The Fireballer

A Novel

By: Mark Stevens

Narrated by: Shea Taylor

A poignant story about hopes, dreams, and how far one man’s talent takes him before he realizes it’s about what you do—and how you do it.

Frank Ryder is unstoppable on the baseball field—his pitches arrive faster than a batter can swing, giving his opponents no chance. He’s being heralded as a game-changing pitcher.

But within the maelstrom of press, adulation, and wild speculation, Frank is a man alone. Haunted by a tragic incident from years past, he yearns to be the best but cannot reconcile the guilt he carries with the man everyone believes him to be. Frank’s path to redemption leads him on a journey back to where his life changed forever, to visit his family, his high school coach, and his brother. Through reconnection and reconciliation with those also deeply affected by the devastating event of Frank’s youth, he finds peace and his place in the world both in and outside the game.

The Fireballer is a lyrical, moving story of undeniable talent and the life-changing power of forgiveness and a subtly romantic ode to America’s favorite pastime.

©2023 Mark Stevens (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Critic reviews

“Shea Taylor is outstanding with every voice. He excels at differentiating men's and women's voices and keeps straight Ryder's two girlfriends, a widow, his mother and brother, a team owner, and assorted players and executives. Author Mark Stevens, while a bit heavy in the cynicism department when it comes to the media, has created a well-written book with an intriguing premise and a fascinating plot that is shaped wonderfully by Taylor's narration. Great baseball action, great writing, phenomenal narration.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Readers looking for sports fiction heavy on the baseball will enjoy this book.”—Library Journal

“Like the game of baseball, the great American pastime, there is much to love in The Fireballer by Mark Stevens…a book to enjoy like it was the seventh game of the World Series and your team won.”—New York Journal of Books

Great book

I didn’t know what to expect when I first got this book. I had never heard of it before, but it was a great read. For anyone who is a true baseball fan, a great book for you.

Edit out the children's camp.

Edit out the children's camp and this would be a solid 5+ rating. That part didn't fit and detracted from an otherwise enjoyable audiobook.

Just Wonderful

I have read the Fireballer on my Kindle, I have also read it in the paperback edition, but listening to it performed by Shea Taylor in Audible format really brought home to me more of the energy and feelings that Mark put into his characters, especially concerning Frank.

I felt like I was at an actual game in many chapters. I love baseball. The whole story is just excellent and Mark's writing is, again so descriptive just as his other novels are, so 10 stars to him!!!!

Bravo to Shea for an excellent narrative and to Mark for a great baseball book!!!

Great Book

The combination of a good story and an excellent narrator makes this book a page turner.

This is a first for me

I did battle with myself the first three days I was listening to this book. I simply could not get into it and had it already marked on my return list and was writing a poor review in my head. However, I also have a tough time not finishing books, because I always want to give them a chance to redeem themselves. This is actually the first time I have ever had a book start so badly that I almost gave up on it and had it turn out to be a good story in the end. Especially if you enjoy baseball, and you like stories that remind you that there are good people in this world, give The Fireballer a go. It all comes together beautifully in the end.

Fantastic! I will definitely listen to again!

I am not an avid follower of Major League Baseball, I follow it lightly and played some baseball in my early teens. This book was totally interesting and absorbing to me on many different levels. Mark S is a talented author who knows his baseball. Fantastic read!!!

Great story for fans of baseball & life

This started a little slow, but I slowly fell under the spell of Frank Ryder, and I hope & suspect that you will too.

Great for baseball fans

This was a very enjoyable book, especially for baseball fans. I enjoyed so much of the mental aspect of the main character and his thoughts while playing. Somewhat disappointing ending. Not super realistic and could’ve been so much stronger.

Glad my friends recommended this book

Much more than a baseball story Gripping but poignant- it was a book I didn’t want to end

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book! I learned a lot about baseball, life and more! I’m not a baseball fan at all but this story might just make me tune in this spring!