Rave Reviews Log: Sports Stories

April 26, 2007

The Boy Who Saved Baseball


By John H. Ritter
Sport: Baseball
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle


It looks like Doc is finally going to give in and sell his 300 acres of land to developers to help build up the failing Dillontown. But Tom and his teammates don't want a new development; they want to keep their old historic ballfield. At the town meeting, Doc makes them a deal. If the Dillontown camp team can beat the fancy summer camp team from down the road in a single big baseball game, he won't sell the land. The kids think it's hopeless when suddenly, Cruz de la Cruz appears. Cruz is a 12 year old boy with a never say die attitude and amazing baseball skills. Cruz gets the idea to find old Dante Del Gato, the hitting champion from Dillontown who mysteriously dropped out of baseball after hitting a perfect 19-for-19 in the playoffs, and get him to coach them. But even with one star shortstop and an ex-professional baseball player to coach them, can the Dillontown kids believe in themselves enough to win the game? This is a great baseball story, filled with some mystical events, a winner take all game, and a whole lotta heart. Sports fans will love it!