“I couldn’t get my location last night.” Chase pounded his fist in his glove. “That’s why Tommy Jones hit that triple in the fifth. I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Chase, I admire your work ethic. I know off-season you were either at the gym every night developing your upper body strength or at the mound throwing. But you need a third pitch. Right now you’ve got a hot fastball and an unhittable slider. But your curveball is inconsistent. Let’s get another solid weapon in your bag.”
“I did well enough last season.” Chase glared. “Are you trying to say I didn’t pull my weight?”
“Not at all.” The older man laid a fond hand on the pitcher’s shoulder. “You know I think you’re a fine ballplayer. But you have the potential to be one of the greats. Last season you got some attention. Do you know what that means?”
When the pitcher shook his head, Dubell continued patiently. “You’ve been videotaped. The batters are going to study you, figure you out. With only two possibilities, it won’t be that hard. All of a sudden guys who couldn’t hit anything other than a foul ball off you will start getting runs. And that can really mess with a pitcher’s head. I don’t want to see it happen to you.”
“I know.” Chase didn’t doubt the man’s intentions. “I just have to play the game my way. And I like to bring on the heat. My fastball’s getting really good now that I’ve built up my arm. And even the paper said last night that my slider is one of the best in baseball.”
Dick shrugged. “Have it your way. But don’t let the praise go to your head. You know how the media is. They need something to write and just as easily can trash you tomorrow.”
He stepped back and signaled to the catcher to throw. As he watched Chase pitch, he admired the young man’s skill and control. He was homegrown, a product of the Sonics’ own farm team, and had developed into an amazing athlete. A workhorse, he was often at practice long before the batters showed up, and had the discipline of a more experienced player. With his movie-star looks and his charm, Dubell knew the kid had a great career ahead of him. His only criticism was that Chase was a maverick. Incredibly talented, the pitcher was smarter and faster than a lot of the other guys, and he knew it. If he could only get him to understand that if he became more of a team player, he would be unstoppable.
Another ball flew by and he aimed the gun as the catcher snatched it out of the air. Chase looked at the coach expectantly.
“Ninety-eight,” Dick confirmed with a grin even as the catcher shook out his hand, still stinging from the contact.
Chase grinned back. “Let’s see the Yankees hit that one.”
Love stories you’ll never forget
By authors you’ll always remember
eOriginal Romance from Random House
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