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Cruz de la Cruz #1
Desperado Who Stole Baseball
The exciting prequel to the bestselling The Boy Who Saved Baseball The fate of a Wild West gold-mining town rests in the hands of two individuals. One is a twelve-year-old boy with a love and instinct for baseball unmatched by any grown-up. The other is the country's most infamous outlaw, on the run and looking for peace of mind. Together, they pair up to prove that heroes can emerge from anywhere. John H. Ritter brings the Old West to life in this prequel to his breakout success, The Boy Who Saved Baseball .
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
John H. Ritter
8 books19 followers Novelist John H. Ritter (born October 31, 1951, in San Pedro, California) grew up in the summer-dry hills east of San Diego. "I grew up in a baseball family," says John. "But we were also a family of musicians and mathematicians, house painters and poets. My dad was a sports writer in Ashtabula, Ohio, who moved the family out west, just before I was born, to become Sports Editor for The San Diego Union."
Growing up in a sparse, mountainous region also helped stretch John's imagination. "Out in that country," he says, "there was a real sense of the spirits who walked the land in the centuries before. And being so cut off from other kids, I roamed the hills a lot, following hawks and eagles, climbing boulders, sitting in Indian caves. Rattlesnakes never bothered us much. But I felt the spirits everywhere. I think my mom, who was part Blackfoot Indian, had a lot to do with that."
When John was only four, however, his mother died of breast cancer, leaving his father to raise four small children on his own. John still recalls his mother and her songs. "One thing I remember about my mom is that she sang to us constantly, making up a song for each of her four children that fit our personalities perfectly. So from her, I got a sense of how to capture a
person's spirit in a lyrical phrase."
Over time, his musical interests continued to grow and in high school, the social commentary of folksinger Bob Dylan inspired him to write his own songs, hoping to pursue a musical career. He was, however, a “wild student,” he admits to English professor Chris Crowe in an interview for The ALAN Review, and was torn between his love of baseball and writing, calling himself both “a high achiever and a rabble rouser,” noting, for example, that in 1969 he was voted Senior Class President and the Senior Class Clown. Teachers did, however, recognize his writing talent, although his work was so often read out loud in class that he also admits to growing complacent and somewhat lazy about having to improve his skills.
At the University of California, San Diego, John studied communications while playing for the UCSD baseball team, all-the-while continuing to write Dylan-style songs. But by his sophomore year, he recalls, “I was anxious to get on with my life. And for the vision I had in mind, college didn’t have much to offer me. I knew I had to walk the streets, touch life, embrace life, gain experience.” So like his literary heroes before him, i.e., Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Mark Twain, John quit school, taking a job as a painter’s apprentice, and set about traveling the country. He learned to live so cheaply that he could earn enough in three or four months to allow him to travel and write for the rest of the year. He did that for several years, until he married his wife, Cheryl, whom he had met in college, and they had a baby daughter. With a family to support, John needed to work nine months a year, painting houses, but the rest of his time went into writing, an artistic lifestyle he later spotlighted in his song-laden socio-political novel, Under the Baseball Moon.
In 1994, after publishing several short stories, John received the Judy Blume Award and a cash grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for a novel in progress. In 1996, he submitted his manuscript through the Curtis Brown Agency to Philomel Books where it became the first acquisition of junior editor, Michael Green. Since then, Green has risen to become Editorial Director and Publisher of Philomel Books and has edited all six of John’s novels.
In 1999, John’s first novel, Choosing Up Sides, won the International Reading Association Children’s Book Award for Older Readers and was designated an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. This hard-hitting work of ... [To see more of this bio, go to John's website or his Wikipedia entry.]
Growing up in a sparse, mountainous region also helped stretch John's imagination. "Out in that country," he says, "there was a real sense of the spirits who walked the land in the centuries before. And being so cut off from other kids, I roamed the hills a lot, following hawks and eagles, climbing boulders, sitting in Indian caves. Rattlesnakes never bothered us much. But I felt the spirits everywhere. I think my mom, who was part Blackfoot Indian, had a lot to do with that."
When John was only four, however, his mother died of breast cancer, leaving his father to raise four small children on his own. John still recalls his mother and her songs. "One thing I remember about my mom is that she sang to us constantly, making up a song for each of her four children that fit our personalities perfectly. So from her, I got a sense of how to capture a
person's spirit in a lyrical phrase."
Over time, his musical interests continued to grow and in high school, the social commentary of folksinger Bob Dylan inspired him to write his own songs, hoping to pursue a musical career. He was, however, a “wild student,” he admits to English professor Chris Crowe in an interview for The ALAN Review, and was torn between his love of baseball and writing, calling himself both “a high achiever and a rabble rouser,” noting, for example, that in 1969 he was voted Senior Class President and the Senior Class Clown. Teachers did, however, recognize his writing talent, although his work was so often read out loud in class that he also admits to growing complacent and somewhat lazy about having to improve his skills.
At the University of California, San Diego, John studied communications while playing for the UCSD baseball team, all-the-while continuing to write Dylan-style songs. But by his sophomore year, he recalls, “I was anxious to get on with my life. And for the vision I had in mind, college didn’t have much to offer me. I knew I had to walk the streets, touch life, embrace life, gain experience.” So like his literary heroes before him, i.e., Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Mark Twain, John quit school, taking a job as a painter’s apprentice, and set about traveling the country. He learned to live so cheaply that he could earn enough in three or four months to allow him to travel and write for the rest of the year. He did that for several years, until he married his wife, Cheryl, whom he had met in college, and they had a baby daughter. With a family to support, John needed to work nine months a year, painting houses, but the rest of his time went into writing, an artistic lifestyle he later spotlighted in his song-laden socio-political novel, Under the Baseball Moon.
In 1994, after publishing several short stories, John received the Judy Blume Award and a cash grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for a novel in progress. In 1996, he submitted his manuscript through the Curtis Brown Agency to Philomel Books where it became the first acquisition of junior editor, Michael Green. Since then, Green has risen to become Editorial Director and Publisher of Philomel Books and has edited all six of John’s novels.
In 1999, John’s first novel, Choosing Up Sides, won the International Reading Association Children’s Book Award for Older Readers and was designated an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. This hard-hitting work of ... [To see more of this bio, go to John's website or his Wikipedia entry.]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 20, 2016
This book is about a 12 year old kid named jack who's parents and brother have died .ON his way out to meet his uncle he meet the biggest, baddest outlaw ever and they become friend and go to try to find jack's uncle the player-manager of the Dillowtown nine a baseball team. The team is going to play the Chicago white stocking. The manager for the white stocking is a big cheater however and takes out to of there best players .The team has to have a tryout and jack and billy make the team but billy gets caught and goes into hiding. on the day of the game jack break his hand warming up the pitcher Dixie . Later on in the game they need billy to help them win so he does but right before he at bat the marshal finds him a shoots at him but since billy has a bat he hits the bullet straight back at the marshal a hits him in the forehead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2019
Just wow! John H. Ritter sure knows how to write a book!!! The Desperado Who Stole Baseball is a great story from the wild west. It is the year 1881. When Jack Dylan's parents die of water disease, he decides to head out west to his uncle's town, Dillontown. His uncle owns a baseball team who claim that they are the best in the country out there and Jack wants to join it. He ends up meeting a desperado (who turns out to be someone very different then Jack thinks). He says that baseball is a waste of time, but they agree to stick together. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Stockings, who also think that they are the best team in the country, decide that they want to play a game against this legendary team, the Dillontown nine. Who will win this epic game? With surprises around the corner, people are not who they appear to be.
This was a great story! It is great, besides some mild violence. I think that it would be great for anyone 9 or older, even if you do not like baseball. And I will start putting 3 emojis in my reviews. So here they come: 🤠⚾👍
This was a great story! It is great, besides some mild violence. I think that it would be great for anyone 9 or older, even if you do not like baseball. And I will start putting 3 emojis in my reviews. So here they come: 🤠⚾👍
August 1, 2023
Jack Dillon is traveling to Dillontown to meet his uncle when he runs into Billy the Kid. They travel together and end up becoming involved in a high stakes baseball game against the Chicago White Stockings. A lot of the book is rather ridiculous but younger people who like baseball would probably enjoy it. I only read this because i needed to read a book where a baseball game occurred.
July 5, 2017
This baseball novel is designed for YA readers. The main character Jack is 12 years old and an orphan. The author offers a few true facts but the part about Billy the Kid is fiction. The novel takes place in Dillontown, California, which is home town to one of the best baseball teams west of the Mississippi. The main conflict is a baseball game between the Chicago White Stockings and the Dillontown nine. The novel is a bit schmaltzy.
May 14, 2025
I’m giving this book 4 stars not because it’s grounded or serious, but because I absolutely loved it as a kid. The premise is definitely a bit absurd—Billy the Kid helping a baseball team in the Wild West—but that’s also what made it so memorable and fun. It sparked my love for both baseball and westerns, and it stuck with me in a way few books from childhood did. It’s bold, wild, and full of heart, and sometimes that’s exactly what makes a story great.
November 15, 2021
I didn't expect this book to be set in a new time period from the first one, but was an entertaining read. Most of the characters weren't very interesting and the story doesnt seem like it was really necessary after the first, but it was an interesting mashup of baseball and the wild west.
October 25, 2017
Baseball and the wild west...thought that was a good combination so I read it. It was a little immature for me. Some fun parts, and good characters.
October 7, 2018
A cute little story. A lot more description of action than scenery.
January 3, 2015
The Desperado Who Stole Baseball is a fictional old west/sports novel written by John H. Ritter.
Summary: Twelve year old Jack Dillon, the self-proclaimed "world's greatest baseballist in the entire nation," befriends Billy the Kid on the trail to California. Ritter depicts the famous outlaw as a lightning-reflexed, misunderstood loner looking to retire in Dillontown, while Jack intends to join his uncle’s famous amateur baseball team. "The Dillontown Nine have challenged the mighty Chicago White Stockings to a high-stakes game, with the future of the town riding on the outcome, and sure enough, Jack’s enthusiasm and Billy’s natural athleticism figure to play a role in that outcome." Dillontown was built upon a gold mine. Yet for the villagers, life is about something even more valuable, baseball. Home to the Dillontown Nine, they would give anything to join the ranks of professional ballplayers - even their gold. To do it, they will need to defeat the world champion Chicago White Stockings and their cheating owner, willing to bet anything for the mine, and willing to do anything to avoid losing. Fortunately, Dillontown is home to two boys who know a little something about winning - Jack and Billy.
In my opinion the book was very entertaining. One example from the book, is when Jack Dillon first meets Billy the Kid. This is entertaining because Jack is out in the desert alone and he sees a guy on a horse far away, so Jack gets up and starts to run away. Jack is then picked up and thrown on the back of the horse and the horse was pulled to a stop. Billy the Kid pulled Jack off the horse and said, "Are you lost?" Jack shook his head yes. Billy revealed his face, and Jack took a gasp. But Billy asked Jack for help. Billy needed clothes, another horse, and a place to sleep until Jack said, "I know a place where you could go." Billy than asked "Where?" Jack then said, "Dillontown, it's where my Uncle lives." Billy than looked at Jack and he nodded his head yes.
The main theme of the book is friendship. Friendship is shown when Jack decides to help Billy the Kid get away from a life of crime. Also, when Jack gets Billy the Kid a place to stay in Dillontown and a spot on the Dillontown Nine baseball team. In turn, Billy helps Jack grow-up, get tougher, and understand what it is to be a man.
The book is a appropriate for my age group and is well written and well detailed. The author used a lot of big words to describe characters, villages,cities, hotels, houses, baseball fields, and gold mines. A entertaining quote from the book is when Marshal Danbridge says, " 'Freeze right there, Billy Bonney!' A huge voice cut through the crowd. From around the corner of the White Stockings dugout, Marshal Danbridge stepped out onto the field with his gun drawn. 'You're wanted dead or alive. So it's your choice, Kid. Make it easy on yourself or easy on me.'
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Baseball and Westerns.
Summary: Twelve year old Jack Dillon, the self-proclaimed "world's greatest baseballist in the entire nation," befriends Billy the Kid on the trail to California. Ritter depicts the famous outlaw as a lightning-reflexed, misunderstood loner looking to retire in Dillontown, while Jack intends to join his uncle’s famous amateur baseball team. "The Dillontown Nine have challenged the mighty Chicago White Stockings to a high-stakes game, with the future of the town riding on the outcome, and sure enough, Jack’s enthusiasm and Billy’s natural athleticism figure to play a role in that outcome." Dillontown was built upon a gold mine. Yet for the villagers, life is about something even more valuable, baseball. Home to the Dillontown Nine, they would give anything to join the ranks of professional ballplayers - even their gold. To do it, they will need to defeat the world champion Chicago White Stockings and their cheating owner, willing to bet anything for the mine, and willing to do anything to avoid losing. Fortunately, Dillontown is home to two boys who know a little something about winning - Jack and Billy.
In my opinion the book was very entertaining. One example from the book, is when Jack Dillon first meets Billy the Kid. This is entertaining because Jack is out in the desert alone and he sees a guy on a horse far away, so Jack gets up and starts to run away. Jack is then picked up and thrown on the back of the horse and the horse was pulled to a stop. Billy the Kid pulled Jack off the horse and said, "Are you lost?" Jack shook his head yes. Billy revealed his face, and Jack took a gasp. But Billy asked Jack for help. Billy needed clothes, another horse, and a place to sleep until Jack said, "I know a place where you could go." Billy than asked "Where?" Jack then said, "Dillontown, it's where my Uncle lives." Billy than looked at Jack and he nodded his head yes.
The main theme of the book is friendship. Friendship is shown when Jack decides to help Billy the Kid get away from a life of crime. Also, when Jack gets Billy the Kid a place to stay in Dillontown and a spot on the Dillontown Nine baseball team. In turn, Billy helps Jack grow-up, get tougher, and understand what it is to be a man.
The book is a appropriate for my age group and is well written and well detailed. The author used a lot of big words to describe characters, villages,cities, hotels, houses, baseball fields, and gold mines. A entertaining quote from the book is when Marshal Danbridge says, " 'Freeze right there, Billy Bonney!' A huge voice cut through the crowd. From around the corner of the White Stockings dugout, Marshal Danbridge stepped out onto the field with his gun drawn. 'You're wanted dead or alive. So it's your choice, Kid. Make it easy on yourself or easy on me.'
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Baseball and Westerns.
November 14, 2012
The desperado who stole baseball is a not as good of a book as I thought it was but I still decided to read it through and do a book report. I don't really recommend it and gets boring at times where the author loses me sometimes.
Moving on, The Desperado Who Stole Baseball was about where a band of Wild West rough and tumble fist fighters try to challenge the Chicago White Stockings (the best baseball team of all time) to a game. The author introduces the main character as a boy named Jack Dillon. He is a boy with a dream to become the youngest member of the Wild West rough and tumble fist fighters. You must be thinking why is Jack joining this team? It is because his long lost uncle is the team owner.
So just like in all Wild West movies and books he sets off on horseback across the Wild West to make his fortune. As he rides his way along he runs into lots of trouble. Such as finding a infamous friend that is wanted by the law, either dead or alive. Everyone calls him the desperado. As the story goes on the title starts getting relevant to the story and the climax comes.
The author, John H. Ritter writes a great book but tells to much and doesn’t show. On the other hand the author’s book is action packed and thrilling. Another book that John H. Ritter has written is The Boy who saves baseball which I still have not read.
Even after I read this boring book I recommend it to people who are big fans of the Wild West and baseball. All to gatherer I give this book 3 stars at max. Hope you read it and enjoy.
Moving on, The Desperado Who Stole Baseball was about where a band of Wild West rough and tumble fist fighters try to challenge the Chicago White Stockings (the best baseball team of all time) to a game. The author introduces the main character as a boy named Jack Dillon. He is a boy with a dream to become the youngest member of the Wild West rough and tumble fist fighters. You must be thinking why is Jack joining this team? It is because his long lost uncle is the team owner.
So just like in all Wild West movies and books he sets off on horseback across the Wild West to make his fortune. As he rides his way along he runs into lots of trouble. Such as finding a infamous friend that is wanted by the law, either dead or alive. Everyone calls him the desperado. As the story goes on the title starts getting relevant to the story and the climax comes.
The author, John H. Ritter writes a great book but tells to much and doesn’t show. On the other hand the author’s book is action packed and thrilling. Another book that John H. Ritter has written is The Boy who saves baseball which I still have not read.
Even after I read this boring book I recommend it to people who are big fans of the Wild West and baseball. All to gatherer I give this book 3 stars at max. Hope you read it and enjoy.
June 5, 2011
"In the very big inning...
The gruff and tumble founders of Dillontown, California, were a scrappy bunch. From fistfighting misfits and cattle rustlers to gold-digging drunkards and cardsharp hustlers. And that's just the women. The men were all that, plus they smelled bad."
It's 1881, and Jack Dillon, age 12 is determined to play baseball for his uncle, Long John Dillon and the Dillontown Nine... the best baseball team in the West. Long John has challenged the owner of the Chicago White Stockings baseball team to a match in Dillontown, with the prize of $10,000 in gold to the winner -- and the title of Champion Baseball Club of America. On the way out west, Jack meets and befriends "Bill Henry" -- aka the outlaw Billy The Kid, who also has potential as a ballplayer. Together, they bring an arsenal of new tricks and ideas to the Dillontown Nine, including Jack's newfangled suicide squeeze play and "HEW-TA": "Hit 'em where they ain't!" A rollicking old-west story of baseball, outlaws, inlaws, honor, and cheating, this is one of the most fun historical fiction-sports combinations I've seen yet. If you haven't read The Boy Who Saved Baseball, read it after this one, as this is a long-ago-and-far-away kind of prequel to that one. 6th grade and up.
The gruff and tumble founders of Dillontown, California, were a scrappy bunch. From fistfighting misfits and cattle rustlers to gold-digging drunkards and cardsharp hustlers. And that's just the women. The men were all that, plus they smelled bad."
It's 1881, and Jack Dillon, age 12 is determined to play baseball for his uncle, Long John Dillon and the Dillontown Nine... the best baseball team in the West. Long John has challenged the owner of the Chicago White Stockings baseball team to a match in Dillontown, with the prize of $10,000 in gold to the winner -- and the title of Champion Baseball Club of America. On the way out west, Jack meets and befriends "Bill Henry" -- aka the outlaw Billy The Kid, who also has potential as a ballplayer. Together, they bring an arsenal of new tricks and ideas to the Dillontown Nine, including Jack's newfangled suicide squeeze play and "HEW-TA": "Hit 'em where they ain't!" A rollicking old-west story of baseball, outlaws, inlaws, honor, and cheating, this is one of the most fun historical fiction-sports combinations I've seen yet. If you haven't read The Boy Who Saved Baseball, read it after this one, as this is a long-ago-and-far-away kind of prequel to that one. 6th grade and up.
October 2, 2012
First there was The Boy Who Saved Baseball, where the future of an entire town depended on the outcome of a single baseball game. Now there is the history of that town, where a baseball game determined not only the future of the town, but the future of baseball itself in The Desperado Who Saved Baseball (Puffin Books 2009). John H. Ritter tells a story that is part tall tale, part historical fiction, and all baseball.
Two unlikely characters meet up in the desert heading to the Wild West gold-mining town of Dillontown, California. Jack may be just twelve years old, but he has more baseball sense than most grownups. He is determined to lay claim to his long-lost uncle John Dillon and earn a spot on the Dillontwon baseball team. Billy is none other than a desperate outlaw, who wants to find a home and peace of mind.
Now John Dillon has invited the best teams from across the country to play in Dillontown. Now the National League Champions, the Chicago White Sox, are in town to play, and they will do anything to win. Not only is their honor at stake, but the entire Dillontown and its gold mine are up for the winner. Can a scrawny boy and a desperate outlaw team up to save themselves and a baseball town?
First published on my blog at http://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/?p=4589
Two unlikely characters meet up in the desert heading to the Wild West gold-mining town of Dillontown, California. Jack may be just twelve years old, but he has more baseball sense than most grownups. He is determined to lay claim to his long-lost uncle John Dillon and earn a spot on the Dillontwon baseball team. Billy is none other than a desperate outlaw, who wants to find a home and peace of mind.
Now John Dillon has invited the best teams from across the country to play in Dillontown. Now the National League Champions, the Chicago White Sox, are in town to play, and they will do anything to win. Not only is their honor at stake, but the entire Dillontown and its gold mine are up for the winner. Can a scrawny boy and a desperate outlaw team up to save themselves and a baseball town?
First published on my blog at http://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/?p=4589
September 14, 2016
While Jack Dillon is traveling to Dillontown to play baseball, and to meet his long lost uncle who's the manager of Dillontown's famous team, he meets up with Bill Henry. As they're traveling they run into a bit of trouble but make it to Dillontown. In accidents they lose two star players on their team so they have to do tryouts. Jack meets his uncle and persuades he and Bill make the team not being expected. In a game with the World Champions, the Dillontown Nine could lose their town or win it back and win the champion title.
Bill Henry changes a lot because at the beginning of the book he didn't like talking that much and absolutley didn't want to play baseball. He also was on the move and didn't want to settle down. At the end of the book he was nicer and softer on the outside instead of rough. He opened up a little more and wanted to settle down. He also was willing to play baseball with jack.
In this book I like how it helps you get to know the characters and what their like. This book also paints a really good picture in your mind espeically while the baseball games are going on. I didn't like how young jack was, I wish they make him a little bit older.
Bill Henry changes a lot because at the beginning of the book he didn't like talking that much and absolutley didn't want to play baseball. He also was on the move and didn't want to settle down. At the end of the book he was nicer and softer on the outside instead of rough. He opened up a little more and wanted to settle down. He also was willing to play baseball with jack.
In this book I like how it helps you get to know the characters and what their like. This book also paints a really good picture in your mind espeically while the baseball games are going on. I didn't like how young jack was, I wish they make him a little bit older.
October 7, 2014
The book The desperado who stole Baseball By John H. Ritter,1881 Dillon town California was built on a gold mine there town is not a normal town their tradition is baseball. Everybody would do anything to play even give up their gold like Jack Dillon said to a player " if I was playing you would be dead" just because he took his spot.
but yet they have never won the championship. this book brings back the old west to life again.
but yet they have never won the championship. this book brings back the old west to life again.
December 28, 2009
Historical fiction with baseball, guns, outlaws, racial prejudice, gold mines, humor, and even a little romance. Who could ask for more than that?
Jack is an orphan on his way to CA to find his uncle who has struck it rich in the gold mines and has founded a baseball team. On his way through the desert, Jack meets up with none other than Billy the Kid. They finish the trip together in time for a big baseball tournament with huge stakes just about to start.
A little bit too much with the baseball for me - but what can you expect from a book with a title like that? I liked how it tries to show that there are two sides to every story and not just make assumptions based on what you have heard.
Jack is an orphan on his way to CA to find his uncle who has struck it rich in the gold mines and has founded a baseball team. On his way through the desert, Jack meets up with none other than Billy the Kid. They finish the trip together in time for a big baseball tournament with huge stakes just about to start.
A little bit too much with the baseball for me - but what can you expect from a book with a title like that? I liked how it tries to show that there are two sides to every story and not just make assumptions based on what you have heard.
February 25, 2010
This book is different from any other baseball book that I've read. It is where baseball meets the Wild West. It was a bit slow to start, but very enjoyable for a true baseball lover. Billy the Kid is one of the main characters and takes in a young orphanded boy, Jack Dillon, who has hopes of playing in the big leagues in Dillontown, CA in 1881 for his uncle John Dillon. The ending is fit for a wild west showdown. This is the prequel to The Boy Who Saved Baseball. I listened to the audio version which was well read.
November 12, 2014
Oh! This book taught me some baseball, while giving a great plot to the story. I don't know that much about baseball, but this book does. I didn't like baseball that much, but now it’s one of my favorite sports. The writing was very effective to the readers emotions. Some of the strengths of this book are it has a wonderful plot. The weaknesses are it doesn't get your attention until the end of the book. I would recommend this book to a classmate because they will want to read some of the author’s other books. This book isn't part of a series, so I won't be continuing the series.
December 29, 2009
Another book on the middle school reading list. Ritter is known for young adult sports novels. This is a perfect fit for my sports-obsessed 12-year-old. It's the story of a young boy who gets caught up with an outlaw on his way to an old West baseball showdown between a misfit team of miners and the World Champion White Stockings. The story is packed with real baseball history and humor. It's a homerun.
September 12, 2010
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I would have read it in one sitting. While the dialogue gave the characters a lot of flavor, I was frequently confused about who was talking and its implication. (I read this aloud with my family) The author gave my wee little brain more credit than I could muster. Overall not a bad book.
September 11, 2010
Ok, I must admit that I only got through one disc of this book on cd and didn't care for it. It's set in the wild west w/ Billy the Kid and a random 12 yr old baseball playing orphan and there are some guys who are up to no good and want to fix a baseball game...? Maybe a kid who is interested in baseball and/or the old west would be interested in this book but it just confused me. :p
February 5, 2013
It took me a while to realize why the title was called its name. Then, on the last page of the book, it says "To steal the game of baseball from a multitude of ballplayers. The ban on African Americans in Major League Baseball denied millions of men, women, and children the joy of baseball at its finest." I also like how it has several Spanish words.
June 8, 2010
Some people might not believe this, but when I was in fifth grade, my teacher was John H. Ritter's wife. He was writing this book while I was in fifth grade and he brought in pieces of it and we helped edit a bit.
August 10, 2011
interesting story that mixes the "wild west" with baseball. Popular figures, such as Billy the Kid, are used, as well as real baseball terms/things, such as the Chicago White Stockings. This story would appeal more to boys, and a knowledge of baseball would help the reader.
new-2009
December 27, 2008Mar 5,2009
November 2, 2010
Amazing read aloud for my baseball-loving son. Used several parts to showcase different writing crafts.
Want to read
January 26, 2013Top Ten Westerns for Youth (Boolist)
April 12, 2013
It was a cute book!
June 4, 2015
Baseball and the West, what's not to like.
May 16, 2016
it was a good sports book and John H. Ritter writes good sports books
Read
January 9, 2016jack Dillon, unbeknowst to him, meets up with Billy the Kid on his way to Dillontown. His uncle has built the town's baseball team and is seeking national recognition for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews