Baseball in the 1950s comes to life through the words of 92 players from the fifties. In their conversations with author Gene Fehler, they tell, in more than a thousand stories and comments, of memorable moments, their dealings with umpires and managers, injuries and trades that affected their careers, regrets and joys that still remain with them so many years later. Players spoken to include Hall of Famers, All Stars, journeymen, and a few who were in the big leagues for the proverbial cup of coffee. Regardless of stature, they all have wonderful stories to tell about big league life in the 1950s, high and low, and moments with other players.

Kate is having the best summer a sports-loving eleven-year-old could possibly have. Baseball. Tennis. And to top it off, Kate has just started a three-week class where she s discovering a new love: poetry. Then comes the news that tears Kate s world apart. In her close-knit family, Kate has always felt God s love and protection. But how can she trust God now? Do sports or poetry matter when tragedy strikes? In Kate s darkest hour, her mother s faith shines its brightest, helping Kate to see that life is still beautiful and God is still good. Always, no matter what."

" It's the worst sound I've ever heard in all my years of umping.
Oh, I've heard plenty of pitches hit a helmet.
But this . . . this fastball, up and in.
This one hit bone, right in the face.
Not even a scream or grunt from the kid.
He went down like he was shot." In the bottom of the last inning against their biggest rival, Oak Grove High has two men on base and the score is tied. Luke "Wizard" Wallace is at bat, and he knows what he needs to do: drive in the winning run, save the game, and be a hero.
Luke has everything under control, except the pitch.