Customer Reviews

The Opposite Field: A Memoir

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Jesse Katz's memoir is not about baseball, though baseball is central to the story. "The Opposite Field" is really about his relationships with the people closest to him in his life: his parents, his (ex) wife, his lovers, and the most important person in his world: his son Max. This is the story of Jesse's years as a baseball coach and commissioner for the La Loma Sports Club, the youth sports association in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park he and Max call home. Interwoven in the narrative of these years are the stories of his tumultuous marriage, his often-troubled relationship with his stepson, and his complicated search for love. Also prominent are memories of his youth in Portland, Oregon and his remarkable parents, his father Mel, an artist; and his mother Vera, who served three terms as Portland's mayor after distinguished service in the Oregon legislature.

At the center of the narrative, and of Jesse's heart, is Max, the only child of his marriage. Although the grander themes of baseball as a shared ritual passed from father to son are explored, this is not an urban field of dreams (though there is a season finale worthy of the film version of "The Natural".) It's a difficult and messy place, populated by people with broken families struggling to maintain stability in the face of economic issues, substance abuse and a myriad of other problems. If things weren't complicated enough, hostile neighbors, corrupt vendors and cultural barriers are also part of the mix. Through it all, Jesse struggles manfully to keep the baseball program afloat while constantly wondering if he's doing right by his son. He stepped up to save the baseball program when it was teetering on the brink of oblivion; yet it extracts a steep price in time and energy.

Katz is a senior writer at Los Angeles Magazine and has shared two Pulitzer Prizes. Readers of "The Opposite Field" will understand why. He has a gift for painting compelling word portraits of the people and places that have shaped his life. This is a story that's at turns funny, moving, sad and heartwarming. A first-rate memoir from start to finish.--William C. Hall

Although this memoir centers on a father's relationship with his son, through baseball, it's far more than that. To save the Little League he winds up managing one of the teams, and the league, and the park. It becomes a number of narrative threads: his son, his Nicaraguan wife, a troubled stepson as well, his feisty and vivid mother, who is mayor of Portland.

The story needs the reader's full attention, since Katz leaps back and forth in time and location, in mood and in characters. The push-pull relationships, and rivalries, are just as personal in his dealings with other coaches, with league players' parents, as they are with his extended family. The personal troubles he observes, or confronts, get to be far darker than what you'd expect from a book ostensibly about Little League. It's fortunate that the author's prose is direct and terse, because the story is really something of a saga, a wide-screen story of all the people and worlds he encounters as a young and middle-aged man.

It's a much larger story than its cover would suggest, and all of it in 300 pages or so. It's remarkable and forthright, and well worth the reader's time.

Pulitzer Prize winning writer Jesse Katz examines his past with his unique memoir THE OPPOSITE FIELD that involves the complex and not so complex familial relationships and those he closely associated with on and off the baseball field. He literally incorporates the significance of the game of baseball that symbolically stresses the so-called game of life and all of its intricate elements that follows a path of unpredictability; metaphorically speaking that begins at home and proceeds with the process of getting back home. Readers may draw this connection with the major themes of the book, coming of age and the steps toward maturity as depicted through Katz's multicultural and multifaceted experiences that takes place within his lifetime and the places he has lived and visited; Katz's recollections of his childhood in Portland, Oregon and within the California sunshine in La Loma Park where Katz and his son Max spent many a season playing ball and nurturing their relationship between father and son.

The most interesting aspect about the book is the not straightforward or romanticized reflection of the game as it relates to Katz life. However, with his past recollections, there is bit of nostalgia as he retells his childhood memories. And as one first glances at the title and the opening pages, thoughts come to mind, such as how the story may possibly be yet another story about baseball that resonates FIELD OF DREAMS OR THE NATURAL. But Katz's memoir is more than fulfilling one's hopes and dreams, but rather the unselfish need to share one's aspirations amidst the whirlwind of births, marriages, divorce, illnesses, and deaths. And at the same time, his narrative is indeed a confessional that embarks on attempting to understand past connections with those he encounters, be it his parents, son, friends, or significant others.

THE OPPOSITE FIELD is an immensely detailed and insightful memoir. The story is engaging and enticing as well as reflective of Jesse Katz's life.

Jesse Katz has written some wonderful magazine and newspaper articles for the Los Angeles Times. He can get readers empathizing with the meanest gang members and the most innocent of victims. His writing can leave you spellbound. He deserves the two Pulitzers he has.

But somehow, all that talent for organization was lacking in this book. I was expecting a memoir about a baseball coach-turned commissioner, not an autobiography that meanders all over his life, and by page 50 I was ready to read about the rag-tag little league team Katz erroneously inherited. I was not interested in learning about Katz' early years and his generous sharing of his manliness. To say that he is fond of all things Latina is an understatement, (but we don't learn why until page 142-148).

Just as the professional reviews have readers thinking this was a memoir about a Los Angeles little league team, beset with strong personalities, money problems, screaming parents and challenged kids, there was often too much other stuff interspersed in the chapters to make the story flow smoothly. Katz reminisces far too much about his life throughout this book. There were too many times I put the book down in exasperation when he'd go off on a tangent again about his failed loves, his Jewish parents, how his mother came to this country, how he, as a rising privileged college student worked for a time in Nicaragua, the troubles with his gang-banging totally unmotivated stepson and his job as a newspaper gang reporter.

All that aside, the pages devoted to his son Max were truly touching. Of all his failures in life, being Max' father was a priority and it shows. If the reader can peal all the other distractions of this book away (see previous paragraph) this is a touching read. However, reading should be enjoyable, not tortuous.

Since I read the uncorrected proof, perhaps the final version will be better edited, chapters will be better organized and events in Katz' life will be rearranged better. As it is now, what I read felt more like an autobiography in flashbacks, with the Monterey Park field and his son Max being the core of this book.

The reader senses this book is to honor his son and their bond, as if to make up for previous shortcomings.

Jesse Katz is a talented writer. But unlike Timothy Egan, Katz can not go from magazine or feature writing to book writing. Those are two totally different genres. His years of writing feature news stories shows; the book is crammed with too many features that the focus gets lost.

I know my review sounds harsh, but I am not going to forsake Katz either. He will write another winner, but this book, sadly, is not one of them.

Having been involved with youth baseball for over 40 years (no kids of my own) I was instantly drawn to this book by the title and the photo of a boy on the cover. Author Jesse Katz recounts his years of playing the role of Commissioner and coach of his son's baseball team through his elementary and middle school years in school. He took a dying program in Monterey Park, California, and volunteered his services for La Loma Park while dealing with disgruntled parents ("I thought this was for the kids."), budgets, other coaches, and hundreds of kids involved in the program.

This is not your stereotypical story of a parent reliving his baseball life through his son. I see this as a love story between father and coach Jesse and his son Max. Author and father Jesse is an understanding coach who would put the interests of his players ahead of any of his own ego satisfaction. We get to see how their player draft is carried out and manipulated each year to keep desired players on their team from one year to the next. The author served as Commissioner for four years which meant dealing with parents of all types, some who want to be in charge without having the responsibility of being in charge.

We see how Max changes as he grows older. He has his screw-ups as all kids do, but manages to redirect his goals in a more satisfactory direction. We also see a high school basketball coach who demands commitment for his sport, but fails to see that Max also has a commitment to his baseball team for one final game. This sounds all too familiar.

Author Katz also recounts his relationship with his divorced parents, his divorced wife, and some unsuccessful relationships with other women he met through his life's experiences. Photographs would have been a nice addition to the book.

In regard to a coach's experiences with youth baseball I have found that the real trophies are not the dust collectors that sit on a shelf. The real trophies are the memories you have of the players you coached.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jesse Katz writes his own story in "The Opposite Field." It is an amazing story of self discovery, of fatherhood, little league baseball, failed relationships, raising the standard of excellence, and passing along the torch.

Early in his career as a journalist with the Los Angeles Times, Katz begins a personal quest to integrate himself into the community and culture of Latinos in Monterey Park, a community fast becoming a center for Asian families, homeowners and investors.

An unusual courtship, an introduction into the plight of Mexican immigration, a marriage of convenience, and fatherhood quickly follow through a unique chain of events.

Five years later, Jesse's love for baseball entices him to enroll his five year old son in T-Ball at La Loma Park with the Monterey Park Sports Club. Katz describes his rise from coach to commissioner of the club (by default) with candor, exposing the reality of his vulnerability, and the resultant individual sacrifice.

Katz shares personal insights into his perspectives on human nature, parenting, and coaching. He discusses character traits that unite and those that divide. He deals with traits that dictate propensities and aversions, as well as considerations of restraint versus latitude. He talks about finding balance and overlap when weighing the values of order, formality, and sacrifice with freeing or squashing the spirit. He considers the relationship of developing independence, creativity, skepticism, with obedience, and duty in producing fairness, humor and tolerance.

Carefully crafted "The Opposite Field" is the result of poignant story can creativity. The book highlights heartbreak, humor, philosophy, and inspiration. The simple irony disclosed by the title of the book culminates in Katz's self discovery through "letting go."
Powerfully written.

I loved Bill Geist's Little League Confidential. The story of his years as a Little League coach is a hilarious tale of quirky kids, meddling parents and the timeless game of baseball.

Mr. Katz's book is only peripherally about baseball, even though it is arranged around his time as commissioner of his son's La Loma, Calif., Little League club. I enjoyed maybe the first chapter or two, when he first sees the neighborhood park the league calls home. Mr. Katz's writing is evocative -- his love of the park and the place he calls home is more than evident.

If only he had stayed at the park! Instead, most of the book is taken up with establishing his street cred as a writer whose beat is gang life, his PC multi-culti-ness, his failed marriage and his creepy fetish for sassy Hispanic babes. (She's married? So much the better!)

When Mr. Katz does focus on baseball, it's all about the mechanics of running the league. Interesting in a peripheral sort of way... but what about the kids? There's almost nothing about the kids, no dialog, no interactions with them, no sense of them at all. The same is true of his relationship with his son, Max. He's barely a presence in the book. Even when Mr. Katz confesses his affair with a married baseball parent, he doesn't record his son's reaction. What he does choose to reveal about him is just sad. For example, he recounts an incident after a championship game when Max has apparently wet his pants. There's no point to the story, except to humiliate him. I thought it was going to be a lesson on pushing your kid too hard, but nope, the incident ends without reflection.

In fact, I felt sorry for his son many times, no more so than after a game his team won in the finals, after which Mr. Katz dumps him with his parents (who rarely visit and have flown in for the occasion) and goes out for a beer with his married lady friend. Oh, and when Mr. Katz dumps him on his ex-wife so he can chase Latina skirts in Cuba. In fact, though Mr. Katz claims he did this whole Little League thing for his son, I don't buy it. Mr. Katz seems to do what he does for no one but himself. That's fine, whatever floats his boat, but it's that adolescent self-absorption that ultimately ended the game for me.

Friends:

When I selected this book I did not understand that it had a lot to do with baseball and I thought I would hate it. GUESS WHAT? The book is not really about baseball but about THE LOVE BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS SON; and THAT my friends, overwhelmed me and stole my heart! THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!! I repeat THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!!

First of all, the author Jesse Katz, IS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED AUTHORS I HAVE EVER READ!!! WOW!!! And then, his personal story is so honest and open, and sincere and moving, that you have to care about him and his son!

IT IS A GREAT READ until the last few chapters and then it starts to fall a part a bit but I understand why. It is because the lives of Jessie the author and Max his son are not over yet, and so the book can not really end, it can only stop or pause.

I hope Jesse allows me and all of you to know how the stories end.

BUY THIS BOOK and DO SHARE IT WITH SENSITIVE FRIENDS.

Jesse Katz: This book is wonderful and I love you and Max very much. I wish you both every blessings.

First I saw this book in a bookstore and wasn't sure I'd want to read it. When it came up as a Vine choice, I decided to request it. In this case, the fates were kind. I loved this book.

When Jesse Katz coaches his son in Little League baseball, his life is changed forever. He agrees to serve as commissioner of the league because nobody else seemed to have the right combination of willingness and skill. As coach and commissioner, Jesse dealt with difficult parents, errant coaches and most of all, erratic finances. The League takes over his life.

I couldn't help wondering how Jesse could do all this and still hold his job. Even a magazine journalist must have to write a story now and then. Jesse obviously earned a good living, although his lifestyle seems simple. Baseball seemed to consume everything.

Jesse clearly is an adventurous spirit. His son Max was born out of a young alliance with a Nicaraguan woman. As Jesse says, they beat the odds, staying together for more than a dozen years. Jesse ended up helping his wife and her extended family who entered the US with or without legal papers. As a reader I wondered about parallels between Jesse's helpfulness within his family and his athletic league. He's a truly unique individual.

Jesse's mother was mayor of Portland, Oregon, for three terms. Apparently she was influential in making Portland one of the most desirable place to live for many people. I'd have liked to see more in the book about her.

As other reviewers have noted, I'd have liked a little less detail or perhaps tighter writing. Jesse has so much material here and many stories seem to run parallel. I had no trouble keeping everything straight, although I did get confused about the many people involved in the athletic league. Of course I don't have kids, don't know anything about athletic leagues and don't follow baseball.

Jesse comes across as someone who's easy to admire. He's goal-oriented with a willingness to take risks that probably will continue all his life. I'd be curious to know where Jesse's son Max is now. He must be choosing a college and growing into adulthood. In the book, he plays baseball and basketball. Will he continue to be athletic and how has his father's intensity shaped his own life?

The fact that I wanted to ask these questions shows how much the book drew me in and let me care about the characters.

I finished this book in less than a week, which in the current sphere of my life and activities, that is pretty rare with me reading books these days. I must add that my wife and child were away during much of this week so I had more time to read. But the book impelled me through to the end and it didn't disappoint. Katz does jump quite a bit from story line to story line, but I found this stimulating rather than off-putting after a while. His story is a messy one, single child to two New York parents who decide to move to Portland, Ore. when Jesse is two, his parents divorcing when he is 16; his rocky relationship at the writer's spawning college, Bennington, and then his move to L.A. where he romances and then marries an undocumented Nicaraguan woman, the Little League imbroglios and finally another rocky relationship with a married woman with many kids. And that's not the whole of it. Many people writing this book would've opted to go non-fiction I think b/c that would cut them slack on the many awkward and embarrassing interludes depicted in the book, but Katz to his credit lays it all on the line and says in his acknowledgments that he didn't even change a name.
In the end, as the father of a three-year-old, looking for guidance and another father's deep experience with his son in a sporting environment, I found this book very touching, well-written, and moving.