Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars Out at Home

Mickey Labriogla is the best catcher in the league Hes got a cannon for an arm calls a great game and blocks the plate like a bulldozer with shin guards But when a hotshot new pitcher joins the Dulaney Orioles Mickey wonders if it isnt time to find another position--or maybe another teamZooms the most arrogant player the Orioles have ever seen But even Coach Labriogla Mickeys dad seems in awe of the kids talent and willing to overlook his insufferable behavior When Mickey and Zoom find themselves rivals for the attention of the mysterious Abby Elliott who works the concession stand any chance the two teammates can get along goes out the window As the Orioles head to a seemingly-inevitable showdown in the new Super-Regional against Zooms old team the powerful Laurel Yankees the clash between Mickey and Zoom threatens to break the team apart--and derail a championship seasonPraise for Hothead just the ticket for readers whove worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Pe a and Carl Deuker --Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books Written with Ripkens obvious knowledge of the game Conors story rings true with plenty of good baseball action If Conors not always in good spirits the novel is with likable characters lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conors case at Camden Yards Ripken and Cowherd like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles make a winning team --Kirkus Reviews.