Eight-grader Roy Morelli cant wait for baseball season to start so he can take his rightful place as shortstop for the Pilchuk All-Star team. Being on the All-Stars is just the warm-up for the big leagues: the varsity baseball team at the high school Roy will go to next year. But when Roys divorced parents find out hes failing history, they make him quit the All-Stars. Its not his fault the only thing interesting about history class is Valerie Hopkins, and she wont even give Roy the time of day.Now Roy is stuck on a losing team in the wimpy rec league, and instead of playing ball every spare minute, hes spending his afternoons with a tutorwho just happens to be his dads brainiac girlfriend. If Roys going to impress the varsity baseball coach, hes sure he should be looking out for number one, not wasting his time studying. After all, baseball is what Roy does best. But when his grades continue to slide and his teammates get tired of his know-it-all attitude, Roy Morelli will need to step up to the plate. . . .From the Hardcover edition.