Six Good Innings: How One Small Town Became a Little League Giant

By Mark Kreidler

Book Overview

In the tradition of Friday Night Lights comes an unforgettable portrait of a small New Jersey town that became known throughout the world for the remarkable exploits of its Little League stars. Summertime in Toms River means two things: tourists and champions. The tourists head for the beaches; the 12-year-old Little League champions can be found on the baseball diamonds, where they win titles at the local, regional, and international levels. The Toms River dynasty began in the 1990s, when the team made it to the Little League World Series three times in five years and brought home a historic world championship victory in 1998. But with each passing summer in Toms River comes renewed pressure, as the latest collection of All-Stars strives to leave its mark on the town's imposing baseball legacy. In Six Good Innings , acclaimed sportswriter Mark Kreidler deftly illuminates the sometimes tense relationship between Toms River and the team that carries the town's hopes and dreams. Following the most recent juggernaut through one tumultuous All-Star season, Kreidler chronicles how the coach, John Puleo, works to strike a balance between healthy competition and bloodless ambition, and how the players themselves reckon with their own fleeting fame as they tumble headlong into adolescence. Puleo, a man with a gift for inspiring young athletes, commands a team whose recent string of successes has led to speculation that this might be the squad to extend the Toms River tradition of reaching Williamsport, site of the Little League World Series. But along the path to glory, Puleo's players will deal with unexpected injuries, a brutally difficult schedule of games, and the daunting knowledge that they have been identified throughout their region--and within the neighborhood blocks of their own baseball-crazy town--as the team to beat. With deep empathy, incisive reporting, and intimate access, Kreidler weaves the stories of the coaches, the parents, the fans, and the true boys of summer into a memorable tableau.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006147357X
• ISBN13: 9780061473579
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

In my own backyard

I live just a few exits north on the Garden State Parkway from Toms River, so the story told in Mark Kreidler's wonderful book Six Good Innings feels like local news to me. This excellent volume proves that the best of neighborhood America is not always found in the heartland between the coasts, but that it can also be found down-the-shore, right here in New Jersey. A compelling read that any baseball fan or lover of good books would enjoy. Recommended to all!

Amazing story of hard work and guts for kids

I am impressed with Six Good Innings, having spent time in Toms River and seeing the environment, it is amazing the work that goes into developing the next best Little League team. The timing of this book coming out at the beginnning of the Little League WS is great too. You hear about these young people putting in long hours to become the best in their age group, in their town. Some have historically gone on to the pros. Is this hard work any different than what goes into being a Child Prodigy in Piano or Violin? Great work and encouraging. Worth it for those who want to see their kids get involved in sports.

Terrific read about small town idealism has lots of heart!

SIX GOOD INNINGS tells the tale and pretty much carries the flavor of how a small town little league team begins to learn and appreciate their game. Nicely constructed prose from author Kreidler, himself an ESPN guy shows that he knows the feel of a good bat, belting one perfectly on that sweet spot and the resonating sound of getting it right. Toms River would produce a great group of kids who learn about winning and losing... and winning and losing all over again. The transition from youthful innocence to a wiser bunch of lads who learn how to keep going on is a compelling read, and so perfectly American that it deserves kudos and your time. The bottom line is I loved it and couldn't put it down for too long. Let it break your heart a little because it certainly will. This is little league with clarity and soul. Mark Braun Executive Director Old Timers' Baseball Association of Chicago Since 1919

Kreidler Does It Again

I thoroughly enjoyed Kreidler's last book about Iowa's passion for the sport of wrestling. But when I read the premise of Kreidler's latest offering - New Jersey town's obsession with Little League baseball - I confess I was a little skeptical. The images that came to mind were of overbearing, "helicopter" parents living their dreams through their kids' sports success, and boys who were so driven to succeed at the game of baseball that they sacrificed an important part of their childhood. But with Kreidler's story-telling skills and his astute character portraits, he thoroughly humanizes the coaches, parents, and kids of this town. To be sure, these kids are playing baseball at an elite level. But they are still kids after all. In one poignant scene, at a team swim party after one tough game, the boys seem to have put behind them the heartache baseball inevitably causes while plainly maintaining their love of the game. A great read if you love baseball, and especially if you have kids in Little League.

Kreidler Hits Another Home Run

After thoroughly enjoying Mark Kreidler's first book, "Four Days to Glory," I was excited when I learned that he had written a second book and I bought it immediately. From the moment that I started reading the story of the 2007 Toms River Americans Little League team, I did not want to put it down. Kriedler does a great job weaving the legacy of Little League success in Toms River, New Jersey, with the story of the 2007 team. The 2007 team was coming off a very successful 2006 season and was aiming for a trip to Williamsport and the Little League World Series. From the first page, I wanted to know if this group achieved their lofty goal. The book does a great job of telling of the commitment, thrills, pressures, joys and agonies that all children, coaches and parents go through when a young sports team chases its dream. "Six Good Innings" is a must read for any baseball fan or any person that either played Little League baseball or had a child that did. But, anybody that enjoys competition of any kind will be very glad that they read "Six Good Innings."