Beast

Based on the real events occurring throughout the Little League career of Nathaniel Donch--a nine-year-old with autism--this story will load up the bases with heart, mind, and soul, and send it all home like a last inning, walk-off grand slam.

Emerson Park, Auburn, New York: home of the baseball fields used by Auburn Little League. It's a place where a young player's dreams can come true, where memories are made and revisited. For nine-year-old Nathaniel, it's where he gets to do his favorite thing ? play baseball. At one important game, it grows clear that there is more at stake than the outcome of a game between two teams. At stake are the hopes of Nathaniel and his family ? a lot of weight on the shoulders of one boy, especially if he is autistic. Join Nathaniel as he struggles to find his place in a world that often seems too big to comprehend. Witness his triumphs through the eyes of his coach, his parents, and his outspoken, hard-playing big brother. Be careful, or this special boy may hit, run and pitch his way into your heart the way he's done so many others. Based on real events occurring throughout the Little League career of Nathaniel Donch, this story will load up the bases of your heart, mind, and soul, and send them home like a last inning, walk-off grand slam. About the Author Dave Donch is the father of the autistic boy portrayed in his book. He was born in 1966 and raised on a small farm in Albion, PA. At the age of eighteen, he had a powerful Christian conversion experience and forsook the comforts of the secular life to enter a Russian Orthodox Christian monastery in Hiram, Ohio, where he lived as an ascetic. He later left the monastery and enrolled in St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological seminary in South Canaan, PA. He also undertook degree studies at Marywood College, in music education and liberal arts. Later, his interest turned to business management. Dave now resides with his wife and four children inAuburn, NY, where he currently enjoys a low-profile career as a mechanical maintenance technician in the melt shop of the local steel mill. He loves to work as a volunteer youth baseball coach in his spare time; viewing coaching as an opportunity to help kids build good character.