Review of "Lefty’s Long Throw," by Bill J. Carol

Review of

Lefty’s Long Throw, by Bill J. Carol

Four out of five stars

 Pete Gudoy throws left-handed, plays Little League baseball and is a very good pitcher. When he joins the team, the coach (Mr. Farber) is impressed by his velocity and control. However, when Pete demonstrates that he can also throw sliders and curve balls, Mr. Farber forbids him from throwing them. As a quality coach, Mr. Farber understands the strain that such pitches place on young arms and he would rather preserve Pete’s future than win now.

 This idealistic approach is at first lost on Pete, for he possesses an admirable, yet misguided drive to win. There are several times when Pete violates the coach’s instructions, to the point where he is removed from the game. Pete is so angry that he leaves the team and joins a group of boys that play sandlot baseball. It is only when Pete strains his arm while pitching that he realizes that Mr. Farber was right. The fear that he might not be able to pitch again focuses his mind. Since he loves to play baseball, Pete finally agrees to rejoin the team as an outfielder and pinch hitter and the predictable happens. He makes the play that saves the game.   

 This is an entertaining book of juvenile sports fiction, with the moral of the story being as much of the tale as the sports action. It is well worth reading and taking seriously as a way for young teen boys to approach the world and life.