- Matters come to a head in the concluding episode of The Deadball Files.

Baseball sleuth Adam Wallace finds himself on two seemingly independent quests. The Hall of Fame asks him to research the details of the very first Congressional Baseball Game -- now an annual charitable event in the nation's capital -- for a new exhibit on baseball and politics. And the Commissioner of Baseball asks him to examine the newly legitimized relationship between Major League Baseball and companies that facilitate gambling on the games. His tasks have more in common than he had realized, and neither leads quite where he had expected.

Adam uncovers a lot of information about that first game on Capitol Hill, played in 1909, right down to the official box score, and he's well on his way to telling a tale of how a powerful politician used baseball to help relieve the tension that had been building in the House of Representatives when he realizes that a protagonist of that story, former major league pitcher and then congressman John Tener, provides a bridge to the Commissioner's concerns. As Governor of Pennsylvania Tener later launched a national campaign against gambling in baseball, which led to his selection as president of the National League not long before the Black Sox scandal.

As for the gambling in the game today? That quest takes Adam from the streets of the Lower East Side to the mountains of Costa Rica, and in the end it leads straight to... Oops. Almost gave it away!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"[Manheim] is to be commended for penning an interesting tale that effortlessly blends fact with fiction, along with ample doses of baseball history, American history, and politics. He demonstrates a remarkable ability to intertwine numerous threads into a coherent narrative covering different historical eras; and somehow, in the author's skilled hands, they all tie together by the story's surprising conclusion. [His] attention to detail, his extensive research into the subject matter, and his talent for character and plot development make this a book well worth reading." Gary Livacari, BaseballHistoryComesAlive.com

"J.B. Manheim has a real talent for blending historical facts with a modern mystery, creating a story that’s both educational and highly entertaining. His deep knowledge of baseball and politics adds extra layers to the plot, making the book more than just a typical detective novel. The twists and turns keep you hooked, and, by the end, everything falls into place in a way that is both surprising and completely logical. I loved how the dual timelines added depth, using real historical events to reflect on modern issues. Adam Wallace is a smart and engaging detective—his sharp mind and personal struggles make this just as much about his journey as it is about solving the case. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, the way the game’s history and culture are woven into the plot makes it easy to appreciate why it all matters. Overall, Field of Schemes is a fantastic conclusion to the series, but it also works as a standalone story that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries, political thrillers, and sports fiction." Readers’ Favorite

"The author’s knowledge of the sport and of the many aspects that influence the outcome of a specific game, inning, out, and even a pitch is remarkable — and presented in an engrossing format... that keep[s] the reader guessing as the plot moves forward." Kris Rutherford, Here's The Pitch

BOOK SIX OF THE DEADBALL FILES

by J B Manheim
Page Count: 238
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: February 18, 2025
Imprint: Milford House
Genre: Sports