"May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields." Irish blessing

[mikedraper]

Henry Skrimshander comes to Westish College as a baseball recruit. He plays shortstop, the most difficult position. His hero is Aparacio Rodriguez and he carries Aparacio's "The Art of Fielding" as if it was his Bible.

 

Henry was recruited by Mike Schwartz, the captain of the team. Mike is a catcher and mentor's Henry when he arrives at the college.

 

Henry thinks good things will come his way and plays shortstop so well that he ties a record for errorless games. It is only when pro scouts begin to come to his games that he becomes self conscious and his game is effected.

 

Guert Affenlight is the president of the school, a longtime bachelor, Guert falls in love with Henry's gay roommate, Owen. This changes his life.

 

Guert's daughter had been in a marriage that wasn't working, now she returns to Westish College for another chance at life.

 

The pacing picks up as the season draws to a close and there is a chance for a championship, something the school has never had.

 

I enjoyed the book and recommend it for the study of people, the lessons of life and the fine literary style of the writing.