Record-breaking snowfalls in Rambletown have postponed Opening Day of the Rounders' baseball season three times! As the team tries to "warm up" on the icy field, they welcome a new center fielder: Orlando Ramirez. He's as fast as a cheetah and catches everything—right before smashing into the outfield wall. Just like a crash-test dummy. The Rounders will need a miracle—or a really big shovel—to put the brakes on Orlando's collision course with the wall and this never-ending cold spell.

Kevin Markey thinks "rain" and "out," when used together, are two of the saddest words in the English language. When speaking of weather, "snow" and "day" are much better! Other word combinations as compelling in their way as a bang-bang play on the bases include "greasy slider," "late-inning heroics," and "lasting friendships," concepts that all appear in this book . . . which he hopes will induce gales of laughter (another good one) in every reader.

Kevin is the author of Slumpbuster, Wall Ball, and Wing Ding, all in his Super Sluggers series of baseball adventures, and several books of nonfiction. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, with his wife and two children and a lovable yellow-haired dog named Happy. He bats left, throws left, and types with both hands.

Rave reviews for Wall Ball: “Chuckle-inducing. Over-the-top hilarity.” — Kirkus Reviews

Rave reviews for Wall Ball: “Celebrates the joys of baseball.” — ALA Booklist

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “Markey’s deadpan delivery renders his tall-tale names and broad, punning prose quite comical, and the Walloper’s triumphant out-of-the-park home run is the stuff of minor legend.” — Kirkus Reviews

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “New baseball series hits it out of the park.” — Family Fun Magazine

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “I give this book 4 out of 5 smiles.”—Michael Roberts, Kidsday Reporter, Age 9 — Newsday/Kidsday

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “The comically deadpan reactions of slump observers, the tautly drawn action scenes, and the snappy pacing of the short chapters are nicely pitched to readers just hitting their stride with full-length novels.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “Straightforward, sunny.” — ALA Booklist

Rave reviews for Slumpbuster: “A lively . . . read [for] fans of Matt Christopher’s sports stories, or readers who simply appreciate play-by-play action.” — School Library Journal