The Boy Who Saved Baseball – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2005

78%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A scrappy team, a mysterious hitting guru, and one game to save their hometown field—baseball with heart.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

book

2005

78%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A scrappy team, a mysterious hitting guru, and one game to save their hometown field—baseball with heart.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a solid, wholesome middle-grade sports novel with heart. Tom's quest to save Dillontown's baseball field hits all the right notes—teamwork, mentorship, mystery, and underdog determination. The mysterious Cruz and the legendary Del Gato add intrigue beyond just the game itself.

That said, this is squarely for kids who already like baseball. If your kid thinks sports are boring, this won't change their mind. And while it's well-written, it's from 2005 and may feel a bit slower-paced compared to modern middle-grade books that zip along with more action.

Still, if you've got a kid who loves sports stories, this is a great pick. It's safe, enriching, and teaches perseverance without being preachy. Just know what you're getting: an earnest, community-focused underdog story that's more Field of Dreams than Fast and Furious.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-13, especially kids who already enjoy sports stories or baseball. The themes of community and perseverance are accessible to younger readers, but it's most engaging for middle-graders who can appreciate the underdog stakes and mentorship dynamics.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A story centered on teamwork, community preservation, and mentorship. Tom faces adversity with determination, and the mysterious Cruz de la Cruz brings wisdom about baseball and life. Models cooperation, perseverance, and respect for tradition without being preachy. The tone is earnest and uplifting—kids working together to save something they love.

Imaginative

The premise has a touch of magical realism—a mysterious boy riding into town with secrets about hitting and a legendary player who walked away from the game. It's imaginative in its setup and the way it weaves baseball lore with small-town stakes. However, it's still fundamentally a realistic sports story, not a fantasy adventure. Invites kids to think about legacy, skill, and what makes a game meaningful.

Safe

This is a middle-grade sports novel with zero red flags. No violence, no mature themes, no unexpected trauma. The stakes are a baseball game and a field, not life-or-death drama. The author (John H. Ritter) is known for thoughtful, age-appropriate children's literature. Completely safe for independent reading.

Enriching

Explores themes of community, perseverance, mentorship, and the spirit of the game beyond just winning. Tom learns about leadership and what it means to fight for something bigger than himself. The mystery of Del Gato and Cruz adds layers about legacy and learning from the past. It's a solid character-building story that teaches grit and teamwork through baseball. Not groundbreaking, but meaningful.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates teamwork, community, and fighting for what matters—without being saccharine about it
The mystery of Cruz de la Cruz and the legendary Del Gato adds intrigue beyond just the game itself
Perfect for kids who love sports stories with underdog stakes and mentorship themes
John H. Ritter is a respected middle-grade author known for thoughtful, character-driven stories
Teaches perseverance and the idea that sports are about more than just winning

⚠

What to Watch For

This is really for kids who already like baseball—if your kid finds the sport boring, this won't convert them
Published in 2005, so some references and pacing may feel a bit slower compared to modern middle-grade novels
It's earnest and wholesome, which some kids might find too 'nice' if they prefer edgier stories

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Del Gato walked away from baseball? What would make someone give up something they loved?"
"If you had to save something important in your community, what would it be and how would you do it?"
"Cruz says he knows the 'secret of hitting'—what do you think that secret is? Is it just about baseball?"
"Tom feels a lot of pressure to save the field. Have you ever felt responsible for something bigger than yourself?"

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