Patrick: Adventures in Early Little League

Patrick is a ten-year-old living in in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the city where Little League began. He diligently throws baseballs at a target he chalked on a concrete wall to prepare for the coming Little League season. He has a strong arm and a good aim. His adventures put him in constant touch with grown-ups. He looks them in the eye when he talks to them. A famous ball player provides him some pitching tips, and he eagerly accepts the advice. His throwing not only comes in handy dealing with a bully, but also wins him the starting pitcher position in the regular Little League season. His pitching skills draw criticisms from the dads of the batters he continually strikes out. This leads to a meeting with the Little League Board. At the end of the regular season, the first National Little League Tournament, (later called the Little League World Series), is scheduled to start. As a successful pitcher in the regular season, Patrick fully expects to be picked for the team that will represent his league in the first Little League National Tournament. His regular season coach comes to his house with the news. The ups and downs in Patrick’s life from then on are a roller coaster ride, the best of days and the worst of days. Whether up or down, Patrick approaches life with honesty, courage, team loyalty, and quick wits. Life for him is an unrelenting adventure.