The only books sold in town are textbooks at the community college and book orders through the elementary school—it’s one of the 4,724 reasons I need to leave Athens.

We stand as the teams are announced. When Hamilton’s name is called, he hops from the dugout onto the field. The crowd roars a welcome for their new pitcher. He turns to wave at his new fans, a wide smile upon his face. He’s the luckiest man alive—he gets paid to play the game he loves. He winks our way before ...