The only reason I would stay away from a period piece is because sometimes the women are painted in a very stereotypical weakling wallflower way - that's something I don't want to do. I want to show strength in the women I play and a journey of some sort.
I refuse to be molded into some stereotypical ballplayer that has no interests really no life no depth no intelligence.
As a young boy I read 'Cheaper by the Dozen' and immediately became neurotic about my use of time. It taxed me severely but only for the next 50 years. But I think it also allowed me to discipline myself to sit in the chair and be a writer where one of the most needed qualities is patience.