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Ballpark Mysteries #10
The Rookie Blue Jay
Batter up! Ballpark Mysteries combine baseball action with exciting whodunits for early chapter book readers!
Mike and Kate can't wait to watch their rookie hero Dusty Martin in action. But something is throwing the Blue Jays' star off his game. Then, when no one else is looking, Mike sees mysterious ghost lights flying across the field. Is the ballpark haunted? And could Dusty have seen the lights, too?
Ballpark Mysteries are the all-star matchup of fun sleuthing and baseball action, perfect for readers of Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries and Matt Christopher's sports books, and younger siblings of Mike Lupica fans. Each Ballpark Mystery also features "Dugout Notes," with more amazing baseball facts.
Mike and Kate can't wait to watch their rookie hero Dusty Martin in action. But something is throwing the Blue Jays' star off his game. Then, when no one else is looking, Mike sees mysterious ghost lights flying across the field. Is the ballpark haunted? And could Dusty have seen the lights, too?
Ballpark Mysteries are the all-star matchup of fun sleuthing and baseball action, perfect for readers of Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries and Matt Christopher's sports books, and younger siblings of Mike Lupica fans. Each Ballpark Mystery also features "Dugout Notes," with more amazing baseball facts.
112 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
37 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
David A. Kelly
74 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 6, 2016
On one hand, I can see how this book might appeal to young sports-lovers; it highlights what makes the Toronto Sky Dome unique. However, as a Canadian, I found the plot of the story is just a tad disrespectful and stupid. Yes, hockey is beloved by many Canadians, but it's actually lacrosse that's our national sport. And Canadians also enjoy football, basketball, golf, and — gasp — even baseball! is, honestly, laughable to me.
I wasn't expecting to read so much about hockey here, given that the book is described as a "ballpark mystery". It would have been nice to learn something about Blue Jay history and to actually hear about real Blue Jay players, rather than some made-up buffoon who would rather be playing hockey!
I wasn't expecting to read so much about hockey here, given that the book is described as a "ballpark mystery". It would have been nice to learn something about Blue Jay history and to actually hear about real Blue Jay players, rather than some made-up buffoon who would rather be playing hockey!
June 29, 2022
I love these fun baseball mysteries. The best thing about this book was that I learned that the Toronto Blue Jays have a hotel in their stadium and you can watch a game sitting in your room. How great is that!! Fun story and a fun mystery.
Watching baseball games
While sitting in your hotel
Room is pure genius.
Watching baseball games
While sitting in your hotel
Room is pure genius.
November 30, 2016
Kelly did an excellent job tying together America's Great American Pastime with Canada's. Also, I had NO IDEA that Toronto has a hotel built within their stadium. Way to tie all of this in to the story!
There's a little bit of a mystery here, but not what you'd expect. Still a great read!
There's a little bit of a mystery here, but not what you'd expect. Still a great read!
September 25, 2017
i liked it
August 18, 2025
I’ve decided to read more kids fiction - I like this format of book with consistent characters going through an adventure and learning a lesson.
September 15, 2015
Really enjoy this series of kids' books. The mysteries are predictable but there is something comfortable in that. This one is indistinguishable from the others. But I liked hearing about the Toronto Blue Jay's stadium and we're now all excited to add that to our to-visit list.
March 12, 2015
I thought this was a really cute story and great for kids.
March 30, 2017
Ballpark: Toronto Blue Jays
Much like the culprit's scheme and motive in The L.A. Dodger, the focal point of this book's plot doesn't really add up. The plot was unique from the others in this series in that there wasn't a crime committed or anything missing. Mike and Kate see something odd in the Blue Jays stadium and stumble upon a secret one of the players is harboring. It's that secret that overstates the stereotype of Canada's love of hockey. Although it should also be said the real impetus is a little more viable but still even more melodramatic.
There is plenty of baseball action in this volume of the Ballpark Mysteries series, but there is just as much love for hockey. It certainly seems somewhat odd that a baseball team would hand out hockey pucks to its fans, although that may have just been a mistaken assumption by Kate.
I did love learning there is a hotel in the Blue Jays stadium, which makes the ballpark a must visit for our family.
My four year old son was thoroughly convinced the mysterious lights were caused by a ghost. So the reveal was a bit of a disappointment. The concepts of Rookie of the Year and baseball errors were also new so not as impactful as other volumes' focus on home runs and strike outs.
The dugout notes were the same mixed bag of baseball facts and hockey facts. They continued to make a big deal about the Blue Jays being the only Canadian major league baseball team (after the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals).
Much like the culprit's scheme and motive in The L.A. Dodger, the focal point of this book's plot doesn't really add up. The plot was unique from the others in this series in that there wasn't a crime committed or anything missing. Mike and Kate see something odd in the Blue Jays stadium and stumble upon a secret one of the players is harboring. It's that secret that overstates the stereotype of Canada's love of hockey. Although it should also be said the real impetus is a little more viable but still even more melodramatic.
There is plenty of baseball action in this volume of the Ballpark Mysteries series, but there is just as much love for hockey. It certainly seems somewhat odd that a baseball team would hand out hockey pucks to its fans, although that may have just been a mistaken assumption by Kate.
I did love learning there is a hotel in the Blue Jays stadium, which makes the ballpark a must visit for our family.
My four year old son was thoroughly convinced the mysterious lights were caused by a ghost. So the reveal was a bit of a disappointment. The concepts of Rookie of the Year and baseball errors were also new so not as impactful as other volumes' focus on home runs and strike outs.
The dugout notes were the same mixed bag of baseball facts and hockey facts. They continued to make a big deal about the Blue Jays being the only Canadian major league baseball team (after the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals).
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews