The Grip - Marcus Stroman

In this first book in the semi-autobiographical middle grade series from MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman, a young baseball player learns that perfect games only come with a lot of practice--and some strikeouts.

Young Marcus Stroman is determined to make it to the highest playing level he can, despite every coach telling him he's not tall enough to become a "real" pitcher. He'll show them...with some struggling and a whole lot of learning.

It's easy to forget that for every professional sports player there was a kid just learning that sport, dealing with nerves during try-outs, dropping the ball when all their teammates are counting on them, and learning how to stay friends with someone who doesn't make the team. These hard lessons are universal whether in the majors or on a school playing field, and so are teamwork, competition, and believing in yourself.