Billy Boom! Boom!

A NOTE FOR MY READERS

As a young man, I studied the sciences. I have a degree in civil engineering and this is the first novel I have ever written. Like many engineers and those that have studied the sciences, I have never been accused of having a strong command of the English language, nor is writing expertise something that I would post on a resume. As such, for those who are efficient in nouns, verbs, adverbs, grammar and writing skills, you may notice some rather glaring poor writing and grammatical skills that I have. That’s okay. I have been advised to find an efficient writer to assist me in this book, I have declined. What you see is what you get. So I ask your indulgence in bearing with me and accepting my shortcomings in writing this book. This novel is intended to be fun reading for the many baseball fans not just in the USA, but worldwide. And especially for the ever loyal fans of the beloved Chicago Cubs. Cubbie blue forever.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to the many men and women who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces. To those that have fallen, to those that have suffered wounds both physically and psychologically, to those that have given a part of their lives to protect our democracy, you will never be forgotten. God bless you now and forever. Thank you for your service.

Billy Fitz

INTRODUCTION

Billy Adams is a 17 year-old senior at Brother Rice High School located in the southwest side of Chicago. The oldest of seven children (six sisters) and the son of Billy Adams Sr. (now deceased) and Patricia Adams, age 39. Billy’s father was killed in a car accident in September after Billy finished eighth grade. Billy was a three time all star center fielder in Little League (11 and 12 year olds) and one year of Pony League (13 and 14 year olds) and the most sought after player, some say, for several high schools on the South Side of Chicago. He selected Brother Rice (his father was a graduate there) and played for one week in fall practice until his father lost his life. His father was killed instantly when broadsided by a drunk driver with no insurance and a suspended driver’s license. Billy’s father worked for the City of Chicago as a firefighter and because he was off duty received a small death pension, certainly not enough to provide for his wife and seven children. He had a $100,000 life insurance policy, but in the last three and a half years it has become depleted. Fortunately, Billy’s father was a member of the Brother Rice Dad’s Club- Billy’s tuition was paid for as for any student whose father dies while he is a student.

Two weeks after his father’s death, Billy went to work at a local restaurant as a busboy. During the school year he worked about forty hours per week and when school is out or when on Christmas or spring break, he worked about sixty hours per week. He has never played organized baseball since. Because his mother stayed at home to care for all of his sisters, Billy became the sole support of the family. But the money is running out and the family expenses are growing every year as the girls get older. The girls are Mary Rose (13), Kathleen (11), Ann Marie (9), Nora (7) and twins Maeve and Grace (5). Billy’s mother Patricia always wanted the girls to attend Mother McAuley High School, as she did, but the money is just not there. Mary Rose is in eighth grade and she just took the entrance exam at Mother McAuley, but at $9,500.00 per year it does not look possible. Billy knows this and knows also that it is he and he alone who must provide for all these expenses, and he doesn’t think he can do it.

About the beginning of November, three months ago, Billy was talking to one of the customers (Mr. Riccio) at the restaurant where he worked. The customer had remembered Billy’s playing days in grammar school, as he was a high school baseball coach at the local public high school. He was asking Billy if he ever intended to play again. Billy told him he would love to but just did not have the time. Mr. Riccio noticed Billy had grown substantially in the last three years – he had been 5’ 8, 155 pounds when he started high school and now three and a half years later he is a strapping 6’ 3 and 200 pounds. Doing hard labor 40 to 60 hours a week, Billy is in incredible physical shape. Coach Riccio asked Billy if he ever heard of an automatic pitching machine (his high school had one) and Billy said he had not. Coach Riccio said that his school has a major league one that could throw up to 100 miles/hour, curve balls and sliders also. And he asked Billy if he would like to try it out. Billy was so excited he said sure, but the only times he was available were Saturday and Sunday mornings. Coach Riccio said, How about this Saturday at 8 a.m.? Billy thanked him and said he would be there.

That Saturday, two days later, Billy went to Evergreen Park High School Athletic Building at 7:45 a.m. and met Coach Riccio. Coach Riccio took him to the baseball area and showed him their best pitching machine. He told him that the machine could pitch from speeds 50 to 100 mph in addition to throwing curves and sliders at various speeds. Coach showed him the bat rack and suggested that he try swinging some at different weights and lengths until he found one he liked. Billy very quickly found a 42 long (longest allowed by the rules), and 35 ounces in weight that felt very good. Now Coach Riccio suggested that they start out with 70 mph fastballs. Billy said that would be great. He had this strange feeling of the bat in his hands, a feeling he had three and a half years ago, the last time he had picked up a bat. The first pitch he faced was a 70 mph fastball right down the middle. He hit it squarely 350 feet to left field. He hit the next nine pitches hard, never missing one. Now he switched to left-handed (he had been a switch hitter all his youthful baseball days) and took another ten pitches at 70 mph, crushing the ball all ten times. Coach Riccio was impressed and excited. He said, Let’s go to 80 mph, but Billy said, Just go to 90 mph. Coach Riccio adjusted the pitching machine to 90 mph and Billy took ten balls righty and ten balls lefty. He killed all twenty pitches, never missing one, hitting them all exceptionally hard. Coach Riccio said to Billy that he had never seen the ball come off a bat faster in his life. He said there is even a special, a different sound when he connected. Billy said, Crank it up to 100 mph." Coach Riccio did and he took ten pitches righty and ten lefty. He crushed eighteen of them, foul tipping just two, and Coach Riccio was beside himself. He just could not believe what he was witnessing. His heart rate had to be about 150 beats/minute – he couldn’t remember the last time he was so excited about anything. For the next hour they tried pitching 80 to 100 mph - curve balls and sliders also. Billy never missed a ball and hit the ball exceptionally hard over and over again.

Coach said after about an hour that he should take a break, as he wanted to talk to Billy. He told him that in his fifty five years on earth he had never seen anyone hit like he just did. He told Billy that the head coach at Brother Rice High School, Coach Camp, was a friend of his and if Billy liked he would call him and he would give Billy a look see. Billy said no, he couldn’t do that because if he played ball for Brother Rice, he would have to quit work and they were paycheck to paycheck as it was. Then Billy got a little serious and asked Coach Riccio if he would be 100% honest with him, and did he think he could ever play in the big leagues. Coach Riccio was so excited his voice was starting to quiver as he said he thought Billy was absolutely big league material. Billy felt a strange glow in his body and he thought of how he could provide for his family if Coach Riccio was right. Coach Riccio said Billy why don’t you come in here for the next few Saturdays and we will practice and I will try to help you any way I can. Billy did and his hitting stayed the same for the next several Saturdays. In addition, Coach Riccio tested him at center field (where he played in grammar school) – he was quick with sure hands and had a very strong, accurate arm. He tested him in the forty-yard dash (he was the fastest he ever tested). Then it was the last Saturday in December and Coach Riccio sat Billy down and said he wanted to talk. He said to Billy that he had never seen a high school boy with greater hitting ability, greater defensive play, anyone as fast as Billy or anyone who had a better throwing arm. He told him that in his opinion he would definitely make the big leagues – that he just had to get some exposure to the various teams. Now the only way to make the majors, he told Billy, was to be drafted (usually the first week in June) or attending the Major League Scouting Bureau U.S. Tryout Camps held in June and July in numerous cities in the U.S.A. to be seen. Since he was not actively playing (scouts closely look at high school standouts) his only alternative was to attend one of the Major League Scouting Bureau Tryouts next June and July and show his stuff. Billy said he would do that but asked about just showing up at spring training and trying to get a look see. Coach Riccio said they probably would not let him in the door. Billy replied that he was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs as his father was (his firehouse was close to Wrigley Field) and that was who he would really like to try out for. Billy said to Coach Riccio, I think I will go out to Mesa, Arizona (spring training home for the Cubs) the first day of spring training, knock on the door and ask for a look see.

If they slam the door shut, I’ll go home and try out in June with the Scouting Bureau. Billy said he really loved the Cubs and that he had gone to about twenty games (the Cubs owner and management were very good to the local police and firemen, giving them free tickets from time to time, and Billy’s father had always taken him to the games). Coach Riccio said, Good luck, I wish I knew someone in the Cubs organization who could possibly open a door for you, but I do not. Billy thanked Coach Riccio for his help and support, and asked him if he would keep what he was doing between them. Coach said he would and Billy started to plan his next move. He needed to find someone to help him get a tryout in spring training. He would spend the next month doing so.

CHAPTER 1

BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL

It is Friday, February 8th, and Billy has asked to see the principal of Brother Rice High School, Brother Harrigan, sometime today. The office clerk sent him a note telling him Brother Harrigan would see him at 2:15 p.m. Billy showed the note to his math teacher at 2:00 p.m., got permission to leave class, and headed towards the principal’s office. He told the clerk his name and she said Brother Harrigan was expecting him and to go right to his office. Brother Harrigan rose from his chair, stuck out his hand and asked how his favorite student at Brother Rice was. Billy said fine, and Brother Harrigan asked how his mother and sisters were. Billy said they were all well, doing what they were supposed to be doing.

Brother Harrigan said that he had followed Billy all four years of high school and that he was so impressed that he ranked 8th out of 235 in his class while working 40 hours per week. He told Billy that he was a lifelong baseball fan and that he was so excited when he heard Billy was attending Brother Rice almost four years ago, hoping and knowing that he was the most sought after baseball player in the south side of Chicago and that he would be playing for Brother Rice.

But he told Billy that life takes strange turns at times and he was so impressed that Billy had taken the bull by the horn and had helped out his family so much all the time being a standout student. And he told him four years ago he was convinced that someday Billy would be in the big leagues. He truly did. Then Brother Harrigan asked Billy how he could help him, was there some problem he had or why did he ask for this meeting? Billy replied that he wanted to play baseball again this year. Before he could finish talking, Brother Harrigan was so excited he said he would call Coach Camp right away and ask him to give Billy a tryout. He said, Billy, if you are half as good as you were four years ago, I think you will be the best player on the team this spring. And he picked up the phone and said, I will call Coach Camp right now.

Now Billy had to speak up and said to Brother Harrigan that he wanted to play ball but not for Brother Rice. Brother Harrigan put down the phone and said I don’t understand, who do you want to play for? Well, Billy said, the Chicago Cubs!!! Brother Harrigan’s face dropped and he slowly turned his head to the right wall next to his desk, which was adorned with various Cubs materials – a Chicago Cubs banner, a hand painting of the friendly confines, numerous signed pictures of some former Cubs greats. He then turned to Billy and said, The Chicago Cubs? Billy said, Yes, Brother. He then said, slowly, Billy you never played college ball, high school ball – my goodness the last time you played was in eighth grade! Billy replied, I know Brother, but for the last several weeks or so I have been working out on Saturday mornings with Coach Riccio at Evergreen Park High School and he thinks I can play for the majors right now. Brother Harrigan said he did not know Coach Riccio personally but that he did know of him and that he was without a doubt one of the top high school baseball coaches in the State of Illinois, sporting five state championships and numerous college scholarships for his many players.

Brother Harrigan says, You have been working out with Coach Riccio for two months and he thinks you got what it takes to be in the big leagues. Is that right? Yes, Billy said, That’s what he told me. Well, Brother Harrigan said, What can I do for you? Billy replied, I somehow will get a look see by someone on the Cubs and I intend to make the team for opening day. And the reason for this meeting is I would like to know if I could complete the last four months of school by correspondence or the internet if that is possible.

Brother Harrigan replied, If you make the Chicago Cubs this spring, I will personally be your out of town instructor and you will graduate on time. But what does your mother think of all this Billy? Billy replied, I haven’t told her anything yet, I wanted to make sure I had your okay because she would have a fit if I didn’t finish high school. But Brother Harrigan says, Billy, what if I said no, you could not be absent? Billy said nothing and just stared at Brother Harrigan for a few seconds. Finally, Brother Harrigan broke the silence and said, You would have gone anyway, wouldn’t you have? Billy said, Brother, with all due respect, I would have.

Then Brother Harrigan asked Billy what his schedule was. Billy replied that spring training begins on February 13th, with pitchers and coaches reporting, and three days later with position players reporting. Billy said, I bought a plane ticket on Southwest Airlines Chicago to Phoenix February 12th, and I thought I would go to Cubs camp early on the 13th and see if I could have someone to take a look at me. Brother Harrigan asked where he was going to stay, how he was going to get from the airport to his hotel and to Hohokam Stadium (Cubs spring training field), and when his return ticket was. Billy replied that there were a few cheap motels around the Stadium and that he would take a bus to get there – hopefully. Additionally, he told Brother Harrigan he did not have a return ticket on Southwest Airlines. Brother Harrigan asked him how he intended to get back to Chicago and Billy replied, On the team plane of course! Brother Harrigan kind of smiled and said, Billy, you sure are not lacking in confidence are you? Billy said, Brother, I have to be confident, I have six sisters and my mother depending on me.

Well, Billy, Brother Harrigan said, The owner of the Cubs, who I know, Dick Stoeckly, is a friend of mine. I met him through his father, who is active in Catholic Charities, as am I. Brother Harrigan said he had become very good friends with Mr. Stoeckly’s father, Joe, and that he would try to have someone meet Billy on February 13th. Now, he said, Do you have enough money, do you have a cell phone, did you pay for your airline ticket? Billy said he did not have a cell phone (they were too expensive), that he had about $600.00, and that he already paid for the plane ticket ($155.00).

Brother Harrigan said, Well, you are leaving in four days so let’s get you set up for your trip. He told Billy to stay right there in his office, that he had to get something from his room and he would be right back. Fifteen minutes later he returned, sat down, and told Billy he wanted him to take his cell phone and charger with him and to take some money he had saved ($1000.00) because he did not want him to be short on cash. He told Billy he goes every year to Cubs Spring Training about March 22nd and that he always stays at the Best Western not too far away from Hohokam Stadium. He said, I will call them and a make a reservation for you, it’s a nice place and I don’t want you staying at any cheap motel. I will pay for it so don’t worry. Billy spoke up and said, Brother, I don’t want you to pay for me and I can’t take that $1000.00, and I can get along without a cell phone. Brother Harrigan replied, Billy, you came in here a half hour ago, asked me for a big favor, which I did for you, and now I want you to do what I say. You will take the cell phone, you will take the extra money, and you will stay at the Best Western. No discussion. Do you understand? Billy quietly said, Yes sir, and thank you. Now, Brother Harrigan said, You have four days before you go, so you better get home and let your mother know what your intentions are. Tell her I said okay and that she can call me if she needs to. Now keep your cell phone close so I can call you and hopefully I can get someone on the Cubs to see you. Okay, we are all set. And Billy what time is your flight on Tuesday? Billy said it was at 5:30 p.m. Brother Harrigan said, I will pick you up at your house at 3:30 p.m. and take you to the airport. No discussion, okay? Billy quietly said, Yes sir, and thank you, and went back to class.

Brother Harrigan immediately called the Best Western in Mesa, Arizona, made a reservation for Billy for three nights, and prepaid for it with his credit card. He then called Joe Stoeckly, the Cubs owner’s father, and explained to him what was going on and asked him if there was any way someone could just take a look at Billy Adams on Wednesday the 13th. Joe was quite surprised and told Brother Harrigan that there was probably less than one percent chance that whoever this kid was, he would have any possibility of making the Cubs roster. Not only that, but the likelihood of even making the minors was slim indeed. Joe said that seventeen year olds are sometimes delusional, sometimes overconfident, but that he could make some calls to see if he could help. He told Brother Harrigan he would get back to him today.

About an hour later, Joe Stoeckly called Brother Harrigan and told him to have this young boy at Hohokam Stadium at 7:00 a.m. on the 13th, knock on the door and ask for Matt Duffy, who is the hitting coach for the Cubs. He also told him that his son wasn’t too happy about this request seeing that the first day of spring training is all scheduled and that nobody has any spare time. He said most likely they will show him the door in about two hours, but that he did all he could and at least someone would take a look at him. Brother Harrigan thanked him and told him he would see him in Mesa about mid-March.

Brother Harrigan went to Billy’s classroom, told him about his phone call with Mr. Stoeckly and how Mr. Duffy, the Cubs hitting coach would be waiting for him. Billy was thrilled. In addition, he told him that when he got off the plane in Phoenix, to look for a tall African American man who will be holding a sign with Billy’s name on it. He is a retired Chicago policeman, who graduated from Brother Rice and has been a friend of mine for several years. He will give you a ride to your hotel and show you around. His name is John Williams and he said he knew of your father. In fact, his brother was a fireman who knew your Dad very well. Look for him Billy, are we okay on this? Yes Brother and thank you again.

CHAPTER 2

TELLING MOM

Billy’s six sisters all went to St. John Fisher Grammar School, which was two blocks from their modest three bedroom ranch home. They usually got home at about 3:15 p.m. and Billy usually got home about 3:45 p.m., stayed for about an hour and went to work. And as usual, as Billy walked in the door, all six girls ran up to him with big hugs and kisses and loving looks on all of their faces. Billy was just not their older brother, in the last three and a half years since his father died he had become their