There was a thread that wove its way through Erv Ballas life. It gave him determination to overcome all obstacles: poverty, injustice. It provided him with a dream to succeed, and one day, enabled him to pitch to the mighty Babe Ruth. Yet, too soon, his pitching arm failed him and his dream struck out. A new game appeared in the person of Lily, who became his lifeas partner. Together, they struggled through the Great Depression: the starvation, bread lines, hopelessness. Their love became the impetus that created their family, and Ervas realization that the needs of others were paramount goals to be achieved: goals to make tomorrows better for all people. He put his efforts into the formation of the C.I.O., providing equality for the working class. Yes, there was always a threadawith strikes and outs, but just as surely, home runsalike a baseball game. IT WAS LIFE