Rise of the Underdog

A Baseball Adventure for Young Athletes: First Steps on the Sandlot

De: Chad Metcalf, Kristi Metcalf

Narrado por: Chad Metcalf

Every single swing counts…especially the strikes!

Hi! My name is Lucas Anderson, and moving to Pinewood was a big change for me—not the good kind either. Everything seemed to be going wrong…until I discovered baseball.

The game brought new challenges, but I wasn’t alone. Dad, a former Navy SEAL, taught me to be brave and keep trying no matter what. And Mom (a genius) was always there, teaching me tricks to level up.

Thanks to them, my cool cousin Kevin, and awesome new friends I made on the team, I started to think that maybe, just maybe, I could do something great with my life. But Pete, the biggest bully ever, would pitch me some serious problems…

©2024 Chad Metcalf and Kristi Metcalf (P)2024 Chad Metcalf and Kristi Metcalf

Super Fun

This is such a fun read. It’s so relatable to everyone that has been a kid. We have all experienced change, insecurities, and trying to figure out who we are and where we fit. This book teaches life lessons to kids through the game of baseball. The lessons taught about facing your fear and not giving up are valuable at any age. Its an uplifting book.

Perfect For Young Athletes

As a parent of a young baseball player, I found this book to be both engaging and motivating. It captures the excitement and challenges of starting out on the field in a way my child could really connect with. The story’s positive message about perseverance and teamwork felt relatable and encouraging. My son couldn’t stop listening and has been even more excited about his practices ever since! A great read for any young athlete.

A very endearing story

The author's creativity shines throughout the story of how Lucas finds his path through baseball. It's a great book for young athletes who are learning about the challenges of not being perfect, pleasing others, and resisting bullying. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life, and the story was packed with lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and believing in yourself. Lucas faced challenges and grew both on and off the field, and the author presented the challenges and resolutions at a level appropriate for young reader comprehension.

An Enjoyable and Motivating Read for Young Athlete

I got this for my nephew as he’s just starting to learn baseball, and we both really enjoyed it! The story does a great job of showing what it’s like to be the "new kid" and trying to fit in, especially when things feel tough at first. He could really connect with the main character’s journey—struggling with confidence, making friends, and discovering that baseball is more than just a game. It’s filled with heart, humor, and valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and standing up for yourself. Definitely worth reading!

Heartwarming!

This audiobook is an uplifting story about overcoming challenges and finding confidence through family, friends, and a new love for baseball. I enjoyed how the main character learns from his dad’s bravery and his mom’s wisdom while making great new friends on his team. Even when faced with a bully, he starts to believe in himself and what he can achieve. It’s a great reminder of how support and persistence can help you grow. A relatable and inspiring listen for all ages!

A Great Book for Kids

This is a refreshing book to listen to, making it perfect for spending time with kids. It introduces valuable lessons on patience, determination, and a love for sports, even when faced with being an underdog. It’s a wonderful way to teach children the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive mindset in order to reach their goals. Both motivating and inspiring, I highly recommend this book to parents with young kids!

Rise of the underdog

The thrilling, difficult, and supportive tale of young athletes taking their first steps onto a baseball field is beautifully captured in Rise of the Underdog. Particularly for individuals who might believe they lack the innate skill or confidence of others, the book expertly captures the feelings of victory and difficulty that come with learning a new sport.

The underdog theme of this novel, which demonstrates how tenacity, diligence, and teamwork can frequently triumph over natural aptitude, is what sets it apart. Young athletes who have the will to excel but may feel defeated or ignored should read it. Readers will feel as though they are actually at the baseball game because of the realistic characters and exciting activity.

The book is not simply a sports narrative but also a manual for human development since it deftly incorporates important life lessons like perseverance, collaboration, and self-belief. Young readers will find encouragement in the main character's journey, and parents and coaches will value the positive lessons.

Rise of the Underdog is an excellent read for any young athlete or fan of a great underdog tale. It's inspirational, enjoyable, and full of baseball delights.

Perfect Gift for Young Readers!

I got "Rise of the Underdog" for my son, and he absolutely loved it! The story of Lucas discovering baseball and learning life lessons through the support of his family and friends really resonated with him. It’s a great mix of sports, friendship, and overcoming challenges, and I loved seeing my son so engaged with a book that teaches perseverance and confidence. Highly recommend for any young reader!

A truly relatable story

I got this book for my son, who has struggled with low self-esteem due to his height. The story told from Lucas' perspective as the underdog beautifully captures the challenges he faced with a big move and his fears about playing baseball. What really stood out to me was the father's words of encouragement in chapters 8 & 9, reminding Lucas not to give up and to keep going. For my son, those words were powerful—he realized that he can overcome difficult things if he just doesn’t quit (his words). "Don’t let the opinions of others pull you down." and the message about learning from mistakes is invaluable.

This is a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it to any parent looking for an inspiring story to encourage their kids to keep going and never give up.

Sports Are Amazing

I feel like this is a story everyone can relate to somehow. It takes you along on a journey with a child moving to a new place and finding where he fits in, and baseball was just the thing for him. It didn't come easy, but with the help of his parents and cousins, he pushed through to make the team and learn what teamwork is all about. Being part of a team-taught him many skills, from resistance to character to working together using our strengths and weaknesses. Being part of a dance group when I was younger was so fulfilling in so many ways, and I loved every part of it. Inspire your child with the dedication of this audiobook.