Pinch Hitter by Dean Whitney, ISBN:978-1-60145-502-4, Paperback, 308 pages, published by Booklocker,com, Inc, $16.95
This book is, first and foremost, a book that makes you feel good. It is the story of a 45-year-old former high school baseball player who gets the unlikely opportunity to play for a big league team as a pinch hitter.
The protagonist, David Robbins, and his brother, had been outstanding high school players with the brother slated for the big leagues before a disastrous occurrence caused David to leave competitive baseball and eventually become successful in merchandising. He never has lost his love for the game and has continued through the years with keeping himself in good physical condition and spending hours in batting practice. He is asked to fill in for a missing player in a pick-up league game and is seen by a big league manager who is desperate for a hitter. David is a natural, fits in, does an outstanding job and is rewarded even beyond the normal compensation for his prowess - a reward that plays into the past and his original exit from the sport.
Whitney obviously is an aficionado of baseball and describes the action well. He maintains the heroics within reasonable limits and the statistics accurate. The book moves very well and primarily is one that will appeal to lovers of the game. However, even though non baseball lovers may find themselves skimming some of the more specific game descriptions, a glossary of baseball terms is included, and they may still find it an enjoyable read because, in spite of all the doom and gloom in today’s world,, it is a story that provides one with a feeling that nice things really could happen.
