Mrs. Morhard and the Boys : One Mother's Vision. The First Boys' Baseball League. A Nation Inspired.

**__As the Great Depression brought America to the brink of disaster, a devoted single mother in Cleveland, Ohio, wrestled triumph out of adversity by creating a community activity that would inspire the nation.__**Josephine Morhard never waited for something to happen. At twelve years old, fiercely independent Josephine left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. Coming of age during one of the most devastating times in America, and weathering two bad marriages, Josephine put her personal problems aside to insure a productive future for her daughter and son. But Junior was a volatile boy of eight--until his mother came upon a novel sports idea to encourage discipline, guidance, and self-worth in her son. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys' baseball league in America. Her city--and the country--was watching.Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Indians legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys' skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz became an umpire; and they were given permission to play in historic League Park. All the while, as Josephine's Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she instilled in her boys strong values, good sportsmanship, and an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, would become Minor League players. Not one of Mrs. Morhard's boys would ever forget her.In this stirring biography of an unsung American heroine, Josephine Morhard's daughter-in-law recounts the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a resilient, selfless, and determined woman. Her inspiring true story--a long time coming--is something to cheer for. "As the Great Depression brought America to the brink of disaster, a devoted single mother in Cleveland, Ohio, wrestled triumph out of adversity by creating a community activity that would inspire the nation. Josephine Morhard never waited for something to happen. At twelve years old, fiercely independent Josephine left her family?s Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. Coming of age during one of the most devastating times in America, and weathering two bad marriages, Josephine put her personal problems aside to insure a productive future for her daughter and son. But Junior was a volatile boy of eight?until his mother came upon a novel sports idea to encourage discipline, guidance, and self-worth in her son. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys? baseball league in America. Her city?and the country?was watching. Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Indians legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys? skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz became an umpire; and they were given permission to play in historic League Park. All the while, as Josephine?s Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she instilled in her boys strong values, good sportsmanship, and an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, would become Minor League players. Not one of Mrs. Morhard?s boys would ever forget her. In this stirring biography of an unsung American heroine, Josephine Morhard?s daughter-in-law recounts the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a resilient, selfless, and determined woman. Her inspiring true story?a long time coming?is something to cheer for."--Publisher's description With the nation in the grip of the Great Depression, a single mother in Cleveland, Ohio, creates a lasting monument to youth and community as American as apple pie. At twelve years old, fiercely independent Josephine Morhard left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. After surviving two bad marriages, Josephine decides to focus on a better future for her daughter and son. But Junior is a volatile boy of eight#8212;until his mother comes up with a novel plan to build discipline and self-worth in her son. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine establishes the first boys' baseball league in America. Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rally behind her project. Future baseball legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly help hone the boys' skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz pitches in as an umpire; and they're given free pass to play in historic League Park. As Josephine's Little Indians graduate into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she instills in her boys strong values, good sportsmanship, and an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, will even make it to the Minor Leagues. Not one of Mrs. Morhard's boys would ever forget her. "A treat to read." #8212; Akron Beacon Journal "Beautifully tells the true story of how one mother kept her son out of trouble . . . and started the first boy's baseball league." #8212;Delilah, Syndicated Radio Host The loving biography of a dedicated mother in Cleveland, Ohio, who started America's first boys' baseball league during the Great Depression. At twelve years old, Josephine Morhard left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. After settling in Cleveland, she survived two bad marriages and became a single mother to two young children. When her spirited son started getting into trouble, she came up with a novel plan to give him the structure and sense of purpose he needed. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys' baseball league in America. Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project. Future baseball legends Bob Feller, Jeff Heath, and Roy Weatherly helped hone the boys' skills; renowned sports reporter Hal Lebovitz pitched in as an umpire; and they were even allowed to play in historic League Park. As Josephine's Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, she helped them develop strong values and a sense of accomplishment. Some of them, like Ray Lindquist and Jack Heinen, even made it to the Minor Leagues. Mrs. Morhard and the Boys tells the unforgettable story of her dedication and lasting legacy. As the Great Depression brought America to the brink of disaster, a devoted single mother in Cleveland, Ohio, wrestled triumph out of adversity by creating a community activity that would inspire the American Little League. Josephine Morhard never waited for something to happen. At twelve years old, fiercely independent Josephine left her family's Pennsylvania farm to start a new life. Coming of age during one of the most devastating times in America, and weathering two bad marriages, Josephine put her personal problems aside to insure a productive future for her daughter and son. But Junior was a volatile boy of eight—until his mother came upon a novel sports idea to encourage discipline, guidance, and self-worth in her son. Out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids, Josephine established the first boys' baseball league in America. Her city—and the country—was watching. Beyond all... After surviving two bad marriages, Josephine Morhard decided to focus on a better future for her daughter and son. She needed a way to build discipline and self-worth in her son, and out of a dream, an empty lot, and the enthusiasm of other neighborhood kids she established the first boys' baseball league in America. Beyond all expectations, the Cleveland Indians rallied behind her project; future baseball legends help hone the boys' skills. As the Little Indians graduated into the Junior American and Junior National Leagues, and finally a Little World Series, Morhard instilled in her boys strong values, good sportsmanship, and an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. -- adapted from jacket