baseball umpires

Twelve-year-old Casey lives with his father and grandfather at their family-run umpire school, and as he deals with middle school and his mother's unwelcome return, he stumbles on a sensational story that has him questioning his dream of becoming a journalist.

Twelve-year-old Casey lives with his father and grandfather at their family-run umpire school, and as he deals with middle school and his mother's unwelcome return, he stumbles on a sensational story that has him questioning his dream of becoming a journalist.

The author explores the secrets, rituals, vocabulary, and customs of professional umpires, and describes his experiences training and working at spring training games for Little League and big league games, where he gains a better appreciation for a most unappreciated position.

Traces the public and private life of baseball umpire and gay, Dave Pallone.