Third Base (The Boys of Summer, #1)
Heidi McLaughlin
Ethan Davenport is already Boston’s most eligible bachelor, in his second season with the Boston Renegades and has eyes for the girl behind the visitors’ dugout who has been staring at him for a year.
That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston, a die-hard Renegades fan and determined to give Ethan a run for his money. He knows in order to have a chance with her, he needs to change his ways but he may just need her to wait until the off-season.
But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training. For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she’s been keeping threatens to destroy them both.
To Dad
Because of you this book is possible.
Thank you for always teaching me the importance of knowing the game, not just being a fan.
How many ballparks do we have left?
Batting Line-up
Kayden Cross – First Base
Preston Meyers – Right Field
Ethan Davenport – Third Base
Branch Singleton – Designated Hitter
Jasper Jacobson – Catcher
Bryce Mackenzie – Second Base
Travis Kidd – Left Field
Easton Bennett – Short Stop
Steve Bainbridge – Center Field
Three weeks in and the Boston Renegades are sitting at 9-5. Not too shabby considering pitching hasn’t been as predicted with the guys giving up 68 runs with only 73 batted in. If the BoRe’s intend to make the Wildcard race, they’ll need to figure it out quickly, especially with an out of town stretch that could hurt them.
GOSSIP WIRE:
It’s being rumored that centerfielder, Steve Bainbridge, will retire at the end of the season. If this is true, that could pave the way for Triple-A player, Cooper Bailey, to move up. I wouldn’t be surprised if GM, Ryan Stone, makes the move to keep the BoRe’s a younger team.
Ethan Davenport, a second-year starter, is already spouting off about how he’s going to win the American League batting title this year. Personally, I think it’s far too early to make that assessment. Last year he was a shoo-in for rookie of year until he got caught with a college co-ed who was, at the time, underage. Aside from his off-field antics, the nose picking third baseman that tweets out his home address on social media has a lot of growing up to do if he’s planning on securing any titles in the future. Who is stupid enough to tweet out his home address?
The BoRe’s return home next week for a seven game home stretch! Let’s hope they can hammer out some wins in the early part of the season.
The BoRe Blogger
“Why do you read that shit?”
Steve Bainbridge, centerfielder for my team, the Boston Renegades, throws a ball at me, causing me to drop my phone so I can catch it. I’d rather replace a cracked screen on my phone than take a ball to the face. Having a busted lip or black eye isn’t my idea of a good time. He picks it up before I can and scrolls through the blog post I had been reading. The BoRe blogger hates me and I can’t figure out why.
“Well, at least you’re not being called out for retirement three weeks into the season.” Bainbridge hands me my phone and sighs. This is my second season in the league and he’s been a mentor to me. Toward the end of last season, I had a lot going for me until I messed up one night. Bainbridge was there to help get my ass out of hot water before our general manager, Ryan Stone, could kick me off the team. The incident in question? I bought a minor some drinks who was celebrating her birthday, and she was in the bar. Apparently she had snuck in, but because I’m a major league baseball player, the district attorney thought he’d try to make an example out of me. Thankfully, the Renegades have a stellar legal team and I was able to get away with a few hours of community service.
Hard lesson learned. In fact, I’ve had to learn a few over the year - for instance, tweeting out my address isn’t the smartest thing to do. Women of all ages show up wearing next to nothing, and when your mom answers the door…let’s just say there are things even she shouldn’t see.
“Are you done at the end of the season?” We prepare our whole lives for moments like this without even realizing it. Like when your best friend moves away, or the seniors on your team graduate. It’s really no different when someone retires or gets traded. Retirement is harder to deal with because guys usually move back to their hometown or their wife’s hometown and you don’t see them as often. At least with a trade, the next time you play that team, you can hang out.
“My wife… she gave me an ultimatum. I quit, or she walks with the kids.”
“Oh.”
“Nothing for you to worry about, kid,” he says, as he walks down the stairs and through the dugout, disappearing down the hall. Just a handful of the guys have wives on the team. It’s a low statistic according the BoRe blogger, citing that our General Manager is rebuilding a young team with talent that can last a few years. I think our GM wants to win and is doing everything he can to make sure it happens. It has nothing to do with age or marital status.