Rivals

Rivals is written by Tim Green. This book is fiction and its theme is cheater never win. This book takes place in the present day. Most of the story takes place in a tournament in the city of Cooperstown.

Josh is a six-foot, twelve-year-old kid, who can hit homeruns against any pitcher. Josh and his baseball team, the Titans, have to win their last game to be eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame Little League Tournament. This tournament would give Major League scouts a chance to watch Josh play baseball. Getting a Major League contract was important so he could help his family's money problems. In the game that decided which team would be able to go to the tournament the score was very close. Josh steps up to the plate. If he can hit a homerun his team, the Titans, will win. The whole time as I read I wondered what was going to happen. The ball was pitched and it flew towards Josh and hits him in the face. When pitchers are afraid of giving up a big hit, sometimes they will throw at a player's head to make them move back. This is called a bean ball, it is considered the biggest cheap shot in baseball. Josh is offered to take his base but instead he wants to hit the ball even though his eye is so swollen that he can't even see. Josh drills a homerun for the win.

Before the tournament Jaden, Josh's best friend becomes obsessed with a player on one of the other teams named Mickey Mullen Jr. Mickey is the pitcher for the Comets, the team that is expected to get first place in the tourney. When they get to the tourney, Josh's team starts winning a lot of games. Josh is having a lot of success hitting homeruns for his team. Meanwhile the L.A. Comets are winning also. As Josh watches games it seems as if Mickey has a bigger strike zone than the other pitchers. Josh soon discovers that Mickey's rich dad is paying off the umpire. To Josh's frustration he has to play the Comets in the championship game. Josh has to prove to the tournament that the Comets are cheating before the Titans have to play them.

I really enjoyed this book because it has a lot of sports and action. I think it was cool that this book takes place in Cooperstown. It talks about Josh going to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. The author paints a good picture of what the Baseball Hall of Fame is like and I could visualize myself being there. I agree with the author that cheaters never win.

I rate this book an A, it is very exciting and it features sports which is my favorite thing in the world. This book made me realize the importantance of honesty.