Just Need an Opportunity

Let's Play Ball

By: Tony Vlahovic MA. MPM.

Narrated by: Tony Vlahovic, Trevor O'hare

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Tony Vlahovic is a former professional baseball player. Surviving life’s strikeouts and difficult innings, Tony’s journey to self-discovery led him to help people with disabilities live out their dreams by using his passion for baseball. Just Need An Opportunity “Let’s Play Ball” is full of heart and serves as a testament to what Tony has endured and conquered on and off of the field as a player and a person.

This hard-nosed opportunist believes baseball is like life; it throws multiple curveballs and sliders while you’re up to bat. Once you get the opportunity to learn and study the pitcher’s specialty, you’ll knock it out of the ballpark!

Whether you're a lover of the game of baseball, an inspiring philanthropist, or simply looking for motivation, this is a sure page-turner. This book is highly recommended to inspire listeners never to give up, learn from their mistakes, and stay true to themselves. Your Opportunity Starts Now!

©2023 Tony Vlahovic (P)2023 Tony Vlahovic

Critic reviews

JUST NEED AN OPPORTUNITY “LET’S PLAY BALL” is a must read for anyone interested in teaching or coaching; Tony continues to IMPACT LIVES!” – Scott Bradley

A story about courage and inspiration.

Tony embodies the quote “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though chequered by failure…..” - T.R. and then moves on to support and inspire countless others to rise above their challenges. A remarkable story about a remarkable man.

Touching Story

This story touched my heart. Tony is a true inspiration. I highly recommend this read.

Giving A Chance

I recommend this book to anyone who is open to reflection on how they can take on one additional purpose in their lives: to serve others, and in this case, to SEE others that we may not have served to date.

I remember being given a chance as a walk-on Lacrosse player in college. Coach Williams allowed me a chance to play Lacrosse; I had no prior experience, but he saw my eagerness to learn and respected the skills I brought from other sports I played. I remember my first sales position out of college. Sydney Payne gave me that chance to sell for P&G. I had no prior selling experience, but I had the desire, drive, and eagerness to learn. He saw that and gave me a chance.

Tony's book made me realize that it's probably not too often that those who are disabled are given a chance and that it's probably not too often the disabled are recognized for their eagerness, desire, and drive to learn. Tony's book is a good reminder of why we need to open our eyes and SEE what those with challenges have to offer. Undoubtedly, the disabled had all the qualities I had been recognized for to have a CHANCE to play Lacross and enter a sales career, the drive, desire, and eagerness to learn. It's up to us to SEE it in the disabled.

Tony has found his WHY? Beyond becoming a great husband, father, and friend to others, he looked further. He looked to see those disabled and saw a desire and drive that these disabled boys and young men wanted a CHANCE to play baseball. While not everyone has the skills Tony had to teach baseball, after all, he played pro baseball; we can all open our eyes to see those disabled as serving a chance just like we have been given. We can look for opportunities in simple everyday situations, at work, and anywhere we can open our eyes to SEE them. Thanks, Tony, for opening my eyes to expanding my "lens" to look to give the disabled a chance.

Inspires one to believe again.

A tale to remind us how to define our own success and enjoy the results of our hard work.

Inspiring story

Tony’s journey is an amazing tale that ends up not just helping himself but most importantly have an impact on so many folks w disabilities that just need an opportunity to play the great game of baseball! Keep doing great work Tony! You motivate and inspire so many - thank you for sharing your story!!!

Truly inspiring story of heart and dedication

Loved how the book was written from the heart and is a platform to increase awareness and inclusion for individuals with disabilities

Story is a testimony to passion in the face of adversity and the power of putting others before yourself.

Tony’s story motivates anyone to push themselves beyond life’s disappointments and know that life will always put you where you are meant to be.

An Engaging and Inspiring Story

A truly inspiring story. Just Need an Opportunity follows Tony Vlahovic’s inspiring life story, and the bumps along the way that led him to transforming the lives of hundreds of children and adults with special needs. Tony Vlahovic speaks to anyone who is looking to take their passion and use it to make a difference in the world.

A really amazing story

This is a book about an amazing man trying to do things for other people in spite of many setbacks in his life.
I was lucky enough to be a spectator at the Special Olympics baseball final game at the Trenton Thunder stadium in 2014. What an amazing feeling to watch that team of guys who’d never had a chance before Tony put a team together, to play baseball at all, much less win a gold medal.
This book tells his story and theirs. Read it.