Ready to head to the diamond for some baseball? Check out this action-packed Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen ? perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

?A good read for youngsters who know and love the game.? ?Kirkus Reviews

Like many athletes, Trey is superstitious. How could he not be when he just made the Ravens travel team, thanks to his lucky charm?a piece of rare sea glass he found on his grandmother?s beach.

This stroke of good fortune reinforces his superstitious behavior, and the rituals become more and more important to him. In spite of some teasing and even some sarcasm from his teammates, Trey persists?he never steps on the foul line, he obsessively taps the corners of home plate when he?s at bat, he always chooses the same lucky bat. Why stop? After all, his tactics are working; he?s doing quite well on the field and in the batter?s box.

Then one day he can?t find his lucky sea glass. He searches everywhere, but it?s no use. Trey?s performance begins to slip, and he?s convinced that his future with the Ravens is doomed. Things don?t start to improve for Trey until his uncle reminds him of his grandmother?s favorite saying: ?The harder you work, the luckier you get.?

Can Trey take those words to heart and find his swing again?even without his lucky charm?

Author Fred Bowen explores the age-old conflict between luck and hard work in this installment of his Sports Story Series. In the afterword, readers can learn more about famous players with their own lucky charms and superstitions.

Discussion Guide available.