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Ballpark Mysteries #7
The San Francisco Splash
Time for a seventh-inning stretch! The San Francisco Splash is book #7 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark!
Splash! A hit soars over the walls of the San Francisco ballpark on the bay and drops into the water. But then Mike and Kate hear another, much larger splash nearby . . . and this time it's not a baseball. It's a man overboard! And when he's pulled from the water, the old-time ballplayer discovers his World Series ring is gone! Is it at the bottom of the bay? Or was it somehow stolen by a long-ago rival?
The San Francisco Splash includes several pages of Dugout Notes, fun facts about San Francisco's recently built ballpark.
Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.
Splash! A hit soars over the walls of the San Francisco ballpark on the bay and drops into the water. But then Mike and Kate hear another, much larger splash nearby . . . and this time it's not a baseball. It's a man overboard! And when he's pulled from the water, the old-time ballplayer discovers his World Series ring is gone! Is it at the bottom of the bay? Or was it somehow stolen by a long-ago rival?
The San Francisco Splash includes several pages of Dugout Notes, fun facts about San Francisco's recently built ballpark.
Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
40 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
David A. Kelly
66 books95 followersDavid A. Kelly is the author of over 30 children's books, including the bestselling Ballpark Mysteries series, the MVP series, the brand-new Football Mysteries series, and more.
Mr. Kelly is also the author of the early reader, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse and the picture books Tee Time on the Moon and Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and Secret Mud that Changed Baseball.
He has written about travel and technology for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Sun Times, and many other publications. Mr. Kelly lives in Newton, MA, with his family.
For more information, visit David’s webpage – www.davidakellybooks.com. He's available for school and library visits, in person or virtually.
Mr. Kelly is also the author of the early reader, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse and the picture books Tee Time on the Moon and Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and Secret Mud that Changed Baseball.
He has written about travel and technology for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Sun Times, and many other publications. Mr. Kelly lives in Newton, MA, with his family.
For more information, visit David’s webpage – www.davidakellybooks.com. He's available for school and library visits, in person or virtually.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 24, 2021
3.5 STARS Not one of my favorites as the kids were just too close to real danger here, IMO, and I also wanted some more details about San Fransisco, but I'm probably being overly picky since I've actually visited often. It was one of my son's favorites, so take that review over mine ;-)
FULL REVIEW OF THE SERIES:
This series has a lot going for it. The characters feel well-drawn (though it’s not heavy on characterization) and the mysteries are quite well done for this age group, not dummied down yet with enough well-placed clues that astute young detectives will figure out whodunit before the big reveal (while including enough red herrings to keep them guessing most of the way).
I like that Mike and Kate feature equally in the book (it’s not a “boy” book or a “girl” book), they both like baseball (but neither is an incredible talent), they are both smart (without being unrealistic brainiacs), both good at solving the mysteries. They feel very relatable and like normal kids. I think boys and girls would equally enjoy this book. I appreciate that Kate is learning Spanish, and that she often researches the locations they travel to ahead of time. There’s a bit of humor and usually a cheesy joke or two for kids who like that, courtesy of Mike (but fortunately no potty humor). They are respectful to one another and there’s no bickering or rivalry. The parents don’t feature much, but again, the relationship is positive. Kate’s parents are divorced, but it is presented as amicable.
I imagine many kids will come to these books because they have a love of baseball but we came to them with very little knowledge of the sport. I chose them because they were well-reviewed and my son has enjoyed mystery books in the past. I was pleasantly surprised by how engaged I was with the baseball aspect, and it really sparked my son’s interest in the sport. Usually there are a few “ballgame” moments with Mike and Kate watching some plays on the field, but it’s more focused on the mystery than the game play. Of course, all the mysteries involve either ballplayers or some aspect of the team or stadium. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the distinctive characteristics of each ballpark. I also appreciate that many of the books give a glimpse into some local culture or history and local landmarks of the city. The back matter provides further notes about the players, ballparks, city, and history mentioned within the story. They are effortlessly educational while being primarily entertaining.
As a parent, I do have a few qualms about the kids running around in large ballpark stadiums (including out-of-the-way places not frequented by crowds) and surrounding areas in unfamiliar cities without a parent around. They also go off with adults they barely know (usually staff at the ballpark, so not exactly “strangers” but…) some of whom they suspect of committing crimes (usually involving theft or some sort of threats to the ballpark or a player) but at least the kids are always together and, of course, it’s the way the kids are able to be heroes and solve the crime themselves. Some of the books are a little heavier on the exposure to danger than others but most are pretty tame and, of course, all ends well. Also, the kids sometimes look for evidence in an office or a person’s backpack or something like that because they suspect the person of having committed the crime—but, of course, they have no warrant or legal right to do so and sometimes it’s a little close to trespassing or, at least, significant snooping. But, again, the positives of the book outweigh these few quibbles for me.
Overall, I highly recommend the series to young readers who enjoy mysteries and baseball. My son loves them and we have read almost every one in the series. I personally like them better than Magic Treehouse and I think they would appeal to fans of Magic Treehouse type books, too.
FULL REVIEW OF THE SERIES:
This series has a lot going for it. The characters feel well-drawn (though it’s not heavy on characterization) and the mysteries are quite well done for this age group, not dummied down yet with enough well-placed clues that astute young detectives will figure out whodunit before the big reveal (while including enough red herrings to keep them guessing most of the way).
I like that Mike and Kate feature equally in the book (it’s not a “boy” book or a “girl” book), they both like baseball (but neither is an incredible talent), they are both smart (without being unrealistic brainiacs), both good at solving the mysteries. They feel very relatable and like normal kids. I think boys and girls would equally enjoy this book. I appreciate that Kate is learning Spanish, and that she often researches the locations they travel to ahead of time. There’s a bit of humor and usually a cheesy joke or two for kids who like that, courtesy of Mike (but fortunately no potty humor). They are respectful to one another and there’s no bickering or rivalry. The parents don’t feature much, but again, the relationship is positive. Kate’s parents are divorced, but it is presented as amicable.
I imagine many kids will come to these books because they have a love of baseball but we came to them with very little knowledge of the sport. I chose them because they were well-reviewed and my son has enjoyed mystery books in the past. I was pleasantly surprised by how engaged I was with the baseball aspect, and it really sparked my son’s interest in the sport. Usually there are a few “ballgame” moments with Mike and Kate watching some plays on the field, but it’s more focused on the mystery than the game play. Of course, all the mysteries involve either ballplayers or some aspect of the team or stadium. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the distinctive characteristics of each ballpark. I also appreciate that many of the books give a glimpse into some local culture or history and local landmarks of the city. The back matter provides further notes about the players, ballparks, city, and history mentioned within the story. They are effortlessly educational while being primarily entertaining.
As a parent, I do have a few qualms about the kids running around in large ballpark stadiums (including out-of-the-way places not frequented by crowds) and surrounding areas in unfamiliar cities without a parent around. They also go off with adults they barely know (usually staff at the ballpark, so not exactly “strangers” but…) some of whom they suspect of committing crimes (usually involving theft or some sort of threats to the ballpark or a player) but at least the kids are always together and, of course, it’s the way the kids are able to be heroes and solve the crime themselves. Some of the books are a little heavier on the exposure to danger than others but most are pretty tame and, of course, all ends well. Also, the kids sometimes look for evidence in an office or a person’s backpack or something like that because they suspect the person of having committed the crime—but, of course, they have no warrant or legal right to do so and sometimes it’s a little close to trespassing or, at least, significant snooping. But, again, the positives of the book outweigh these few quibbles for me.
Overall, I highly recommend the series to young readers who enjoy mysteries and baseball. My son loves them and we have read almost every one in the series. I personally like them better than Magic Treehouse and I think they would appeal to fans of Magic Treehouse type books, too.
October 11, 2013
A beginning chapter book mystery surrounding The San Francisco Giants, McCovey Cove, and baseball is the theme of The San Francisco Splash: Ballpark Mystery #7 by David A. Kelly. When cousins Mike and Kate visit San Francisco with Kate's dad, they take in some sights and plan to go to a Giants-Dodgers game. Before they go to the game, they are kayaking in McCovey Cove trying to catch some 'Splash Hits' when they witness an elderly gentleman fall off a neighboring boat. Mike jumps in to help rescue him and he happens to be Ray, a retired Giants ballplayer and hero of a Dodgers-Giants World Series long ago.
When Ray's championship ring goes missing, however,Mike and Kate rise to the challenge and investigate the theft of the ring. Leave to these two resourceful kids to figure it out and return the ring to its rightful owner.
Includes interesting trivia facts about San Francisco, baseball, The Giants and The Dodgers, and Alcatraz to name a few.
Donated to PV IMC in honor of my recent trip to California, San Francisco and Giants stadium where I attended a action-packed game!
When Ray's championship ring goes missing, however,Mike and Kate rise to the challenge and investigate the theft of the ring. Leave to these two resourceful kids to figure it out and return the ring to its rightful owner.
Includes interesting trivia facts about San Francisco, baseball, The Giants and The Dodgers, and Alcatraz to name a few.
Donated to PV IMC in honor of my recent trip to California, San Francisco and Giants stadium where I attended a action-packed game!
December 12, 2016
This book is a story for kids, but the series is quite fun when you have been to a ballpark (as we have been to AT&T Park in San Francisco). I only wish we had read this before we went so that, when we did go, my daughter could have said “that’s where (such-and-such) happened in the book.”
As for the story, it was decent. A fictional World Series hero’s ring goes missing, and he accuses his rival, a Dodgers World Series hero, of being the thief. The two kids in the story then set about solving the mystery.
This is part of a series of adventures at other ballparks, so (although I’ve only been to a few of them) I will probably read the other ones.
As for the story, it was decent. A fictional World Series hero’s ring goes missing, and he accuses his rival, a Dodgers World Series hero, of being the thief. The two kids in the story then set about solving the mystery.
This is part of a series of adventures at other ballparks, so (although I’ve only been to a few of them) I will probably read the other ones.
October 31, 2016
I learned a lot of interesting things while reading this mystery, set at San Francisco's ballpark.
March 21, 2017
Ballpark: San Francisco Giants
As the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their rivalry, Mike and Kate help a Giants legend track down his lost World Series ring. The culprit was unfortunately easy to figure out for an adult but left my four year old son appropriately confounded until the end. He was convinced the ring was actually in the Bay or that the Dodger legend stole it. So in that regard the mystery was a success. Otherwise this wasn't as engrossing as other volumes have been.
The city of San Francisco is nicely described, though. From cable cars to Fisherman's Wharf to Alcatraz, many of the famous landmarks are included and play important parts in the plot. A little too much time is spent with the people catching splash balls in the Bay, but that is a famous aspect of the Giants' ballpark. The Willie Mays' basket catch was deftly woven into the story for a good dose of baseball history.
The dugout notes offer a small treasure trove of history behind Giants' ballpark and the Giants team. I personally did not know the Giants and Dodgers both moved from New York to California in the very same year; that's some dedicated rivalry! Only downside was sometimes it felt a bit like the Dodgers were being given equal treatment in the Giants' volume; at least it felt more than other visiting teams have been given in other volumes.
My four year old son enjoyed the dugout notes and has started requesting them to be read immediately after the story; I always did anyway but after The Astro Outlaw and this volume he seems to have more interest, which is fantastic since those are often the most densely interesting part of the book.
As the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their rivalry, Mike and Kate help a Giants legend track down his lost World Series ring. The culprit was unfortunately easy to figure out for an adult but left my four year old son appropriately confounded until the end. He was convinced the ring was actually in the Bay or that the Dodger legend stole it. So in that regard the mystery was a success. Otherwise this wasn't as engrossing as other volumes have been.
The city of San Francisco is nicely described, though. From cable cars to Fisherman's Wharf to Alcatraz, many of the famous landmarks are included and play important parts in the plot. A little too much time is spent with the people catching splash balls in the Bay, but that is a famous aspect of the Giants' ballpark. The Willie Mays' basket catch was deftly woven into the story for a good dose of baseball history.
The dugout notes offer a small treasure trove of history behind Giants' ballpark and the Giants team. I personally did not know the Giants and Dodgers both moved from New York to California in the very same year; that's some dedicated rivalry! Only downside was sometimes it felt a bit like the Dodgers were being given equal treatment in the Giants' volume; at least it felt more than other visiting teams have been given in other volumes.
My four year old son enjoyed the dugout notes and has started requesting them to be read immediately after the story; I always did anyway but after The Astro Outlaw and this volume he seems to have more interest, which is fantastic since those are often the most densely interesting part of the book.
November 27, 2017
The Ballpark Mysteries series is great for emerging readers who need short chapter books, and this local story does not disappoint. Cousins Kate and Mike love it when Kate’s sports-reporter mom brings them to a game. When they head out in kayaks to McCovey Cove trying to catch fly balls, they encounter
April 9, 2019
4.5 really interesting because I just went to San Francisco. It also has a very good mystery
March 18, 2021
A fun little mystery. I love San Francisco so I loved reading about the stadium there and other tourist sites. So interesting!
April 15, 2025
[2.5 stars]. This one was boring.
October 26, 2013
Mike and Kate were kayaking in the San Francisco Bay when a baseball splashes in the water right in front of them. Just as Kate lifts the ball out of the water, they hear another much larger splash A man is in the water. They quickly paddle over him and Mike jumps in to grab him. The man is a legendary baseball player. When he is pulled out of the water, he realizes that he is misses his World Series ring. The initial thought is that it is at the bottom of the bay. Soon they realize that it is stolen.
Classroom uses:
- literature circle
- guided reading
- unit on mysteries
DRA: unknown
Classroom uses:
- literature circle
- guided reading
- unit on mysteries
DRA: unknown
September 6, 2016
I gave this book to my oldest son for Christmas. He has barely put it down since he started reading it. There are few things I enjoy more than watching my children read! He has been so intrigued by this book and I look forward to getting him more! As soon as he finishes it, I plan on reading it as well and letting my youngest son read it too! A wonderful book for baseball fans!
August 17, 2014
I liked it. It's about someone who has a world series run who loses it. Then they try to find it and so there's a boat person who takes the person on a boat ride to catch some splash hits in the bay. He saw this big wave coming so he yanked and made the guy fall into the water. While he was getting into the boat, he slipped the ring of his hand and they're worth lots of money.
September 3, 2014
I liked it. They were trying to get a world series ring back. So the person with the world series ring went on a boat ride and the captain pushed him overbaord. When he was getting him back on the boat he grabbed the world series ring off his finger.
December 17, 2014
Young baseball fans will enjoy this series. Each book is set in a different locale featuring a baseball stadium.
March 12, 2014
yet another great book in the series:)
January 9, 2015
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
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September 22, 2017Excellent book 10/10 recommend
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews