
By Richard Michelson, Zachary Pullen (Illustrator)
A young boy defies expectations to pursue his passion for baseball in 1850s America.
In 1850s Brooklyn, young Lipman Pike dreams of baseball, not his family's haberdashery. Despite his mother's disapproval, Lip's talent shines when he joins the Nationals Junior Club. His first powerful hit marks the beginning of his journey in a sport just gaining momentum across America. Will Lip's passion for the game overcome societal expectations and family pressures? Discover the rise of one of baseball's earliest champions in this captivating tale of ambition and perseverance.
In the mid 1800s the sport of baseball was working its way across the United States. Amateur teams were springing up and in 1858 the National Association of Base Ball Players was formed. Young men were eager to show their prowess on the field and in the batter’s box.
Lipman Pike’s father, a Dutch immigrant, runs a small haberdashery in Brooklyn, New York, though Lip is more interested in watching the ball players than working behind the counter. His mother doesn’t approve— Jewish boys should be paying attention to more sensible matters.
But when Lip is barely a teenager, he’s invited to join a local club. When he hits his first pitch over the right fielder’s head, Lip knows baseball is the sport for him.
Award-winning author Richard Michelson chronicles the meteoric rise of one of baseball’s earliest (and unsung) champions.
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