The Art of Fielding

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use and addiction.

Pella grabs her bathing suit and goes to the pool to swim. She trips over Schwartz, who is sitting outside. He tells her that he didn’t get into Yale. He fears that this will prevent him from becoming governor of Illinois.

Schwartz tells Pella about Owen’s injuries. He also praises Guert and shares his often-told anecdote about Ralph Waldo Emerson digging up the grave of his 19-year-old wife, Ellen. Pella has heard the story many times but doesn’t mind letting Schwartz tell it because he’s clearly excited about the morbid tale.

Guert visits Owen in the hospital and notices how beautiful he is. Owen asks him to go to his dorm room and collect his glasses.

Henry offers to loan Schwartz some money from his signing bonus. At practice, Coach Cox tells Henry that Aparicio will be in attendance at the next game in anticipation of Henry’s breaking his record.

Schwartz is anxious about his most recent rejection. He hasn’t been honest with Henry: He hasn’t told him about all the other rejections. They usually get pizza at Carapelli’s on Fridays, but today, Schwartz makes the excuse that he needs to work on his thesis.