The Hijacker

The last thing we expected to bump into on a ball field in Normandy was an airplane hijacker, but that’s exactly what happened. Yes, an air pirate, a fugitive from justice still wanted by the FBI for the 1972 hijacking of a Delta airliner from Detroit to Algiers. When we learned who it was, we were…

Pitching Grenades

French Baseball History Part 5

We’re publishing this article to commemorate one of the most deadly battles in history, the Battle of the Somme which began 100 years ago today and claimed nearly 20,000 lives on the first day alone. By the time the…

The French dis-Connection

French Baseball History Part 7

Sheepish Behavior

Comets Story 13

A question: What do a German bunker, a public toilet and a bale of hay have in common? Answer: They were all part of my plan to be in shape for next season.

Teammates

Comets Story 9

The Coach

The Honfleur Comets had one common denominator: baseball. And baseball to them meant Axel Schuster, the man who had taught all of them the game.

Sex and the Married Ball Player

Comets Story 12, but don’t look for photos!

With Don’s first season as a Comet now history, we felt we could stay in Normandy for the next few months. As a result, we decided to give our bank account a much-needed boost…

Taking the Field

Comets Story 8

Sunday, the day of Don’s first baseball game as a player in nearly half a century, dawned like a day out of a Disney movie: all zippity-do-da, what a wonderful day. The sun was shining, birds were singing and Don was practically dancing around the…

That Championship Season

Comets Story 14

Ah, March! Howling winds, torrential rains and mind-numbing temperatures. I was in great spirits. Great because it marked the beginning of my second season with the Comets.

Just When Things Were Looking Up. . .

French Baseball History Part 6

With so many starts and stops, even the most canny prognosticator would have been hard-pressed to predict where French baseball was heading. Was it just hype when A. G. Spalding predicted…

Season Ender

Comets Story 11

Winning got to be a habit for the Comets as their season drew to an end. They toppled the Jimmers and the Seagulls, and Don’s hitting streak continued with each win.