Rise of the Underdog

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

By: Chad Metcalf, Kristi Metcalf

Narrated by: 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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Inspiring Read for Young Baseball Fans

I got this for my son, who’s just getting into baseball, and he loved it! The story really captures that feeling of being the underdog but never giving up. It kept him hooked, and he even asked me to join him in practicing some of the things he learned from the book. It’s a great mix of adventure and motivation, perfect for young athletes who are just starting out. He’s already asking for more books like this!!

Heartwarming and relatable

We've all been there—young, apprehensive, and insecure. Enter Rise of the Underdog!

This book is truly inspirational for kids who may be struggling with their confidence, especially those who might not have the best support system or aren't sure how to express their concerns.

Through storytelling, the authors normalize these experiences. Not only are they normalized, but life lessons such as teamwork, facing one's fears, and building self-confidence are addressed positively.

This is a great book for kids aged 8 and up—even if they haven't openly expressed their fears. Who knows what they may face tomorrow? Pick up a copy—it could go a long way in helping shape a young child's life.

A great family listen

We listened to this lovely audiobook as a family, and it was such a heartwarming experience for the kids as well as for us, parents! The story kept us all engaged, and it also taught great values about perseverance and teamwork. The narration was fantastic, really bringing the characters to life. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and inspiration, and we’re all looking forward to more stories like this!