Outfield Outcast

Baseball has always been Malcolm's best sport, and he's sure this season will be no different. After all, there's no real competition when you're the best. But when a former benchwarmer makes a big play for his position, everything suddenly changes. Malcolm soon begins to realize that earning his spot on the baseball team won't be as easy as he expected.

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler - or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps - literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.