The Innocent Man

Chapter Two introduces us to Ron (aka Ronnie) Williamson. The youngest of Roy and Juanita Williamson’s three children, Ron is born into a loving home. Since both of his parents work, his oldest sister, Annette, frequently cares for Ron, while middle child Renee is a frequent playmate. The family attends a Pentecostal church, and Ron accepts Jesus Christ and receives baptism at the age of six.

Though his parents are not particularly interested in sports, Ron discovers baseball as a child and is soon obsessed. He has a natural aptitude and spends all his spare time playing in pickup games, practicing at home, and memorizing stats. Though money is tight, Ron begs his parents for a glove and bat, which they buy for him. Soon, he is scouted by one of Ada’s Little League coaches, and he quickly becomes a young star. As he grows older, he continues playing baseball (as well as other sports) throughout junior high and high school, while also maintaining A’s and B’s in his classes. He is popular and charming, but has a self-centered streak which leads him to pester his parents for ever-nicer clothes and other luxuries. His parents often give in to his demands, even if it meant that they go without some comforts themselves.