Who is John Riddle?

John Riddle is a freelance writer, author, ghostwriter, editor and donut eater. As the author of 34 books (for traditional publishers), he has also worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects. His byline has appeared in major publications all across the U.S., and he has written articles for over 200 Websites.

Since 1996 he has been working out of his home office in Delaware as a full time freelance writer. For nearly 15 years he taught at Christian and secular writing conferences throughout the United States.

His two favorite quotes are:

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

“Never, never, never give up!” Winston Churchill

What You Will Discover:

More Than a Game: A Grandfather, Two Grandsons, and the Life Lessons Found on the Baseball Field

In neighborhoods across Delaware, the familiar sounds of baseball echo each spring: gloves popping, bats cracking, and teammates calling out to one another under open skies. For many families, it’s a tradition. For one local family, it became something more.

What started as a shared love of the game between a grandfather and his grandsons has turned into a heartfelt new book, More Than a Game: Life Lessons From The Baseball Field, capturing the moments, memories, and lessons that go far beyond the diamond.

For Matthew and Timothy Ceban, baseball has been a constant presence growing up, from early Little League games to the more competitive pace of travel teams. But as they moved through each season, the game began to teach them something deeper.

“This book is really about growing up through baseball,” said Matthew. “It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about learning how to be part of a team, how to stay focused, and how to handle pressure.”

Those lessons didn’t always come easily.

“You learn a lot more from the games you lose,” Timothy added. “Those are the moments where you have to decide if you’re going to keep going, work harder, and come back stronger.”

Their grandfather, local author John Riddle, saw those moments unfold firsthand, on the field, in the dugout, and in conversations after the games were over. A full-time freelance writer and founder of I Love To Write Day, Riddle has spent decades helping others find their voice. This time, he helped bring his grandsons’ voices to life.

“Watching them grow through the game has been incredibly special,” Riddle said. “Baseball has a way of teaching lessons that stick with you, about resilience, teamwork, and character. This book gave us a chance to capture those moments and share them with others.”

The result is a collection of short, engaging stories that reflect the real-life experiences of young athletes, moments of excitement, disappointment, growth, and connection. Each story offers a glimpse into how the game shapes not just players, but people.

From stepping up to the plate with nerves and determination, to learning how to support teammates during tough games, the book highlights the everyday experiences that often leave the biggest impact.

And while the stories are rooted in baseball, their message reaches far beyond the sport.

“Baseball is just the setting,” Riddle explained. “The real story is about becoming who you’re meant to be. It’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and learning from every experience, on and off the field.”

That message is one that resonates with parents and coaches as much as it does with young players. In a time when youth sports can sometimes feel focused on scores and standings, More Than a Game: Life Lessons From The Baseball Field brings the focus back to what truly matters.

“Some of the most important moments aren’t the big wins,” Matthew said. “They’re the times you learn something about yourself or your teammates.”

For Timothy, the experience of working on the book has been just as meaningful as playing the game.

“It made me realize how much baseball has taught me,” he said. “Not just about the sport, but about life.”

As families gather at ballfields this season, cheering from the stands and watching their children take the field, this book serves as a reminder that every practice, every inning, and every moment has the potential to shape something lasting.

Because in the end, as this local family has discovered, it was never just about baseball.

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