In a recent, completely chance encounter, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing, inventive artist who has written a book about the effect baseball has to unite us even when we seem so focused on differences. Nathan Rueckert is the founder and CEO of Baseball Seams Co., LLC, a company that evolved from his love of baseball, his emotions related to the events and Sept. 11, 2001, and his faith.
When Rueckert was a college student in 2001, he began creating artwork from used, seemingly useless baseballs. For many years, he made only handcrafted American flag artwork from old baseballs. These pieces even sold out at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown!
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| “‘America's Game’ Original Artwork - Navy Red Unframed.” The Baseball Seams Company, www.baseballseamsco.com/collections/best-sellers/products/america-s-game-baseball-american-flag-original-artwork. |
Rueckert's book came about as a way to "... combine the story of America's pastime and those who love it today, symbolically bringing people together again" (Rueckert, xvi). In it, he shares one story from each of the 50 states, stories that were chosen because "... they represent the best in who we are as a country" (Rueckert, xvi).
The map of the United States is five feet wide and is made from over 350 baseballs "... obtained directly from each of these 50 stories" (Rueckert, xix). Willy Amos, from Mt. Pleasant, IA, is featured in the story from Iowa. He is a baseball coach and former president of the Mt. Pleasant Cal Ripken League. In 2008 his life forever changed when he was paralyzed after a hunting accident. In telling his story, readers learn how he moved forward with the help of medical professionals, his family, and--of course--baseball.
In talking with Rueckert, I shared that I was a high school teacher librarian, and I so much loved his own story of college student-turned-artist-turned-storyteller. We talked about the power of the stories he collected--that they would appeal to so many people regardless of their interest in baseball. After all, these are stories of love, of family, of perseverance, of hope, of joy. As we talked, Rueckert asked if my students would be interested in the book, and he very generously donated a signed copy to DCGHS students.
The book is now in our collection, ready for students to read and share with others. Stop by to take a look or check it out.
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