An underprivileged youth from inner-city Philadelphia breaks through class barriers to play for the elite Philadelphia cricket team, only to face the ultimate test: proving he has the skill and heart to challenge England’s dominance—and silence those who doubt him.

SYNOPSIS:

Eleanor Perry famously declared, "Character IS plot. Character IS story." This sentiment perfectly encapsulates Bart King in Eleven Year Grit, a narrative inspired by true events and adapted from my book, The King of Swing: A Biography of John Barton King. Set between 1890 and 1908, the story blends the spirit of Chariots of Fire with the elegance of The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey.

In the opening scene, a young Bart and his friends are enjoying a casual cricket match in their working-class Philadelphia neighborhood. Initially a baseball enthusiast, Bart accepts a friendly challenge to try cricket. His natural talent and quick mastery of the game soon propel him to prominence, and by 18, he's selected for his first international match against Canada. In 1892, he plays against the visiting Irish team and begins his association with the Gentleman of Philadelphia (GOP) cricket club.

In 1897, Bart embarks on his first tour of England, where he bowls out Indian prince Ranjitsinhji on his very first delivery in a match against Surrey—an unprecedented feat that sparks a lifelong friendship between the two, despite their vastly different backgrounds. Bart's innovation—introducing the art of swing bowling to cricket, a technique inspired by his baseball experience—captures the imagination of English cricket, earning him a growing reputation and even marriage proposals.

Bart's determination, however, was his defining trait. When cricket legend W.G. Grace publicly claimed that English bowlers were superior to all others, Bart boldly challenged him, vowing to become England’s top bowler on his next tour—a statement met with skepticism. But Bart was resolute.

Back in the U.S., Bart devoted himself to perfecting his swing bowling technique, becoming the top bowler on the local scene. Meanwhile, he helped run his father’s retail business, selling linen to upscale tailor shops in downtown Philadelphia. But the tension between father and son grew, as Bart’s cricket dreams were seen as an impractical distraction from the family business.

In 1903, Bart returned to England, eager to prove himself to Dr. Grace. Despite a season marred by injuries and rain-soaked matches that left him fifth in the bowling averages, Bart’s determination never wavered. At 30, with the future of his career uncertain and mounting pressure from his father to abandon cricket, Bart remained focused on his goal.

Bart’s resilience and wit, along with his preference for mingling with everyday locals rather than the English aristocracy, made him a beloved figure. But it was in 1908, on his final tour of England at 34, that he achieved the ultimate validation. Despite unfavorable weather and skepticism surrounding his abilities, he became England’s top bowler, with an astonishing average of 11.01 across just ten matches. This achievement, the culmination of eleven years of perseverance, remains a remarkable feat—surpassed only once in over a century.

Frank, his teammate and sometime rival, later remarked, "Bart, if you'd focused on politics as much as you did cricket, you could've been President of the United States!” This statement encapsulates Bart’s extraordinary character—one defined by grit, humor, and an unwavering sense of self.

Sadly, as an American, Bart’s legacy in cricket has been largely forgotten, buried in scorebooks and local history. Yet, his contribution to the sport is immense, and he remains one of the game's greatest unsung heroes. Bart King, the "King of Swing," passed away in 1965, a month after his wife, just two days shy of his 92nd birthday. His story, and the grit that defined it, deserve to be remembered by the cricketing world.