Out of My League
By Dirk Hayhurst

It's hard to believe that a person so modest and self-effacing as Dirk Hayhurst could ever dream of becoming a big league ballplayer. But those dreams are the subject of Hayhurst's auto-biographical book "Out of My League."

The book illuminates not only Hayhurst's struggles but the heartbreaking ups and downs of other minor league hopefuls as they strive to make The Bigs . It's not a pretty picture, quite gross at times.

Hayhurst has a great sense of humour and he's painfully honest about his shortcomings and hang-ups as a ballplayer and about his less than ideal family life. The result is an inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and never giving up in pursuit of one's goals. After finally reaching the big leagues, however briefly, he realizes that's not all that life is about; that family life is far more important and that his real talent is as a writer.

This is Hayhurst's second book. I can't wait to read his first - The Bullpen Gospels.

Barry Francis