Baseball Great

Josh's father pushes him to excel in baseball, convinced his son has what it takes to become a professional athlete. When Josh gets the chance to attend a prestigious baseball camp, his father insists he go, despite Josh's uncertainty about leaving his regular team behind. At the camp, Josh and his new friends begin to notice strange behavior among some of the players who seem to be performing beyond their natural abilities. Their investigation leads them to uncover troubling information about the camp's training methods and supplements program. With help from his friend Jaden and school newspaper reporter Benji, Josh faces difficult choices about his future in baseball and his relationship with his father. The story combines sports action with elements of mystery as the young athletes work to expose the truth. Baseball Great examines themes of parent-child relationships, the pressure to succeed in youth sports, and the importance of making ethical choices when faced with shortcuts to achievement. The book addresses the real-world issue of performance enhancement in athletics while focusing on personal integrity and friendship.

Readers describe this middle-grade baseball novel as engaging for both sports fans and reluctant readers, with fast-paced action and relatable characters. Parents note it works well for 8-12 year olds, especially boys who love baseball. Readers highlight: - Realistic baseball game descriptions - Strong father-son relationship themes - Ethical dilemmas that spark discussions - Integration of sports with deeper topics like cheating and steroids Common criticisms: - Predictable plot developments - Some unrealistic characterizations of 12-year-olds - Adult characters can feel one-dimensional Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,847 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (168 ratings) Scholastic: 4/5 (86 ratings) "Perfect for kids who love Matt Christopher books" notes one teacher reviewer. Another parent writes, "Got my reluctant reader interested in chapter books through his love of baseball."

Heat by Mike Lupica A 12-year-old pitching prodigy faces scrutiny about his age while leading his team to the Little League World Series.

The Big Field by Mike Lupica A high school baseball player competes for the starting shortstop position while confronting a complicated relationship with his father.

Plunked by Michael Northrop A sixth-grade baseball player must overcome his fear of being hit by pitches after taking a fastball to the head.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter A mysterious newcomer helps save a small town's baseball legacy through a high-stakes game against developers.

Six Innings by James Preller The story of one Little League championship game unfolds through the perspectives of players on both teams.

🏆 Tim Green played in the NFL for eight years as a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons before becoming a novelist and children's book author. ⚾ The book tackles serious themes of steroid use in youth sports, mirroring real-world concerns about performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. 📚 Baseball Great is the first book in a series that includes Rivals and Best of the Best, following protagonist Josh's journey through competitive youth baseball. 🎯 Author Tim Green visits roughly 30 schools each year to promote literacy and discuss his books with young readers. 🤝 The story emphasizes the importance of father-son relationships and the pressure some parents put on young athletes to succeed, drawing from Green's experiences as both a professional athlete and a parent.