The Big Field

Reviewed by Katie Hayes for TeensReadToo.com

Keith "Hutch" Hutchison, the hero of sportswriter Mike Lupica's latest young adult sports novel, loved playing shortstop for his baseball team in Florida. Then Darryl Williams came along and took over at short, forcing Hutch to move to second base.

Worse than the sting of losing his old position, though, is the hurt Hutch feels at the absence of his father from his games. A former baseball player who saw his dreams crushed, Hutch's dad can barely bring himself to watch his son play. So when Hutch sees his father giving Darryl some playing tips, he has a whole new reason to dislike his teammate.

During a summer when their team is fighting to win the state championship and the chance to play on show more TV, Hutch's rivalry with Darryl threatens the team's chances, and he must come to grips with his father and his teammate to be the team player he needs to be.

While THE BIG FIELD doesn't bring anything new to the sports genre, this is an engaging read. Mr. Lupica throws in plenty of references to current baseball players, which brings even more realism to the story. The characters seem very true-to-life, and anyone who's ever played a sport or just loves baseball can relate to it. show less

Mike Lupica, the veteran sports columnist for the Daily News in New York, is not content to rest on his laurels. In addition to his adult audience, he’s reaching out to younger readers, trying to teach them lessons on the field that can be extended to everyday life. His previous works in the genre include HEAT, TRAVEL TEAM, SUMMER BALL and MIRACLE ON 49th STREET.

His latest offering is THE BIG FIELD, the story of Hutch Hutchinson, a star shortstop for his American Legion team who is displaced by Darryl “D-Will” Williams, a better player with a questionable attitude.

Despite the natural misgivings, Hutch is willing to take one for the team, giving way to Darryl and moving over to second base. The parallel to Derek Jeter and Alex show more Rodriguez is unmistakable. So is the tense relationship as the two 14-year-olds vie for dominance. Darryl has his mind set on being the “next big thing,” already attracting the notice of scouts and the media. Hutch, on the other hand, is content to live in the here-and-now, with the sole goal of playing for the regional championship at the minor league venue of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hutch is joined in his quest by Codey, his best friend and affable sidekick. It’s not too far a stretch to think of the trio as a less dangerous version of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy, with bats replacing magic wands.

As the team moves through the rounds of competition to put them in the big game on The Big Field, Hutch must deal with several issues: his continuing resentment of his rival, his perhaps over-consuming love of baseball, and his relationship with his father, himself a heralded player who still has trouble dealing with his failure to make it to the major leagues.

Lupica does an admirable job of presenting the drama of the games, which, with the attention to strategy, often feels more like a chess match. But several elements fall into the area of cliché: Hutch’s team is obviously talented, but they’re considered underdogs since they are in the low age range, 14- and 15-year-olds competing against players up to three years their seniors (the player pictured on the dust jacket seems more like 10 than 14). And although Hutch does have a couple of momentary setbacks, he nevertheless comes through when it counts, a baseball savant --- wise beyond what should be his ken --- who seems to have no other interest than to excel at his game.

The fact that everything works out to the good despite the blips is also somewhat unrealistic, but hey, this is fiction.

Overall, THE BIG FIELD is a genial, fast-paced adventure that should interest young sports fans. show less

Keith “Hutch” Hutchinson is an average teenager with a dream to win a championship in baseball. However, he has a few problems in his way of getting to the “big field”. First off, his new teammate Darryl is the most arrogant person in his life. Not to mention that his father, a retired semi-professional baseball player, does not reach out to Hutch personally nor in baseball. After he finds his father playing baseball with Darryl, his anger boils over and he gets in a fight with Darryl. Suspended from the semifinals Hutch watches his team score victory against a skilled group of older kids. Hutch has a sharp argument with his father, leaving the two further estranged. Before the championship game, Hutch finds his father show more practicing baseball alone and shares a passionate moment with himself, knowing his father and him were sharing baseball one way or another. Later he arrives at the overwhelming field to play the key game and reconciles with Darryl. The two run onto the field together and play the biggest game of their short lives.
My thoughts on the book were very positive. I felt the book was inspirational and well written. At no point in the story was I confused or lost in the text. The author’s documentation of events seemed rushed at times, but never the less the story was smooth and thrilling throughout the entire book. If a reader likes baseball and wants to read a story about it, this is the one to read. show less

Yet another excellent sports book by Mike Lupica. I really liked the relationship between father and son in this one. The baseball writing was also outstanding, which is to be expected from a professional sportswriter. Highly recommended.

Matt O'Connor
January 18,2012
The Bat Cave
Mr.Bronson

The Big Field

I have to say The Big Field was a good book. I personally liked it because I am a baseball fan. If you don't like sports then don't read this book. On the other hand, if you do like sports then give it a try.

In this book there really isn't a lot of action. It starts off rather slow. It is about a boy named Hutch who plays town baseball. At first I thought that it would be another typical, boring book but it wasn't. I actually ended up liking it in the end.

I have only read one other book by this author, Mike Lupica. I like this one better than summer ball. This is because Summer ball is about basketball, a sport I don't care for.

Both books are both well written from a sports show more fans point of view. Mike Lupica is an espn anylist so he knows what he is talking about when it comes to sports.

Hutch faces a couple problems in this book. One is an annoying kid named Darryl who acts like a superstar because he is one. Another problem he faces is his father. They do not have a close relationship and that bothers Hutch a lot. Hutch just tries not to think about these problems and they are both eventually solved. show less

Baseball, teamwork, and perseverance linked together make this an enjoyable book. Hutch plays shortstop, like his hero, Derek Jeter, as was his father. Does he really have to switch positions? Why or why not? Read to find out how Hutch resolves his emotional conflict...This book would be great to have on the shelf in a classroom especially for boys ages fourth, fifth and sixth grade as it explores being part of a team and responsibility.

Hutch loves baseball and wants to become a professional baseball player. His dad was one once and now doesn't seem very interested in his son's game or aspirations. Hutch's team has made the playoffs and he and his best friend are geared up for the competion. Hutch is playing second base instead of shortstop this year because of a new player on the team. There is conflict between the two. Lots of exciting baseball and some real life issues about relationships on and off the field.