Publisher's Synopsis
In June 1966, 20 year old Johnny Jones joins the Air Force and is shipped to a base in Northern Italy. Little did he know he'd have a torrid love affair, play professional baseball in the Italian League and be offered the opportunity to become an officer and fly fighter jets. 'A Diamond In Venice' is the story of a young man from the Midwest who at the end of his sophomore year of college has no clue as to what he wants to do or what he wants to be, so he decides to join the armed forces. When he arrives at Aviano Air Base located in Northern Italy, he meets Maria, a gorgeous Italian girl from a wealthy family who is working on the base to perfect her English. They fall deeply in love and Johnny realizes that he now knows what he wants to do - marry Maria and become an officer. He discovers, however, that there are a few obstacles, including Maria's father who is opposed to their relationship. Johnny must somehow find a way to win him over. Along the way he is given the opportunity to play professional baseball in the Italian baseball league where he becomes a star playing shortstop for Venice. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he'd be signing autographs before a ball game.
