librarian to expose the truth.

Although major league baseball serves as a portion of the backdrop, this incredible story has little to do with understanding how to play the game. Rather, it reports on the inconsistencies inherent within the American psyche. People associated with this tale include nationally prominent politicians, previous major figures from baseball and other sport, royalty from abroad, leaders of industry, and other historical figures of note, such as Thomas Edison, Mark Twain, and Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. Whether you’re a history buff, sports fan, bibliophile, student of business strategy, or enjoy reading some fun stories from international destinations and any of several places across America, ranging in size from Cedar Rapids to St. Paul to Washington DC, Chicago, and New York City, this book is for you.

In novel form, the telling of the story places circumstances and related events into a striking historical perspective, where much of what is contained herein appears in print for the first time. Being a knowledgeable sports fan won’t help you here, and the reader who thinks Americans, in general, are philosophically superior to people of other nations in all ways may wish to reconsider that perspective. As to the importance and prevalence of truth-that question is left for the reader to determine. This book only addresses the mystery associated with the Ball of Lies.