July 1, 1996
Gr 3-5-The pitching style of Truett "Rip" Sewell, a Pittsburgh Pirate in the 1940s, serves as factual background for this easy-to-read modern-day story. T.J., who is smaller than his Little League teammates but a competent second baseman, wants more than anything to be a pitcher. Even though he practices regularly, the boy's fast balls lack the power needed to strike out batters. His grandfather tells him about Rip Sewell's famous "eephus" pitch, which T.J. emulates successfully and helps his team win the championship. Bowen describes play-by-play action in a style similar to that of Matt Christopher, but by interweaving baseball history into the plot, the author distinguishes this story from typical sports-series fare. Pen-and-ink drawings are sprinkled throughout; however, the kids, who are supposed to be 12, look much younger on some pages, and like miniature adults on others. A brief biography of Sewell is appended to the final chapter.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA