David Larson

The Scoreboard Keeper David Larson

The early warning signs were ominous but the prize, a massive rainbow trout, was too compelling to let slip away. Even as a kid, Charlie Davis was a risk taker, but his sixty-year old body may not endure this latest escapade. A small misstep while fly fishing finds Charlie tumbling uncontrollably down the rapids of the Yakima River fighting desperately for survival. Just as he has exerted his last bit of strength and a resigned acceptance settles into his consciousness, a hand appears from the water's surface and yanks him to the safety of the riverbank. Coincidence, or perhaps something more profound, reveals the rescuer to be a treasured mentor from his childhood-the providential foundation of their relationship beginning decades ago when nine-year old Charlie moves into a house directly across the street from Battersby Field, home of the Bellingham Bells Minor League Baseball team. A series of lucky breaks lands Charlie the job as scoreboard keeper for the team and a chance friendship develops between him and Joe Harper, the Bell's leftfielder. With Joe as an ally, Charlie gains unrestricted access to the dugout, bullpen, clubhouse and the hearts and minds of twenty-five minor leaguers all hoping to one day make it to "the show." The entire story spans just a four-week period in the spring of 1960. This memorable era of early rock-and-roll, civil rights and JFK's presidential run serves as a backdrop for a vibrant, nostalgic chronicle of boyhood, self-discovery and, of course-baseball.