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Fred Bowen Sports Story Series
Dugout Rivals
For Jake, there is only one thing he loves more than playing shortstop for his team, and that's winning.
So when newcomer Adam joins the team, Jake is excited to see that this guy can do it all—pitch, hit, field! But as their team racks up win after win, Adam's talents dominate every game and Jake can't help but wonder: Do he or the other players even matter? Or will he learn that even the best players must rely on their teammates?
This action-packed story of teamwork and friendship was inspired by Babe Ruth and the 1927 Yankees, the group that many have called "The Greatest Team of All Time."
So when newcomer Adam joins the team, Jake is excited to see that this guy can do it all—pitch, hit, field! But as their team racks up win after win, Adam's talents dominate every game and Jake can't help but wonder: Do he or the other players even matter? Or will he learn that even the best players must rely on their teammates?
This action-packed story of teamwork and friendship was inspired by Babe Ruth and the 1927 Yankees, the group that many have called "The Greatest Team of All Time."
- GenresSports
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Fred Bowen
58 books26 followersFred Bowen is the author of Peachtree’s popular Fred Bowen Sports Story and All-Star Sport Story series. A lifelong sports fanatic, he has coached youth league baseball, basketball, and soccer. His kids’ sports column “The Score” appears each week in the KidsPost section of the Washington Post. Bowen lives in Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 1, 2020
The author has written an entire series of books in adolescent sports fiction that cover many different sports. As the title implies, this one is about baseball. Jake Daley loves playing baseball and after a few seasons where his playing chances were limited, he anticipates being a regular and a star in the upcoming season. His team is the Red Sox and the team is in the Woodside Baseball League. His position is shortstop and he practices and plays hard.
The tryouts for new players are taking place before the season starts and one new player quickly catches Jake’s eye. His name is Adam and he is a complete player, superior to Jake in all aspects of the game, running, hitting, fielding and pitching. Adam is their best pitcher, but due to league rules that limit mound time, Adam often plays shortstop while Jake is shifted to second base.
This leads to a lot of resentment on the part of Jake and he must work through it, for Adam does not flaunt his superior skills and is always friendly. While Jake’s parents are together, Adam’s are divorced and apparently in a state of constant acrimony, which helps Jake gain some empathy for Adam, helping him to cope with his feelings. There is a big game at the end where Jake comes to understand that it takes a team to win.
This is a good story about the life and emotions of an adolescent, where sports are important but where the other aspects of life are also highlighted. It is very modern, in that the left fielder’s name is Hannah and one of the featured players has divorced parents.
The tryouts for new players are taking place before the season starts and one new player quickly catches Jake’s eye. His name is Adam and he is a complete player, superior to Jake in all aspects of the game, running, hitting, fielding and pitching. Adam is their best pitcher, but due to league rules that limit mound time, Adam often plays shortstop while Jake is shifted to second base.
This leads to a lot of resentment on the part of Jake and he must work through it, for Adam does not flaunt his superior skills and is always friendly. While Jake’s parents are together, Adam’s are divorced and apparently in a state of constant acrimony, which helps Jake gain some empathy for Adam, helping him to cope with his feelings. There is a big game at the end where Jake comes to understand that it takes a team to win.
This is a good story about the life and emotions of an adolescent, where sports are important but where the other aspects of life are also highlighted. It is very modern, in that the left fielder’s name is Hannah and one of the featured players has divorced parents.
February 22, 2019
Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G
Jake plans on being the starting shortstop this season, and has a good shot of doing it too--before Adam shows up. Adam is good at hitting, pitching, catching, running, everything--including being a good shortstop. Jake goes along with it and keeps practicing, but he gets tired of everything being about Adam. But can he see that no one--even Adam--can be a one-man team?
Teamwork is important--in sports especially--and this book really shows that. No one can be a one-man team, not even the world's best players. I enjoyed the short story and found myself cheering them on out loud! I was very surprised at myself for liking this book so much because sports aren't really my thing, but I loved it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Jake plans on being the starting shortstop this season, and has a good shot of doing it too--before Adam shows up. Adam is good at hitting, pitching, catching, running, everything--including being a good shortstop. Jake goes along with it and keeps practicing, but he gets tired of everything being about Adam. But can he see that no one--even Adam--can be a one-man team?
Teamwork is important--in sports especially--and this book really shows that. No one can be a one-man team, not even the world's best players. I enjoyed the short story and found myself cheering them on out loud! I was very surprised at myself for liking this book so much because sports aren't really my thing, but I loved it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
January 29, 2013
Plot Summary:Jake is the star player on his baseball team, but when a new kid joins the team and outshines Jake and takes his spot at shortstop Jake doesn't like Adam very much. They start winning games and Jake must learn to like Adam and not ruin his season. Jake learns that one person can't win all the games by themself and so he hangs out with Adam more and they become good friends.
Main Characters: Jake: good at baseball Adam:New kid better at baseball Than the rest of Jake's team
Key Issues: Adam is so good that the rest of the team doesn't really have to try.
Other Interesting Info: Adam's mom says that they have to move already, but they end up staying and they all live happily ever after!
Main Characters: Jake: good at baseball Adam:New kid better at baseball Than the rest of Jake's team
Key Issues: Adam is so good that the rest of the team doesn't really have to try.
Other Interesting Info: Adam's mom says that they have to move already, but they end up staying and they all live happily ever after!
Read
August 9, 2011Another good sports book for grades 3-6. Fred Bowen creates likeable characters. He addresses what happens when the new kid on the team seems to be able to do it all - can friendship survive "that's my position." I like when the kids figure and reason out situations - should I try harder or just give up because he is so much better. Yes, I recommend this book - move over wimpy kid and learn a thing or two from Jake.
February 24, 2012
I am reading this to preview for Mark. We tried another sports book by Matt Christopher, but it was disturbing at the beginning as the main character, a young boy, accpets a ride from a stranger and is kidnapped. Not a good storyline. So, I am back to previewing all books. Exhausting. :)
ARGH!! Another book that is simply not acceptable for him. This is getting frustrating. Hopefully we will be able to find some better ones.
ARGH!! Another book that is simply not acceptable for him. This is getting frustrating. Hopefully we will be able to find some better ones.
April 8, 2010
Jake was the superstar of his Baseball Team until Adam moved to town. Now Jake needs to figure out where he belongs on the field with the new compatition.
A quick read with not a lot of plot, but a lot of baseball. For the boy reading below grade level.
A quick read with not a lot of plot, but a lot of baseball. For the boy reading below grade level.
Want to read
May 28, 2012BL: 3.8 - AR Pts: 3.0
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews