I read quite a number of books every year. Usually the total ends up between 30 and 60.

A vast majority of the books I read fall in the non-fiction side of things, with a slant toward the self-help/business/inspiration categories. I love a good novel too, but only fall to the fiction side of things a couple of times a year.

One specific book I was waiting for with high anticipation hit most of my sweet spots in life. It teased me with pre-publishing hints about Baseball, Dreams, Passion, and Freedom for those shackled in modern-day slavery. It did not disappoint.

My friend Ethan Bryan is a master storyteller with a passion for baseball and a dream to rid the world of slavery. He’s also a great writer.

“Catch and Release: Faith, Freedom, and Knuckleballs” is Ethan’s most recent release.

In it he tracks through the 2013 Major League Baseball season of his beloved Kansas City Royals, how it coincides with his goal of becoming “The World’s Best Catch Player”, and his desire to raise funds to eliminate modern-day slavery in conjunction with the organization “Not For Sale.”

Why would Baseball and the fight against slavery be in the same book? Good question. This quote from Nelson Mandela, included at the beginning of the book, sums it up pretty well.

“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela

Ethan is using his skills as storyteller and writer to further breakdown the barriers to modern-day slavery.

Ethan is trying to engage leaders, organizations, regular people, and Major League Baseball players in a conversation we should all be involved in. Many people around the world, but specifically in typical Western Civilization, have no idea of the rampant disease that is modern-day slavery.

Some of us, me included, hear little blurbs about slavery in the news and at specific times of the year, like during the Super Bowl. But, it is not something forefront in our minds on a daily basis.

Ethan’s writing is part of his plan of action to change this for us. He is doing a stellar job.

For me, this quote from chapter 8 sums up what Ethan is trying to do:

“Changing the world happens as we live out the passions and dreams God has whispered into our hearts. When we have the courage and audacity to simply and unapologetically be the amazing people that God whispered into being, the world will change.” – Ethan Bryan

To learn more about the ongoing fight against modern-day slavery, check out
Not For Sale Campaign

To purchase Ethan’s book, go here:
Hearts and Minds Books – Catch and Release: Faith, Freedom, and Knuckleballs

Connect with Ethan.
Twitter: Ethan Bryan
Facebook: Ethan Bryan