Raymond Uyehara

Dr. Warner

English 112b/4:00

May 2, 2006

America�s National Pastime

Growing up I was never a big fan of reading books because I found it tedious and boring. I would rather be out front shooting hoops or at the park throwing the ball around. However, when I had to read, I always chose a book related to something I had interests in. I would love to learn more about my favorite athlete or the history of the sport I played. This is why I feel it is important that there are sports fiction books available to young adults who have a passion for the sport they play.

The main focus of this annotated bibliography will be on the sport of baseball since it is considered to be �America�s National Pastime.� Baseball can be traced back to the early 1800�s and by 1860�s was already unrivaled in popularity. Today, it still remains popular amongst young adults and often times coincides other life changing events in their lives. However, to many it is much more than a sport, but a symbol of freedom. Baseball is partly responsible for breaking the color barriers when Jackie Robinson was allowed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. �Robinson lit the torch and passed it on to several generations of African-American athletes. While the Brooklyn Dodgers infielder didn't make a nation color blind, he at least made it more color friendly� (http://espn.go.com/sportscentury.html). It is important for young adults to understand that baseball is not just a game played around the world. It has helped bring people of all different makes together to drop personal beliefs and focus on the game instead.

Annotated Bibliography

Angelis, Gina De. Jackie Robinson: Baseball Legend. New York: Chelsea House Publication, 2000

This biography follows the life of Jackie Robinson as a youth growing up towards his adult life in the major leagues. The unique thing about this book is that it is written more for a young adult audience so there is not much detail about facts. The book discusses how Robinson handled the adversity towards him and the struggles he faced being an African American in the major leagues. Robinson comes across to the reader as real, justifiably angry, and determined to make a difference.

Bennett, James. Plunking Reggie Jackson. New York: Simon & Schuster Books, 2001.

In his senior year, Coley Burke is on top of it all, a baseball star courted by the major league scouts for his pitching arm, with his choice of college scholarships and pretty girls. He chooses red-haired Bree, who has a reputation for being hot. Their relationship mystifies him: Bree is sexually aggressive all right, but she retreats angrily whenever Coley asks questions about her family. Coley has family troubles of his own--a father who criticizes every detail of Coley's pitching and constantly holds up the example of his older brother, Patrick, now four years dead. For Coley, his relationship with his wild and athletic brother is symbolized by the metal statue of Reggie Jackson in their backyard and the gonging sound it made when the two of them used it for surreptitious target practice. But Coley is flunking English, he's injured his ankle and can't play, and when Bree tells him she's pregnant, he sees his career in the big leagues swirling down the drain if he can't solve his problems.

(Taken from www.amazon.com)

Carter, Alden R. Bull Catcher. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997. 

Bull Catcher is a book that deals with the love of baseball, among other things. The main character, Bull Larsen, starts out as a high school student and grows up in Shipley, a small town in the U.S. and eventually graduates from high school by the end of the book. The book starts off with Bull and his best friend, Jeff, finds out about a new Asian student that looks like a suitable pitcher for their summer team. So begins the fight with Phuong (the new pitcher), as he does not want to lose focus in school just for some �stupid little game.� It takes the boys a while to convince the pitcher to play baseball, and Bull and his boy finally win the battle. Bull is a catcher and Phuong is a pitcher, so he starts training him for the strenuous high school baseball program.

(Taken from http://www.greenwichschools.org/ems/bookclub/carterOL/)

Crutcher, Chris. The Crazy Horse Electric Game. New York: Dell Publishing, 1987.

Willie Weaver is a teenage legend in his Montana hometown --- the baseball genius who single-handedly secures his team's victory against the batting boys sponsored by Crazy Horse Electric. He is a hero, an all-star, a wonder boy...until a boating accident leaves him bloodstained, crippled, and robbed of his dreams. Weaver lands on the mean streets of Oakland, California and finds his challenges have only just begun. After enrolling in classes at an inner-city alternative school, Weaver begins to see himself through new eyes. The stories of his fellow students help him realize how narrow his perspective on "weakness" has always been. His teachers help him see how the truth will broaden his reach and eventually offer him hope.

Gaetz, Dayle Campbell. No Problem. Victoria, B.C.: Orca Book Publishers, 2003

Curt turns to painkillers in order to solve his sore shoulder problems. After involvement with an older woman he is quickly led down the wrong path towards an addiction to cocaine. Everything he cared about in the past such as school, baseball, and job are given up for this new addiction. Curt is faced with different moral dilemmas which give the reader something to discuss.

Jenkins, A.M. Out of Order. New York: HarperCollins Publishing, 2003

In his sophomore year at his Texas high school, Colt Trammel feels that he's reached the top. After all, he's a baseball star and a leading jock, and he's part of the school's elite social group. Not that there aren't problems: Colt hates school (thanks largely to an undiagnosed learning disability), and his grades are so bad that his sports eligibility is in danger. Added to the mix are problems with his beautiful and brainy girlfriend, who stays rather prim during their make-out sessions. When a girl with green hair transfers to his high school, Colt is disconcerted by the fact that he finds her interesting when the school social code dictates that he should ignore her. Corrine ends up tutoring Colt in English and by the end of the novel they've formed an unlikely friendship. She manages to see that Colt is a good guy underneath his aggressive surface, and he comes to respect her independent spirit. The best part of this novel is the portrait of Colt. Every part rings true, from his rough language and obsession with sex to his need to act cool at all costs.

(Taken from www.amazon.com)

Johnson, Scott. Safe at Second. New York: Philomel Books, 1999.

Todd Bannister has a bright future in baseball ahead of him. Todd has a fastball that has earned him many trophies and has caught the attention of college and professional scouts. Todd�s life is good, especially with friends such as Melissa (girlfriend) and Paulie (number one fan). All of a sudden, during a game, a line drive off the bat hits Todd in the face, resulting in a damaged eye that is replaced with a glass eye. Paulie�s obsession with now taking care of Todd restricts him (Paulie) from planning his own life. However, Paulie is convinced that Todd�s baseball skills can become as they were before the accident, as long as Todd keeps on practicing. Todd�s acceptance of his disability is also chronicled by Paulie.

(Taken from Jeff Hisaoka, English 112B, November 30, 2005)

Lynch, Chris. Gold Dust. New York: HarperCollins Publishing, 2002

The year is 1975 and that's single-minded Richard Riley Moncrief talking, a Boston seventh grader too focused on his one true love--baseball, especially the Red Sox--to even contemplate that anything else in the universe might have significance. That endearing, maniacal obsession equips Richard with all the philosophy and metaphor he needs to navigate the insular world of St. Colmcille's parochial school, his working-class neighborhood, and all the baseball-related holy sites (the Northeastern U. batting cages, Fenway Park) in between. That is, until busing begins in Boston, racial tensions rise, and a polished, young Dominican �migr� named Napoleon Charlie Ellis enrolls at St. Colmcille's.

The other major event in Richard's life is the arrival of touted rookies Fred Lynn and Jim Rice--the Gold Dust Twins--to the Sox roster. Not long after the two boys find themselves magnetically drawn together, Richard cooks up a new obsession: he will reform this cricket player, and the two of them will fulfill their destiny as the next Gold Dust Twins.

(Taken from http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0613670892/702-8774822-0944002)

Peck, Robert Newton. Extra Innings. New York: HarperCollins Publishing, 2001

After a tragic airplane crash that claims the lives of most of his family, sixteen-year-old Tate goes to live with his wealthy great grandfather and his adopted Black great aunt.] Vidalia. Tate is bitter and angry at the world for taking his family away and for ruining his dreams of playing pro baseball. Wanting to help her nephew, Aunt Viddy tells him about her time spent with Ethiopia�s Clowns, a baseball team that traveled during the Depression.

Rallison, Janette. Playing the Field. New York: Walker and Company, 2004

A thirteen-year old boy named McKay has to improve his algebra grade or he will be forced to quit the baseball team. His best friend Tony thinks that the solution to the problem is to make friends with a girl named Serena who is intelligent and good looking. Furthermore, if McKay can become close to Serena then Tony can get in close with her best friends. The plan works well with McKay�s grades improving, but Serena finally uncovers the plan. After her friends began to despise Tony, McKay becomes further distant from Serena. He begins to have feelings for her and takes no satisfaction taking all the credit for the effort without being able to enjoy it with Serena.