The Dog Sox

While billed as a mystery, this engaging baseball novel from Edgar-finalist Hill (The Lord God Bird) contains only a whiff of crime. When Ray Adams buys a minor league California team, based in the small town of Knights Landing, for his beautiful girlfriend Ava's birthday, he renames it the Dog Sox because Ava gave him a pair of socks with pictures of dogs on them. The team manager, Dutch Goltz, who had a short stint as a pro player, finds a diamond in the rough in the form of pitcher Billy Collins, whose eccentric pitching motion renders him unhittable, at least for a few innings. Bolstered by Billy's arm, the team reaches first place in its league, but the smooth ride hits a few bumps when Billy's abusive father shows up and causes trouble. More intrigue is generated by another hurler, English teacher Otis Bickford, who makes no secret of his interest in Ava. A simple prose style perfectly complements a moving character study centered on Ray and Ava's relationship. (Mar.)