Hard Ball

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this third novel (after "Striking Out" and "Farm Team") starring Billy Baggs, the farmboy with a mean fast pitch, sparks start flying on and off the diamond when the hero locks horns with archenemy and rival ballplayer Archer "King" Kenwood. Billy has the edge during heated games against the Town Team, but victories are less certain in the romance field, with pretty Suzy Langen making plays for both boys' attention. When squabbles over Suzy turn physical, Coach Anderson puts a lid on the action by forcing Billy and King to trade lifestyles for a while. For half a week, King bunks with Billy on the Baggses farm; then it is Billy's turn to try out town life at the Kenwoods' posh house. Although the boys are not destined to become bosom buddies, they do share one serious problem: hard-nosed, close-minded fathers who try to run their lives. The stereotyped casting of rednecked farmers and uppity townsfolk compromises the book's otherwise wide appeal. Similarly, the narrative is marred by strained rural references, especially with regard to the female characters: "Compared to Suzy Langen, as tall and graceful as a show cat, the Erickson girls were scrappy, barn cats.... His eyes were welded to Gina like it was a hot Fourth of July and she was a double-scoop ice-cream cone." Ultimately, the author's portrayal of town/country rivalry is as broadly and unconvincingly sketched as legends surrounding Billy's "rocket-launcher" of an arm.

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Billy Baggs takes on his arch-rival, King Kenwood, and tackles inner issues that pose an even greater threat to both boys. This is the third book in the series about the baseball star Billy Baggs. It is another powerful story.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Billy Bagg and his family are again featured in this new story. Billy and his archrival King are vying for the same girl and it leads to a fight. But there is more to this story, as readers learn more about the two families, the difficult father-son relationships, and a somewhat artificial solution to the relationships between the boys and in turn with their respective fathers. The rich boy's mother is an alcoholic, the father is driven to make his son a sports star. In contrast, the farm boy's father is taciturn and quick-tempered and his mother is almost too good to be true. Its a quick read and it will appeal to boys and girls, but the plot devices and formula characters do not leave a lasting impression.

School Library Journal

"Hard Ball" can stand on its own, although it's bound to be most popular with readers of "Farm Team" (1995) and "Striking Out" (1993, both HarperCollins). It's August as Billy Baggs steams into the final game of the 1971 summer season. His farm teammates, the skinny-dipping Erickson girls, are as sassy and saucy as ever. Suzy Langen, who has been coming to the games all summer, is too perfectly beautiful for words, but willing to take some risks. And King Kenwood, the privileged star pitcher for the town team, is competitive, hostile, and determined to keep his eye on her. Billy, yanked from the game in the third inning, accompanies Suzy to the loft of the barn, where they tentatively make out. King surprises them and he and Billy explode into a fight. An old farmer dismissively comments, "Just a couple of young bucks locking horns over a doe." Their school's baseball coach, who can see his spring season going down the tubes, takes the fight a bit more seriously. He negotiates a deal with the respective parents to have each boy stay half the week at the other's house. Predictably, they begin to see and understand one another, but the process is largely believable and satisfying. The action moves quickly and the characters are worth knowing. Engaging language is occasionally lyrical. There are loose ends enough to guarantee a sequel, which, like spring baseball, is something to look forward to. Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Jr. High School, Iowa City, IA