From pen to screen

Three years after publishing his novel, local author and Oceanside High School English and creative writing teacher Frank Nappi will see his story of autistic baseball player Mickey Tussler hit the television screen.

“The Legend of Mickey Tussler” is set in the 1940s and based around a young baseball prospect who has Asperger’s Syndrome.

“You always have an essential idea thematically of what you’re trying to do,” Nappi said. “In this case, it’s sort of a coming of age story, and an indictment of people’s intolerance of those who are different from us.”

Soon after the book was released in 2008, Nappi was contacted by Jason Koornick, a producer for Eye in the Sky Entertainment in Los Angeles. Since that time, Koornick, along with Joe Nasser of Nasser Entertainment, have been working on producing the film version of Mickey Tussler’s story. At times throughout the process, Nappi was unsure that the film would make it to the television screen. “It went through so many different stages,” Nappi said. “It was on, it was off, and it was on again.”

Nappi noted that although his original story had been changed in certain ways, he is still pleased with the outcome of the film, which is set to air on Sept. 25 on GMC TV. “The essential idea is still true to the story: of tolerance, of differences, of acceptance and the struggle that people have to go through,” Nappi said. “It’s disappointing it’s not exactly the same with the book, but I’m happy if it brings more attention to the story and autism awareness.”

As a long time Mets fan, Nappi attributed the idea for the novel to his passion for baseball. He added that his own son had played baseball with a boy who had a brother who had Asperger’s Syndrome. “That kid loved baseball, knew all the stats, and I began thinking that it would be really amazing if there was a kid who could be discovered by baseball people, with the only wrinkle being [Asperger’s],” Nappi said.

While researching for the novel, Nappi made a point to spend time with the Life Skills class at OHS, taught by Penny Ellis, the winner of the 2011 Regis and Kelly Top Teacher award. “Being close to these individuals at the school made it easier to unlock the mystery that lies in their experience,” Nappi said.