Book signing at Excite Ballpark

The San Jose Giants hosted me on Saturday, June 1, for my very first book event. It was magical. As the staff opened the gates to season-ticket holders ahead of the night’s matchup between the Giants and the Fresno Grizzlies, I was just finishing setting up at the table they provided me. With the help of my trusty cousin and bookkeeper for the day, Leslie Behar, we were ready to start mingling with the crowd. My friend from college (UC Davis) and campus radio (KDVS 90.3 FM), Ben Taylor, was now the general manager for San Jose, San Francisco’s Single-A affiliate. He had this idea and facilitated it for me.

Before I could even get comfortable — I actually wasn’t quite done setting up — a fellow UC Davis Aggie alum named Jill approached us with curiosity. Quickly, she was interested and wound up purchasing a couple copies. It was a great confidence boost, especially so early in the evening, well before first pitch. Not only was Jill a fellow Aggie, but also we quickly learned that her husband was too and that her daughter Morgan had been on the swimming team for a couple of years while I was there. The kind and interesting people continued to visit as some more books were sold. Not too long after Jill’s visit, Ben stopped by again. I’d be throwing out the first pitch, he told me, and he would come to get me in about an hour. It was funny. He had asked me many months before, and I declined. Well, this time it wasn’t a question, and I wasn’t about to back out of it either; I wanted to do it.

It was Día de los Churros at the stadium, in which the Giants rebranded for the night as the Churros (does that mean I have to go back and change all Giants references to Churros?). And they were committed to the bit, every time referring to their team as the San Jose Churros over the public address system. Anyway, I had one of their specially-made churros at one point, and it didn’t disappoint. The team wore caps depicting a churro in a sombrero swinging a bat made out of a couple more churros. Anyway, when Marc, our second purchaser, was talking with us and learned, along with us, that I’d be throwing out the first pitch, he not only offered to let me borrow his jersey (I politely declined), but he also chipped in a little extra (on top of the book) to help my cousin buy me a Churros cap to commemorate my first event. It was so kind and something neither of them had to do of course. I love that cap and the gesture behind it even more.

So, Ben brought me onto the field, along with the other two guys slated to throw out the first pitch. I went second and followed the directions of Ben and the on-field staffer. As instructed, I walked to the mound upon hearing my name, briefly acknowledged the crowd and then tried not to embarrass myself. Judging from the video, I think I succeeded in surpassing that low bar; I believe that my pitch short-hopped into the catcher’s glove and was largely down the middle.

After the first pitch, I was joined at the mound by my catcher for the day, left-handed Mexican outfielder Guillermo Hernandez, who otherwise had the night off (he sat against southpaw Isaiah Coupet). Here I am with the 20-year-old, who three days later in Stockton would record three hits, including his sixth home run of the season, in San Jose’s 10-5 victory over the Ports.

Back at the booth, the rewarding conversations continued, and I met people from all walks of life. There was Steven who told me he wanted to come back to introduce me to his entire family. Sure enough, he did an inning or so later. They were all lovely, and just like Tony Barnette, Steven had two daughters roughly the same age as Madelyn and Loretta. They were softball players named Elena and Evelyn. I opened the book, flipped to the photo insert and showed them and their parents the pictures of Madelyn and Loretta. Earlier that night, Denis and his son, Aron, stopped by, another happy parent-kid pairing bonding by watching some minor league baseball.

Later, I met a substitute teacher named Shirley who was working at the bar at Excite Ballpark. She said her son was also in education as a special-ed teacher, I believe at the middle school level. Everyone we spoke to loved baseball and reading. That was the common thread. Before Shirley, another ballpark employee named Moira talked to us and bought a book. I particularly enjoyed inscribing a genuine message for each person, whether he/she wanted it written to them or someone important in their life. At times, after signing, I’d forget to put the jacket back on the book, something Leslie never failed to remind me to do. Leslie and I were a great team, and this one would go down as a massive success by all accounts. I can’t wait to plan more events.

I truly, from the bottom of my heart, want to thank Ben for conceptualizing the idea to have me on hand signing and selling books and for placing me in a spot with such great foot traffic in front of the bar on a busy Saturday night of baseball. Leslie as well. I would’ve been lost without her by my side.

See you at the next event?

*I didn’t list everyone we met or everyone who purchased books, but it was a pleasure speaking to each and every one. And I can’t wait for them to open it and start reading; in fact, I think and hope many already have. Thank you to them all.