Meet Dean Whitney Author of Pinch Hitter

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Dean Whitney author of Pinch Hitter.

Good day Dean and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers why you have been very interested in baseball since you were a kid?

Dean:


Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in this interview!  To answer your question, I remember watching the Saturday Games of the Week with my family when I was six or seven. I didnt really understand that much about the game, but I knew I liked it. Then, at the age of nine, I fell head over heels in love with the sport during the 1955 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees.


At that time we were living in Sacramento, California. Our next door neighbors were originally from Brooklyn and huge Dodger fans. It was their exhilaration over the Dodger victory that prompted me to become a Dodger fan and learn everything I could about the game. Like all baseball fans, I certainly enjoyed the action. In my mind, theres nothing more exciting than hearing the crack of the bat and watching a ball sail over the fence for a home run. However, I strongly believe that what initially attracted me to the game was the strategy involved. To many kids back then, baseball was simply hit the ball and run and catch the ball and throw it. In my case, I became a student of the game. The more I learned, the more I realized how complex the sport of baseball actually was.

I should point out that my wife and I switched allegiances from the Dodgers to the San Diego Padres in 1996 when we decided to make San Diego our permanent home.

Norm:

What was the timeline between the time you decided to write your book and publication? What were the major events along the way? 




Dean:

Although I had carried around the idea for Pinch Hitter for a few months, I didnt decide to write the story until around the beginning of October, 2007. It was published toward the end of June, 2008. The only major event I can think of is the disappointing end to the San Diego Padres 2007 season.


Forced into a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies, the Pads lost the extra-inning game on a controversial call. At that point I attempted to put it out of my mind by burying myself in the book and all the research required for a first-time novelist. However, truth be told, Im still a little miffed about the 2007 season.

Norm:

Could you briefly tell our readers something about Pinch Hitter and what motivated you to write the book?


Dean:

Pinch Hitter is an up-lifting story that can be enjoyed by both fans and non-fans of baseball. Yes, it certainly contains plenty of baseball action. However, its primarily about love, family, and redemption. While my initial intention was to concoct a story that would captivate middle-aged men who still dreamed of playing in the big leagues, the main character (David Robbins) is a man who women find very appealing.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your book?

Dean:


The basic idea for Pinch Hitter was concocted in my head.  And, because of my baseball knowledge, very little research was required.

Norm:

What do you want your book to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking?


Dean:


Ive had many people (including men) tell me that Pinch Hitter made them laugh and cry. Im humbled by the notion that my written words can actually invoke such emotions in other human beings. And I would hope that anyone who is seeking redemption with a family member or a friend would be encouraged by the plight of David Robbins.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your book?  Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Dean:


The most difficult thing was writing, re-writing, and re-writing again the emotional parts of the story. Believe me, I went through a lot Kleenex. What did I learn? Well, I learned that writing a book is hard work. I have the utmost respect and admiration for all writers who endure the process.

Norm:

How much real-life did you put into Pinch Hitter? Is there much you in there?


Dean:

Not really. But there are characters in the book who are based on actual people. For instance, I write about a group of men known as the Godfathers who hang out at a sports bar called Fijis. Those guys really exist at a sports bar in San Diego called Seaus The Restaurant. And there are the two Greek brothers who own a popular breakfast place. They also exist. Last but not least, Davids fourteen-year old son, Michael, is based on my real-life nephew. All of the names, however, were changed to protect their identities.

Norm:

When writing your book, did you ever have it in the back of your mind that you could turn it into a movie or television project?


Dean:

From the very beginning. In fact, with the help of a professional screenwriter, I recently completed a screenplay for Pinch Hitter and will soon start pitching it to agents.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?


Dean:


Initially I intended to query publishers. After researching the business, however, I learned that it could take a long timepossibly yearsto get it published. And then there was the issue of creative control. Being that I wanted it published during the 2008 baseball season, I opted for self-publishing. I may approach it differently with my next novel, which is a murder mystery.

Norm:

What do you think makes a good story?

Dean:


To me, a good story either provokes thought or moves you emotionallyor both. I also like a story that stays on point and paints a visual image.

Norm:

What do you think about professional baseball today? Do you think baseball players are overpaid? Do you feel that todays players are better than yesteryear?


Dean:

I dont think you have enough space for my complete answers to those questions. So, Ill give you the short answers.


Economically, I believe that major league baseball is headed down a dark path. Ticket and concession prices, even for the smaller market teams, are making it increasingly difficult for the average family to attend more than a handful of games each year. And the primary reason for that is the exorbitant contracts being handed out to even mediocre players. You cant really blame the players. Why shouldnt they take the money if the owners are willing to give it to them? Until the owners figure out how to stop the bleeding, it will only get worse. It should be noted that the teams with the highest payrolls arent necessarily the best teams, nor are they the teams that end up winning the World Series.

While todays players may be bigger and stronger than players of yesteryear, I dont believe theyre better overall. What I personally find disconcerting is the fact that many of todays players seem to lack basic fundamental skillsalthough theyre supposedly taught those skills in the minor leagues. Another thing that bugs me about many of todays players: they dont seem very knowledgeable about the history of the game. On the other hand, I feel that pitching has gotten more technical and is somewhat better. Im not certain if players like Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, or even Babe Ruth would fare as well against some of todays top hurlers. Then again, I could be wrong.

Norm:

How can readers find out more about you and your endeavors?


Dean:

They can check out my WEBSITE. Information regarding Pinch Hitter, including reviews, can be found there. I also have a baseball blog connected to my site. I will be updating it regularly once spring training gets into full swing.

Norm:

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?


Dean:


Only that I sincerely thank them for taking the time to read this interview. And I thank you, Norm, for allowing me to share my thoughts.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors