Strike Three!

Chip Hilton #3

by Clair Bee, Cynthia Bee Farley, Randall K. Farley

When Chip Hilton learns the reason for the animosity shown him by two other members of the baseball team, he finds a way to overcome the problem.

Genres: Sports, Fiction, Baseball, Young Adult, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third book of the long-running Chip Hilton series, Chip and his pals and teammates and mother, not to mention The Rock, Coach Rockwell, welcome baseball season. Chip, whose father has been killed in an accident prior to the start of the series, is the star catcher, having finally recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in the recently completed football season (in book one), which forced him to assume the role of basketball team manager (in book two). Bee's main concern was always in demonstrating the importance of humility, working together, getting along, and treating other people well. There's no religious content in this initial 1949 edition, but demonstrating strong moral character is the main message. The concepts and trappings may seem quite dated now, but I think it's still a nice, uplifting kids' story. Bee was a long-time coach, and fans can still learn lot about the fundamentals of baseball the way it used to be played.

[James Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright so...technically this is a children's book, but you know what? I don't really care - I find much pleasure and joy in reading these Chip Hilton books. Of course, part of the reason is probably because of how I discovered these books. Where did I get my current copies of the Chip Hilton books I have? Well...these are the books my dad had when he was a boy! I remember him telling me how he loved these sports books...and then a few years back, he brought these books back from his childhood home and I have hung on to them since. So this book - published in 1949 - is one that I love reading partly because I know Dad loved reading!! I do have to be a little careful with it since it's delicate and almost falling apart. Old books, y'know? Anyways! This book had no deep themes or complicated plot. It's just a boy and his friends trying to win a high school baseball championship. Of course there's drama here and there, but why do I like reading these books? They showcase and promote honor, integrity and hard work...and I can never be too reminded of the importance of those virtues. I like books that have decency and kindness in them. And also? I love baseball, so it is really fun to read about baseball according to the wisdom of 1949...Bee gets quite technical at times about the right strategies in different situations and as one who never really played baseball, I really enjoyed these details. Baseball is such a gloriously romantic sport.

[Steve Rutherford]

Have PC

[Donald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this series as a boy but my cynicism keeps me from loving them.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best writers of juvenile sports fiction succeeds once again. In this book serial sports star Chip Hilton is in high school and the baseball team has a problem. They have only two pitchers but both are left-handed and one throws only slow stuff while the other has a major attitude problem. Chip is the veteran catcher that knows how to play the game, but the pitcher with the problem refuses to cooperate, often throwing the wrong pitch.
Chip goes out of his way in trying to solve the problem, but gets nowhere. Eventually, Coach Rockwell learns the truth and the problem pitcher is booted off the team. Chip has been working out with Soapy as catcher, so he is pressed into service as a pitcher and pitches the team into the state championship tournament.
There is a deep social undercurrent to this book, the proverbial one side of town versus the other side of town. Much of the attitude problem is a consequence of growing up in a tough neighborhood and having to fight for your rights against others.
There is a main weakness in the book. The problem is that it takes so long for Coach Rockwell to learn why Chip is suddenly so weak a catcher that he commits several passed balls. Experienced baseball men can spot problems like the pitcher crossing up the catcher from the dugout and Coach Rockwell is one of the best.
Overall, this is a book that remains exciting while being dated. Written in 1949, there are a few points that retain the thought processes of that era. To some, that makes it unworthy, but for others it is the charm of nostalgia.

[Rich Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up, looking for a good baseball book to put on my 9-year-old son's "reading challenge" list over Christmas break this year. I had read several other YA baseball books, discouraged by all of them (boring plots, inappropriate language or themes, etc.). This re-write of Clair Bee's old sports book series, however, was a pleasant surprise. The plot was gripping and the ending was unexpected (at least the way the ending came about, that is). This is a book about kids playing baseball -- but, more than that, it is a book about kids (and some adults) learning some valuable lessons. Perhaps Chip is a bit of a goody two-shoes in places, but for adolescents, it's good to see a character struggling to do the right thing even when it's not popular with others (or even himself!) I will definitely plan to check out others in the series. The book does demand a little knowledge of how baseball is played in order to be understood at times -- so my 9-year-old Cubs fan will eat it up -- but I suspect the volumes about football and basketball won't work for him at present. Fortunately, there are plenty of baseball-themed books in this series to hold him for a while.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 Reread
Enjoyed this story again.

2019
This delightful story is the 3rd in the Chip Hilton series and focuses on Chip and his high school baseball team.
I love the feeling of the town, Chips friends, and his coach. Chip works hard at what he does, thinks over his problems carefully, and isn’t afraid to go to adults for advice. I really appreciate the fact that Chip is willing to do everything he can to make things right even if the problem isn’t his fault. He has his problems and isn’t perfect, but he stands up for what is right even if it isn’t popular and is willing to forgive.
The ball games are fun read about even if you don’t know a whole lot about the game.

Though this isn’t a Christian book, it is clean and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Michael Goldfuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this being the first book that I read of the Chip Hilton series, and it blew me away. This is exactly what I needed as a 13 year old kid. The character really helped me in game situations in my following high school years. Great book! Great series!

[Cws]

JAR5-Bee

[Ronald]

read in summer of 1966