Baseball is back. The national pastime is exactly that once again. With the rise of Tony LaRussa's Cardinals; marquee players like Jeter, Pujols, Big Papi, Ichiro, and A-Rod; a World Series coming down to the last out; and the success of interleague play, millions more are tuning in and coming out to the park. Most importantly, a new generation is learning to appreciate the long ball, a well executed hit-and-run, and a hard splitter nicking the corner.

The purpose of Before the Glory - Baseball is to convey to kids important values through the experiences of the players - specifically, their most challenging experiences as children and young adults. The idea is simple: Having tremendous power to the opposite field didn't exempt anyone from peer pressure, absentee parents, drugs, violence, academic problems, heartbreak, and gang violence.

It is important that these stories - however thought-provoking, entertaining, or even tragic - contain a clear and positive moral message. Positive identification will be promoted not by describing triumph years later as a professional athlete, but by recalling the lessons learned during childhood and the make-or-break decisions involved. The ultimate value to a kid reading Before the Glory is not the thrill of hero worship, but the realization that his favorite closer was really once just a kid himself.

An additional benefit of Before the Glory - Baseball is simply promoting literacy. As Bobby Thomson has told Bill Staples, "I hit the shot heard 'round the world, but this book should be read 'round the world." Telling a kid to read is well-intentioned. But giving him or her a book they won't be able to put down is vastly superior. The motivational children's author seeks to write a book exciting and compelling enough to grab a child's attention and not let go, thereby reinforcing the power and joy of reading. Instead of reading Green Eggs and Ham, a major leaguer will be reading his own story through Before the Glory - Baseball.

The book will consist of 20 chapters, each featuring a different baseball star. The questions asked in the interview will focus on the prime school years - ages 8 to 18. However, the stories need not be confined to the classroom. Parents, relatives, friends, teachers and coaches were important parts of their school years also. Typically, a 30- to 60-minute interview will provide enough information and stories for an engaging eight-page chapter.

To show thanks and sincere appreciation for the players' valuable contribution to this project, a sizable percentage of book royalties will be donated to a total of 20 different charities, to be chosen by the players themselves. Each player will also have the opportunity to review his own chapter before publication.

Baseball stars are in a unique position to hit a home run by inspiring and motivating kids. The author of Before the Glory - Baseball is hoping to serve a grand slam.