Better Than Perfect Read online

  They gathered the equipment and set up their station before the other kids got there. Today they were going to work some more on throwing and catching. Basic stuff, but really important. Nothing worse than making a perfect throw only to have your teammate drop the ball.

  They wouldn’t get to pitching until Thursday. By that time they would know which kids had a strong enough arm to be good pitchers. They’d still give everyone a chance to try. Because that’s the kind of camp this was. It wasn’t like some coaches who’d decided before the first practice who would be their pitchers and who would be stuck in right field. Zach didn’t mind playing right field. He liked making catches at the fence or getting a ball on one hop and throwing the runner out at the plate.

  But he really wanted to be a pitcher. He wanted to be like Johnny Scottsdale. To control the game. To get strikeouts or weak ground balls. He liked snagging come-backers to the mound without even thinking about it. He liked hearing the umpire yell “Strike!” He liked the tension of the battle between batter and pitcher.

  But he wasn’t sure if he was good enough anymore. As his opponents got bigger and stronger and knew more about how to hit, he needed more than being able to get the ball over the plate.

  Johnny could help. Maybe. He could teach him how to be a better pitcher. Help him be the kind of player that people other than his mom and grandparents would want to watch.

  The camp was fun, and it went by quick enough. Johnny was great with the kids, no surprise there. Zach couldn’t wait to get his glove and learn as much as he possibly could from Johnny while he was here.

  “Hey Johnny, you still want to warm up with me?” No, that didn’t sound lame or too eager.

  “Sure. Let me get my glove.” Johnny smiled like he wasn’t annoyed at all to have some kid bugging him after a long day. “Is your mom going to join us?”

  “No.” His mom was still acting weird. Maybe she was nervous about the camp going well. She’d told him one time that putting on the camp was kind of like playing in a big game for her. “She has some stuff to do, paperwork or something.”

  “Well, let’s get to it, then.” Johnny patted him on the shoulder and led him down to the practice mound.

  They started with a slow warm-up, tossing the ball back and forth. Like a kid playing catch with his dad. Stupid for even thinking something like that could happen. His mom was kind of avoiding Johnny. It’s not like she’d start dating him all of a sudden. It was starting to look like she’d never date anyone. Ever. For all he knew, she’d follow him when he went off to college. Wouldn’t that be lame?

  “Okay, let me get some catcher’s gear on,” Johnny said once they were warm. “You throw too hard for me to try to catch you unprotected.”

  “Really?” Zach didn’t think Johnny was the kind of guy to say stuff just to make him feel good. But he didn’t really know him. Just the image of him he had from watching him his whole life. But so far, the real guy was even better. He was cool. Not like a famous person, but just a regular guy. He didn’t show off or act like he was too good for anyone.

  “Yeah, you’ve got good stuff. A natural.”

  “You’re just saying that.” Zach felt his face get kind of warm.

  “No. You’re good. Maybe you could be really good.” Johnny sounded like he meant it. “Are you planning on playing in high school?”

  “I hope so.” But in high school, not everyone made the team. And he didn’t know if he was going to get much bigger. His dad hadn’t been very tall. In some pictures, it looked like he and his mom were almost the same height.

  Johnny was, like, six-five. Zach wished he could be at least six feet tall. But since no one in his family was that tall, he figured he didn’t have much of a shot.

  “I don’t know if I can throw hard enough.” Zach knew a kid who threw really hard. He threw a no-hitter twice in Little League. “I’m moving up to a bigger field. The same size the pros use.”

  “You’ll get used to it real quick,” Johnny assured him. “Trust me, you’ll be ready.”

  “Thanks.” Zach still couldn’t believe he was playing catch with the Johnny Scottsdale. “I know you’re only working with me because you knew my dad, but thanks.”

  “Your dad was one of my best friends ever.” Johnny turned and looked right at him. “Your mom, too. But that’s not the only reason I’m helping you.” He smiled then. A real and encouraging smile. “You have something here.” Johnny grabbed his right arm. His pitching arm. “You remind me a little of myself.”

  Wow. He couldn’t think of a bigger compliment.

  “I guess I try to copy you.” Zach was a little embarrassed by the comparison. “I mean, we DVR every one of your starts.”

  “Really?” Johnny seemed surprised.

  “Yeah. My mom’s always been kind of crazy about you.”

  Now Johnny looked like he was embarrassed. He looked down at his feet.

  “Well, it seems like you’ve picked up some good habits.” Johnny grabbed a ball. “Let’s fine tune your mechanics and if you keep working at it, I think you’ll be great.”

  “Cool.”

  Johnny put on the mask and crouched behind the plate.

  Zach tried to remember everything Johnny told him. But he was all jittery. Johnny Scottsdale thought he was good. Thought he could be great, even.

  Johnny stood up.

  “Sorry. I’m taking too long.” Zach tried to refocus. But Johnny walked toward him and put his hands on his shoulders.

  “You’re in control. You decide when to make the throw. I’m just here to catch it.”

  “I know, I’m just…”

  “Focus. Breathe. Let it go.” Johnny closed his eyes, like he did when he pitched. “That’s what I tell myself when I’m on the mound. Sort of my mantra.”

  “Focus. Breathe. Let it go.” Zach had always wondered what Johnny’s secret was. Now he knew.

  Johnny returned to his spot behind the plate. He got ready and Zach felt like he was ready now, too.

  Focus.

  Zach looked in at his target. Didn’t even think about who was holding the glove.

  Breathe.

  He took a deep breath. Held it.

  Then he let it go.

  He fired the pitch and hit the target. It made a loud pop in Johnny’s glove.

  “Great. Just like that.” Johnny tossed the ball back to him and got ready for the next pitch.

  Zach repeated the whole routine. Again. And again. Each throw better than the last. Louder. Stronger. Maybe even faster.

  They were getting into a good rhythm when Zach’s mom came up to them.

  Johnny stood, tucking the catcher’s mask and glove under his left arm. He and Mom stared at each other, like they were surprised to see the other one here. Johnny didn’t even seem to notice that a reporter was there, too. The friendly one who did all the dugout interviews.

  “Johnny. This is Rachel Parker.” His mom finally shook out of her trance. “With Bay Area Sports Network. She’s here to do a feature on you.”

  “Sure.” Johnny put on his interview smile. The one that was a little fake, but not too phony. “Zach’s got a few more pitches to throw. Maybe Alice could catch him.”

  He turned back to his mom and smiled for real.

  “He looked like he was throwing pretty hard.” She didn’t like catching him lately; she flinched too easily.

  “You used to catch me.” Johnny’s voice sounded different. Like he was sharing some secret between the two of them. “And I was pretty wild back then. Zach has good control. You’ll be fine.”

  “He is pretty good, isn’t he?” She tore her eyes away from Johnny and smiled at Zach, totally embarrassing him.

  “Yes. He is. If you can finish up here, I’ll be ready for that interview.” He looked at Rachel Parker, who was just standing there, probably taking mental notes. Zach really hoped she didn’t say anything about him in the interview.

  “My cameraman is set up in the press room.” Rachel flas
hed her reporter smile at Johnny. “Maybe you could throw on a jersey and we’ll get started.”

  “Sure. Give me ten minutes?”

  “Sounds perfect.” She glanced briefly at Zach and then his mom before turning and walking toward the press room.

  “I gotta go.” Johnny patted Zach on the back. “But your mom will finish you up. Say about ten, fifteen more throws.”

  “Okay. And I’ll put everything away when we’re done.”

  “I can take care of it,” Johnny offered.

  “No. I don’t mind.” Zach was used to helping out, putting stuff away. He didn’t always remember at home, but his mom had him pretty well trained. Most of the time.

  Johnny nodded at him and walked off for his interview.

  6

  “This is Rachel Parker, with Bay Area Sports Net.” The auburn haired reporter sat across from Johnny in the press room. She’d set up a couple of chairs to make it look like they were two friends, having a chat. “Today our guest is Johnny ‘The Monk’ Scottsdale, a right-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Goliaths.”

  “Thank you, Rachel. I’m happy to be here.” He hoped he sounded sincere. He really would rather be working with Zach, though. He didn’t have a lot of time to get the kid ready for the season. He was close, but there were a few little things he could do to tweak his delivery.

  “You’ve had quite a career so far. Two Cy Young Awards, numerous All-Star appearances and one perfect game.” The reporter let him know she’d done her homework. “What brings you here to San Francisco?”

  “I think you probably know the answer to that.” Johnny gave his aw-shucks grin. “I’m looking for the same thing all athletes want. A chance to play in the biggest game of our lives. To leave a lasting mark on our sport. To earn a ring. I think I’ll be a good fit with this team, this group of players. I hope that together we can bring home a championship.”

  “The Goliaths have one of the strongest rotations in the league. It’s almost not fair to add a starter with your credentials.” She leaned forward. “Some fans would say the team would be better off going after a big bat.”

  Johnny took a deep breath. He’d heard that argument enough times, he should have a clever answer by now.

  “But we’ve all seen how dominant pitching can be more than enough to quiet even the loudest bats.” She smiled at him almost flirtatiously.

  “I do believe that winning at any level requires teamwork. No one man can make or break a season,” Johnny said. “When I’m not as sharp as I need to be, I have guys behind me who will pick me up. When I threw my perfect game, my defense was spectacular. They made plays that weren’t human. It was like we fed off each other.”

  “I’ve seen the replays of that catch in centerfield.” She nodded in agreement. “It was like Andrews sprouted wings.”

  “He didn’t want to let me down.” Johnny would miss his old teammates. But most of them were gone, too. After making it to the American League Championship two years ago, they didn’t make the playoffs last year. The team wanted to move in a new direction. They let go or traded most of their stars. He wouldn’t be surprised if the team itself wasn’t up for sale in the next year or two.

  “She glanced down at her notes. “According to my sources, you turned down a long-term contract offer from Chicago.”

  “Who wouldn’t want to come to San Francisco?” He smiled for the camera. “The Goliaths organization is one of the finest in all of baseball. The ballpark is beautiful. The fans are amazing. And there’s a lot of talent on this team.”

  “You’ll only add to that talent. And at a bargain price.” She leaned forward, making Johnny a tad uncomfortable. “I’m sure we’ll all be very pleased with the acquisition.”

  “Thank you.” Johnny found that a simple response to praise was the easiest. He didn’t want to talk about his contract. His agent wasn’t very happy with him for accepting a lower offer, a one-year deal, but Johnny had his reasons for coming here. Getting a ring was only one of them.

  “You’re already making your presence known here in San Francisco.” She tapped her pen against her thigh. “You’re participating in the Mel Harrison Jr. Foundation’s annual minicamp for youth players.”

  “Yes. Actually, Mel Harrison was a friend of mine in college. I think it’s a…” Johnny swallowed, the sting of losing his friend causing an unexpected lump in his throat. “It’s a nice way to honor his memory.”

  “I wasn’t aware of the connection.” Rachel sounded flustered for an instant. Like a straight-A student getting an answer wrong for the first time. “But I’m sure he’d be proud of the work you’re doing to help young ballplayers.”

  “Yes. Kids are the future. Without them, there would be no reason to play.” Did that sound corny or what?

  She laughed, a throaty, seductive laugh that made him feel more than a little uncomfortable. He wondered if she would ask him about his work with Zach. He hoped not. He wasn’t sure if he could explain why it was so important for him to take the boy under his wing. Why he felt like he owed it to Mel to help his son.

  “The Harrison Foundation has made a difference in the lives of so many kids in our area.” She dialed down the charm enough to make Johnny relax. “They must have been pleased to have you step in at the last minute when Nathan Cooper was suspended.”

  “I’m more than happy to help. I’ve met some terrific kids this week.” Johnny wanted to deflect the conversation away from steroids. The focus should be on the kids. On the game. “Real hard-workers. Eager to learn. Ready to play.”

  “And they’re lucky to have such a stellar role model.” She got a certain glint in her eye. The conversation was about to get personal. “They call you ‘The Monk.’ Can you share the origins of that nickname?”

  “I think it has something to do with the way I’m able to shut down all outside distractions.” Johnny breathed in, trying to bring that sense of calm to this interview, without going through his whole routine. “I keep my focus on the next pitch. I don’t think about the last one that didn’t fall right where I wanted it. I don’t think about the last time I faced this batter and whether or not he took me deep. And I don’t think about anything other than my game.”

  “I have heard that theory.” She tilted her head just enough to signal she had something else in mind. “But something tells me it’s only part of the story.”

  “Oh really?” Did she honestly have nothing better to talk about?

  “Your reputation around the league is somewhat unique.” She smiled in a way that made him think she was almost embarrassed to take the questions in this direction. Almost. “Or is your celibacy exaggerated?”

  “I prefer to keep my personal life private.”

  “Is it because of a religious conviction?” Genuine curiosity in her tone was the only thing that made him willing to continue this conversation. That and the fact he was on camera.

  “For some, baseball is like a religion. But no, it’s not because of any particular religious beliefs.” Johnny wondered if Alice would catch the broadcast. Now that he knew she’d been watching his entire career, he thought it was likely. “It’s more of a personal choice. If I’m not in a serious relationship, I choose to remain celibate. End of story.”

  “You do have a lot of self-control.” Her gaze dropped to take in the whole package. “You’re a young, healthy, vibrant man.”

  “Sure, and when I need a physical release, I go for a run, lift weights or play catch.”

  “Well, that seems to be working. As your stats show.”

  “Yes, I’ve been fortunate that I’m able to put all my energy into my game.” At least that’s what he’d been telling himself.

  “Don’t you ever get lonely?” Was her curiosity professional or personal?

  “Sure. But spending the night with a stranger doesn’t cure that.” He’d tried that. Once. He couldn’t get his mind off knowing Ali was spending her wedding night with someone else. With Mel.

  “So,
Johnny Scottsdale, you’re a romantic.” Her voice took on a wistful tone.

  “No. Just practical.” He shrugged, hoping what he said next wouldn’t paint him as some kind of jerk. “I know that there’s an element of fantasy some women have about being with an athlete. Any athlete. Some guys are okay with that. I’m not.”

  Great, now he sounded like he thought he was too good for any woman. “Besides, I’m afraid of lawyers.”

  He punctuated that last remark with a sappy smile.

  She laughed and then turned to the camera, wrapping up their interview. As soon as the camera stopped rolling, she turned back to Johnny.

  “My boyfriend is a lawyer.” She unclipped her microphone, but kept talking.

  “Then I’m sure he’d appreciate guys like me who understand that your friendliness and professional interest don’t mean anything more.” Johnny wished since the interview was officially over, he’d be free to leave.

  “He would.” She gave him a smoldering look. “If my ex-boyfriend was the jealous type. Or the faithful type.”

  Johnny shook his head and laughed. An awkward, uncomfortable laugh.

  “Oh, come on, you’re a very attractive man, Johnny Scottsdale.” She leaned forward enough to provide a glimpse of her lace bra. It was turquoise. Not that he wanted to know.

  “I’m sure you say that to all the celibate Cy Young Award winning ballplayers you interview.” Oh, hell that sounded an awful lot like flirting.

  “I do.” She laughed, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. “I interview dozens of good-looking ballplayers. Most of them think they’re the greatest thing since free agency. You’re different. You’ve got that untouchable thing going.”

  “I’m sort of seeing someone.” He felt heat creep up the back of his neck. He had no idea where that statement had come from. Wishful thinking?

  “Oh, you don’t have to let me down that easy.” There was more than a hint of disappointment in her voice.

  The heat spread across his cheeks, like razor burn. Even worse, his mind strayed to thoughts of Alice. Did he really want to start things up with her again? His body was ready. Like a rookie just called up late in the season. Put me in, coach. But his heart had doubts. She’d taken him deep last time. Real deep.