One Pitch at a Time: A Novella

In the mythical town of Gold Ridge, California, Brett Corcoran pursues his dream of a career in professional baseball. After a disastrous fall training season, he is cut from the local Community College team. Brett's father, Don, discovers his old high school coach, Webb Johnson, is back in town, down and out, living in a flophouse. Don persuades Webb to work with his son to resurrect Brett's dream. There is one provision: Webb must stay free from alcohol, ignoring the fact Don himself is well on the way to alcoholism. Webb begins to bring himself and Brett back from rock bottom, teaching old school lessons and building confidence. Brett's quest is helped along by Ramona, a passionate young nursing student, the love of his life. All the while, Don is heading in the opposite direction, toward the abyss. Into this battle against personal demons comes the novel coronavirus, followed by the murder of George Floyd. C.W. Spooner's third novel, explores the question: Can dreams survive in a time of pandemic and social chaos?