First Base Faulkner

A teenage boy moves to a small town to live with relatives and complete his schooling while looking for work. He becomes absorbed in local athletics, practicing, trying out for baseball, building friendships and partnerships, and facing competition, setbacks, and financial pressures. The narrative follows team tactics, memorable games and plays, and a subplot where he takes on an amateur detective role that affects team fortunes. Recurring themes are perseverance, teamwork, responsibility, and the personal growth involved in moving from adolescence toward independence.