Cope Field

by T.L. Simpson

A 2026 Printz Honor Book
Top 100 Books of 2025, Kirkus Review
Top 3 TAYSHA’S READING LIST
2026 In the Margins Book Award
Foreward Indies Finalist
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top 10 Selection

Crawford “Craw” Cope has anger issues. Or so they say.

When Craw is sentenced to community service for hitting his father in the head with a baseball bat, he accepts his punishment without objection, knowing he’s actually lucky. If he weren’t the son of a famous former baseball player, he’d probably have gotten it a lot worse. So, Craw keeps his mouth shut and takes what life gives him. Like always.

But when he arrives at community service, which frustratingly turns out to be repairing a dilapidated ball field to be named after his father, he meets Hannah Flores, a punk rock enthusiast trapped in the Ozarks with zero filter. As Craw navigates his own explosive home life, he learns more about hers. And as their friendship blossoms into something more, he begins to understand the importance of speaking his truth, even when doing so might destroy the only life he’s ever known.

Genres: Young Adult, Sports, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Family, Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

T.L. Simpson is an award-winning journalist and novelist living in Arkansas. He is currently the editor of his hometown paper. His fiction draws from his experiences growing up in the Ozarks, covering both sports and crime. Simpson lives in the Arkansas River Valley, between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains with his wife and four children.

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.25 stars ✰

“Only by understanding our hurts can we truly overcome them.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Cope Field illustrates what it feels like when you're faced in a violent situation that you have to learn to cope on your own. No one to turn to - no one to trust - no one who will believe you, when the very person inflicting said violence is hailed as a hero. A hero who makes a small Ozark town in Arkansas hailed as the greatest person that ever came out of their small town. A baseball legend that has only his name & his memory - his legacy that keeps him afloat from sinking into the walls of despair and drug, but sadly, still not enough to hold off the abuse or the rage that pales in comparison to Crawford's own volatile hatred.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I liked - no, I loved - how subtly the author slowly built the case - shifted the tone. How 'Crawford Cope, son of a living legend, with more money than could be spent in a hundred lifetimes over' finds himself doing community service for an act of violence directed towards his father. But, there is so much more to just hitting him that is buried - one that slowly seeps out as we get a glimpse into their family life and history. 'You can look at a person a million times and see nothing but what everyone told you to see.' 😥 A missing mother, an explosive father, an uncertain memory - it highlights that Craw has not felt safe for quite awhile, and it is only through said community service that he finally finds someone he can open up to. Find some basis of connection - more so than he expected - and he found that with Hannah. 🫂

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Craw and Hannah's friendship was very believable. She was different, but she never shied from it. She loved her interests and she was proud of it. She was willing to listen and she tried to be a friend to Craw. She knew who he was and wanted to be there for him, a novel feeling that made it difficult for Craw to even accept that someone would listen. Someone cared enough for him - and just him - not just the progeny of a famous father who basically owned this town and was the honorary namesake of the very field they were both hired to work on. 🥲 'Happy moments are fleeting. But they are precious.' She was an escape and a reprieve from the burden that he carried - a chance to feel his age and feel loved and appreciated without expectations - to be himself. She taught him that there is no shame in being honest - to be true to what is right, even if it hurts.... ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

“And that is the bit that hurts the most, I reckon. To know there was a whole universe of love in this world meant for us.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Crawford's initial fear and trepidation in acting out more than he should was captured in a gripping way that makes you feel his fear - sensing something amiss, but can't quite put it into words. How he cowers - not deliberately - but having to ensure that he meets his father's expectations on the ballfield - knowing that failure is not an option, if he can save himself from the wrath of a parent, who covers it up with blatant ignorance or acts of random kindness the next day to keep his sons silent. 😟

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Oh yes, there is another son. An eight-year-old brother, Sutton or Big Time, as he is not so affectionately called, because he is the one that Crawford fights for most. Knowing that speaking out in public can endanger their family - a family that has already witnessed enough trauma unwittingly - and that any misstep can cost them their survival. How he fights to restrain himself - 'I don’t have anger problems. In this moment, I am anger personified' - it's such a battle of willpower - burning with such a desire to hurt - hurt for the hurt being done to them. The sadness and shame was so heartbreaking - because you know, no matter what, you'll still be alone. 💔💔

“When people look up to someone, and that someone does something terrible . . . sometimes it’s easier to believe that terrible thing never happened than it is to admit you were wrong about your hero.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The writing is visceral in capturing the fear; the fear of what Hunter is capable of doing to his sons - never writing it aloud, but having the audience and the characters gauge Big Time and Crawford's reactions and appearances, afterwards. It clings to your skin - this grittiness that speaks volumes of how unfair his life was and how fearful Crawford has been for so long - that even being the strong silent type is only a mask to one who is alone and afraid.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ What hurt me was that Craw never had a safe place to talk about his anger after all is said and done; a way to not control it, but express it in a positive and helpful light. Perhaps it was a way to show that even in the town where he hesitated to say anything opposing his father, because he knew no one would ever believe him, prevented him from trying. 😕 There were a few characters who did offer their support and weight of knowledge, but I would have liked it to have been at least suggested - even if passing. The story moved swiftly to reach a basis of closure for the romance, rather than shedding some depth into his own mental health and physical state. I know not everyone feels that they need extra care or need therapy, but it felt odd that it was never addressed. 🤔

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There was one significant plot line that caught me off-guard and also out of place. But, as the plot thickened, I kinda understood the need for it, but if only, the ending could have been a bit more fleshed-out, rather than the abruptness of it. I know it felt like it was more important for Craw's relationship with Hannah, but the eventual fallout also felt rushed and just kinda jumped. 😮‍💨 I felt like something was missing - something unaddressed that prevented it from being a more conclusive read.

“I love and hate this man at the same time. And it is emotional whiplash trying to discern which side I am sitting in right now.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I also wavered with Hunter's characterization; he is a father. A father whose behavior was that not of a father. But, at one point I felt that the author wanted to justify his actions for what he has suffered in his own life; the Glory Days gone and the pains that followed after. 😒 Drugs and drinking are not a solution, but it's there. And then, at the same time, I wanted to retaliate just as badly as Craw. I know, it's wrong. But the sense of helplessness that follows from witnessing abuse and being unable to help - be it a family matter or reluctance to interfere - it's something that weighs on your conscience. So, I don't know why we also had to offer him a chance to redeem himself; I was conflicted with that outcome, considering what transpired. 🙎🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But, in the end, after a somewhat slow start, this proved to be a memorable read. Memorable because I cannot shake the feeling I felt while reading - that crippling unease of when the truth comes out, that aching tension of how desperation can lead to aggression. 😢 It depicts how a façade can cover up so much; how we convince ourselves that someone so perfect could not truly be the monster that others are painting him to be, even if it is too painful to accept. Craw may not have had a choice of who was his father, but he had a chance to take matters into his own hands, before things escalated further than they already had for too long - falling into matters out of his control. It takes a lot of bravery and courage to let go of the fear of being hurt, as well as the fear of the unknown, to speak your truth. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

*Thank you to NetGalley and Edelweiss for an ERC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

•𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃

1. Have you ever had to pretend to be someone you weren’t out of fear of repercussions? You’ll understand how Craw feels.
2. If you’ve ever had to serve community service, you should check this book out.
3. Have you ever had a friend you could talk to about anything and everything? Craw finds that in Hannah.
4. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, you should check this novel out.
5. Lastly, if you enjoy books that feel realistic, this one is for you!

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Crawford “Craw” Cope has anger issues. Or so they say.

When Craw is sentenced to community service for hitting his father in the head with a baseball bat, he accepts his punishment without objection, knowing he’s actually lucky. If he weren’t the son of a famous former baseball player, he’d probably have gotten it a lot worse. So, Craw keeps his mouth shut and takes what life gives him. Like always.

But when he arrives at community service, which frustratingly turns out to be repairing a dilapidated ball field to be named after his father, he meets Hannah Flores, a punk rock enthusiast trapped in the Ozarks with zero filter. As Craw navigates his own explosive home life, he learns more about hers. And as their friendship blossoms into something more, he begins to understand the importance of speaking his truth, even when doing so might destroy the only life he’s ever known.

[Ifa Inziati · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say he got anger issues. Is it true? Because how come a son of a living legend who soon will follow his dad's footstep has anger issues?

Strong Like You, the author's debut novel, is one of male protagonist YA books that stay in my heart and mind, so it's no surprise that I anticipate Cope Field to do the same. Spoiler: it does wonderfully! It's a blend of similar elements from previous work—view on masculinity, father-son relationship, Arkansas setting, crime mystery—and a new spin that is (emo) romance. The narrative voice is a bit different too, more informal though still personal. Here we follow Crawford as he tries to understand what's happening to him, to his father, to his baby brother, and how he can survive if he lets everything go.

I liked the villains, the heroes, and the villains that dress up like heroes. I liked that there are notable improvements from the first book such as more believable development of Craw's character and clearer character description. I liked that it is more inclusive, too. Hannah's playlist is fire and if I would have a complaint about it, it's because I needed to sing the song (the chapter title) first thus interrupting my reading LOL. It's a 2000s alt music mixtape so it doesn't limit to pop punk/emo only, though I noticed it dominates. And it surely makes my teenage and current self very happy.

I liked Crawford, Hannah, Big Time (he's a National Treasure), but what sticks the most for me is Shotgun's character. After the conflict peaks and the tension heightens (I did NOT see it coming, but having read Strong Like You I should have known better), I found myself thinking about him. He's the perfect example of how much evil and good an antagonist tends to have, how to make him a threat as well as a helper. It's the same with Hunter. Both do something that harm and nurture their children in a different way, but it's damaging still and none of the children deserve that.

This story deals with heavy themes that progress gradually, so it may be a shock to some readers when things escalate rather quickly, but it is handled well too so please be patient. Again, I didn't mind if Crawford and Hannah have to end up like in 3/4 of the book, buuut I was glad the ending is better. With Strong Like You and Cope Field being my favorite cups of tea, I'm afraid the next book will be specifically written for me... LOL we'll see.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

***

Crawford is just a kid and his life is a nightmare, and he knows that it's not fair. Full review to come.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up reading almost all of this in one sitting. I want to watch a movie of it; I could see it playing out while I read. Craw has been told over and over again that he has anger management issues and that the situations he keeps finding himself in are his own fault. But this kid is wading through abuse and trauma and literally holding the different aspects of his life (brother, school, baseball, Pops, Hannah, court, secrets, college) together through sheer force of will. Hannah makes him look at his situation in a differ t way and encourages him to speak his truth. And she makes a banger playlist (I legitimately teared up when I saw Existentialism on Prom Night by Straylight Run on there; it made my little high school punk heart happy and break out the old Brand New cds 🤟). The character growth is believable and was what made me connect so strongly to the story. Loved this one.

[Elly Valdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. I want this book in my 9th grade English curriculum, stat.

[Trish Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning gut-punch of a coming of age story. Blew me away.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a lot of YA male protagonist sports books but would recommend this one to anyone interested in stories revolving around a male protagonist, baseball, father/son relationships, coming of age, and domestic violence. Thoughtfully well-written. Mostly known for its domestic violence and masculinity angle, but also has elements of a thriller wrapped in with a hint of romance.

Appreciated the friendship between Craw/Luis, appreciate the buildup of relationship between Craw/Hannah, and had such a soft spot for Craw/Sutton (brothers!!). I really loved that how clear it is that Hannah cares for Craw and tries to help him however she can. I liked that she wasn’t the one to report, that the storyline regarding that had to do with her stepdad being Craw’s dad’s drug dealer who made the abuse report after seeing Craw’s dad abuse the sons and after helping Craw’s dad bury Craw’s mom, who was murdered by Craw’s dad.

I loved the progression in the story of Craw finding his voice (he is considered the “strong and silent” type), speaking the truth, and recognizing he is loved. We clearly see how he tries to convince himself he just has anger problems (avoids addressing why he is angry or what he is responding to and actually tries to work on his anger using meditation videos; he believes he is the aggressor rather than the victim), how his dad is just trying to make him a better baseball player and loves him, and how he shouldn’t say anything because he wants to keep his family together. Raw and simple in its descriptions, especially in the lead-up to moments where Craw’s dad abuses the boys. My heart broke when he started crying after Hannah asked if his dad hits him and Sutton. He tries to be better, he tries to protect his mother and his brother, he tries to keep their family together and remember the good moments. But the work makes clear how no one but his father is responsible for his father’s anger, drug addiction, and physical and verbal abuse of his family. The work shows the fear that comes with reporting domestic abuse and how devastating that can be to a family and to a teen. It also shows how difficult getting justice for domestic abuse can be if the abuser is considered a town hero. I appreciated seeing the support Crawford has - Hannah, the foster parents Adam/Beth, Coach, etc. They demonstrated to readers that help is out there, talking to someone can help, and that “sometimes our heroes aren’t heroes” (250).

Narrator voice (Craw) is strong and relatable. Prose is simple and direct and sounds like a 17-year-old boy. I enjoyed that every chapter title was a punk song based off the Spotify playlist Hannah made Craw to educate him (and they were well-chosen songs based on the chapter content). There were also sketches from Hannah’s sketchbook for the different parts of the book, which was a nice touch.

Includes some sports descriptions of the games and innings but not overtly so.

Trigger warnings for this book would have been helpful. Didn’t like that Craw and Hannah get together so fast at the end again and make up - they don’t discuss Hannah kissing a girl??? But liked the happy ending where his dad confesses to all charges, Craw gets custody of Sutton and plays college baseball, and kisses/gets back together with Hannah.

White characters. One Spanish-speaking friend (Luis the pitcher) and Spanish used untranslated. Hannah is implied to be a lesbian.

Domestic violence. Father killing mother and beating sons. Drug abuse. Alcohol abuse. Murder. Minor seeing someone shot and killed in front of him. Court hearing. Bullying. Cursing.

[Pam Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cope Field is intense, gritty and gripping – also devastatingly powerful and beautifully written. It’s a contemporary story set in Arkansas about baseball, family, anger management and abuse.

My fuse might be long, but it runs hot. And when I have had enough, I don’t have the means to stop myself from acting stupid.

It treats the reader to dialogue in the captivating lingo of poor rural Southerners. In other words, it has a refreshing and captivating voice, along with sparse prose to which boys especially will relate.

There is something about his eyes I hate. They bulge out too much. And they’re too wet and slimy looking. And the smile on his mouth don’t touch those eyes. Nothin’ in those grimy marbles but malevolence.

As a coming-of-age story it explores, super-perceptively, what it means to be a young man. It’s about a teen boy’s anguish over whether he deserves how his single father treats him and his younger brother, and the contrast with how the world sees their family.

Pops is tense. Like a loaded animal trap, right on the edge of snapping closed on some poor critter’s neck.

Pops tore his hat from his head, slammed it on the ground. He stomped it three times and started yelling. Slobber flying from his mouth like a rabid pit bull.

I can’t forget. God knows I have tried, but I cannot. Been two months and all this stuff been swirling around inside me like the contents of a toilet bowl.

It all unfolds in the first-person point of view of Crawford, whose love and concern for his younger brother is especially touching. But Crawford needs to decide if it’s worth living in denial in order to keep up a front, and what that covering up is doing to him. Then there’s the pain of how and why his mother disappeared, and the fascination with a teen girl who has to handle her own gritty homelife. Bottom line: Cope Field is about the need and struggle to redefine manhood and become a better person. (T.L. Simpson’s previous novel, Strong Like Me, does the same with the equal talent.)

The lingo occasionally breaks up the tension with strands of humor:
Across the street, there is a small white farmhouse. Looks like it’s been there since before Abraham Lincoln was president with not a single person alive since then who gave a care about it.

The novel handles complicated emotions so deftly that it ranks as one of the best books I’ve read this year, and all in the fresh voice of a gutsy, relatively new novelist. As Kirkus Reviews’ Laura Simeon has said, “Young adult books… that unpack toxic masculinity in accessible and engaging ways that speak directly to boy readers are vanishingly rare.”

I do have words inside me. Raging around like wildfire. Burning up my insides. I wish I could siphon them out. Breathe fire like some kinda dragon on this entire room.
There’s goodness here. Underneath all the rough spots.

The writing is almost poetic, the raw scenes are relatable and the characters’ passion for baseball stitches it all together. The only criticism is a somewhat drawn-out ending, but one that is satisfying anyway.

In short, Cope Field is an impossible-to-put-down story, and a must-read for male readers of any demographic.
This review also appears at https://yadudebooks.ca/

[Damien Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

T. L. Simpson knocked it out of the park with this one (pun intended).

I am lucky enough to have never been forced into competing past my comfort level. My parents were disappointed but ultimately accepting when I chose to stop playing piano. But when you compete in any field, you can see how intense certain parents are their children's accomplishments, and this is exponential when the parent is a former competitor in that field. People brush it off as "tough love" but some of my grandma's stories about training for the NYC Ballet are actually abuse! And we need to be able to recognize the difference between healthily pushing your body, and actively hurting yourself.

Crawford Cope can't do that at the beginning of this book. He is the strong and silent type. He blames himself for failures that are not always his, and he is afraid of himself. He is a victim but sees himself as the aggressor. You know how they say the devil you know is better than the devil you don't? He spends much of this book rationalizing that living with a known quantity (abusive father) is better than the alternative (unreliability of foster care and separation of sibling).

The small town setting was so painfully realistic. I moved to a city when I was 13 but damn if I don't remember how weird rural Southern towns get about their sports. Hannah was also an incredibly realistic character - we all knew that one punk kid who didn't fit into the hillbilly aesthetic (or in some cases, we were the punk kid). Having each chapter titled after a song was so fitting. I made myself a playlist and it was so much fun having a mix of new songs and some songs that were total throwbacks. I haven't listened to punk in a while but now I'm right back in it.

Their relationship was sooooo well-written. I got tears during their arguments and went all gooey inside at the finale. They deserve some good things.

Simpson has made an excellent tribute to small town America, to speaking your truth, and to learning that sometimes your heroes aren't heroes.

[Gabballs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young boy named Crawford Cope who receives community service after beating his dad in the head with a baseball bat. While doing said community service, he meets a girl named Hannah Flores. Together, they learn about one other and Crawford tries to navigate through his personal life. As their friendship develops into something more, he learns how important it is to express yourself and what is true. Even if this destroys the only thing that is “true” to him; his life and family.

Heh I made “Crawdaddy’s Musical Education” playlist. Every song except for “Bleacher Creature Girl” by Isotopes is on there since it got taken down. Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CL...

I read the eBook and immediately placed an order for a physical copy last night before I finished it. I loved this book so much and it has helped me find my inner voice. It also helped me examine my consciousness as well while I read the parts of Crawford overthinking. I see myself in Crawford quite a lot throughout this book because I understand how it feels to be upset and not being able to control it. At the parts where he’s tempted to lash out and kind of does reminds me of myself a lot since I also struggle to control the way I act when I’m upset or mad.

I also kind of see myself in Hannah because there’s all these rumours about her being queer and she doesn’t like talking about it. I personally don’t really know what I am so talking about sexuality is slightly hard for me because if I don’t immediately tell someone I’m straight they’ll say “Oh my gosh you’re a lesbo.” And, I know for sure that I’m not 100% straight anyway.

This is genuinely a must read and I’m so sad that not many people know about this book (it’s so underground that there’s not a single picture about this book on Pinterest or any posts on TikTok).

[Kim Bartosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cope Field by TL Simpson is a powerful, emotional YA contemporary that tackles anger, expectations, and identity with raw honesty. At the heart of the story is Crawford “Craw” Cope — a teen known for his temper, but what people don’t see is the pressure and pain that boil beneath the surface. When he’s sentenced to community service for hitting his father with a baseball bat, Craw ends up repairing a rundown field… soon to be named after his dad, a former pro baseball player. Talk about complicated.

This book explores so much more than just a troubled teen. It's about generational pressure, unspoken trauma, and finding the strength to be honest about who you are — even if it risks everything. Craw's relationship with Hannah, a punk rock girl with her own set of issues, adds warmth and humor to an otherwise gritty narrative. Their friendship (and slow-burn romance) feels real and gives Craw space to grow.

As a parent, I found this story particularly moving. The portrayal of Craw’s father — a man who isn’t a bad person, but who loses sight of his role as a dad — felt painfully accurate. It’s a powerful reminder that kids need parents, not just coaches or dream-pushers.

Simpson writes with clarity and emotional insight. The pacing is strong, the characters are well-developed, and the message is one that will resonate with both teens and adults.

If you're a fan of emotionally charged, character-driven YA with depth and heart, Cope Field belongs on your shelf. I laughed, cried, and rooted for Craw all the way. Five stars.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the book and my honest review. Find more book reviews on my blog: https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...

[Estee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every January I look forward to building my “to read” list with all the Printz winners and honor books. Most of the books are not ones that I would pick out for my normal reading but they usually introduce me to new authors and genres.

This is one of the few times I have been disappointed.

I wouldn’t have picked this book for a few reasons. The cover. The baseball thing.

There are elements of the book that I liked. But this book covers a lot of heavy issues with no real weight. Drug use, violence, domestic abuse (to say the least)! They are there but they seem more like props. I don’t feel like Craw really understood the situations. And maybe rightfully so because he is a kid. But by the same reasoning is he able to go to college, play baseball and take care of Sutton? Seems like a big ask.

The relationship between Hannah and Craw also feels too easy and there are so many red flags girl! Is it just because they have community service together? Is it because she is the only one who listens to him? I can go on…

The last thing I will bring up is the plea and extra confession that Craw’s dad drops on everyone. Hmmmmmm. Like I said earlier, huge big issues that just seem like props.

I didn’t expect much from this book but I did expect something because it is an honor book. I’m not sure I would encourage a YA audience to read this. Unless it was used to encourage discussions.

[Trader (RedHotBlueReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sometimes read young adult / new adult stories for two reasons. First, when a story is crafted well, age group doesn't matter, and I like to read with my son and discuss. I selected Cope Field because of its sports theme and the description looked interesting. I'm happy to say Cope Field will be one of my most memorable reading experiences this year.

Crawford Cope is a promising young pitcher, mostly because his retired big league father keeps pushing him to follow his footsteps. The father is controlling and abusive mentally and physically in his ambitions for his sons. When Crawford is sentenced to community service for striking back at his dad, everything moves toward a frightening climax for the entire Cope family.

The story is told through Crawford's voice. He had my heart quickly in this story when he reveals his feelings to a new friend made at his service requirement. I loved him and Hannah together and my heart broke a few times for them during the story. Make no mistake -- there is great tension and some very adult themes at work here. At times it's very intense and had me on the edge of my seat, other times had my heart breaking for Crawford and Sutton. I just adored how he found love in the situation he was in. Yes, that's vague cause I don't want to spoil it.

I loved every minute of this story and will be looking for this authors future work.

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crawford “Craw” Cope is the son of former major leaguer Hunter Cope, a star pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals. Readers meet Craw on the day he hit his father in the head with a baseball bat. He is sentenced to only community service for his “anger management problems,”since everyone in Quiet County knows and loves the famous Hunter Cope. His community service? Repairing an old baseball diamond that will eventually be named after his father. There he meets Hannah, a punk rock enthusiast who is sentenced to community service as well. They are from the same school, but all Craw knows about Hannah is the reputation she has. Through their Saturdays together, Craw learns that they have a lot more in common than he ever thought possible. Hannah is a talker, but Craw is not; he keeps everything bottled up until he sometimes explodes. As life at home becomes worse everyday, Craw must figure out how to speak up before something disastrous happens.

An important read about the effects—both positive and negative—playing sports can have on a person. I hope a lot of people learn from Crawford’s story.

[Raven || The Reader Identity · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★

This small book packed a huge punch from start to finish. Craw is a teenage boy who suffers from abuse from his father, who happens to be a baseball legend in their small town. He knows no one will believe him so he lashes out in anger which ultimately lands him doing community service.

And of course his community service involves the local baseball field that’s being named after his dad, which doesn’t help the situation. But what Craw isn’t planning on is meeting a young girl, Hannah, that’s outspoken and blunt to a fault. She makes Craw evaluate his life and gain the strength he needs to stand up for himself.

As an adult who suffered childhood trauma, this book is both hard to read and undeniably important to read for kids 12 and up. I feel like the messages in this story will stand the test of time and help many children.

♡ coming of age
♥ childhood trauma
♡ blossoming friendship
♥ community service
♡ dark truths

{I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}

[Rachel Baack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Crawford Cope, the star pitcher of his small Arkansas town’s baseball team, has just been sentenced to 300-hours of community service for beating his dad, an even bigger MLB star and hometown hero, with a baseball bat. Crawford, convinced that his lack of anger management skills are to blame for the whole situation, determines to keep his head down, pay off his debt to society, and learn to keep his emotions under control, if not for his own sake then for the sake of keeping his family, which includes his eight-year-old brother, together. His plan is interrupted, however, when he meets Hannah Flores. Also the recipient of a community service sentence, Hannah is Crawford’s opposite: she is a talkative, edgy, social outcast who loves punk music and, after forming an unlikely connection with Crawford, recognizes that Crawford is carrying the burden of family secrets that he shouldn’t—and possibly can’t—carry alone.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know much about baseball (but, Go Dodgers!) so some of the terminology, like Tommy Knockers, made no sense to me. And I'm not a fan of dialect or poor grammar, but the author perfectly captures the Arkansas way of speaking and puts the reader right into the feel of that region.

Hannah and Crawford are likeable and flawed, living in untenable conditions. How they rise above it and the realities of their situations as it unfolds for the reader makes a compelling story. They are both amazing and very different characters. Shotgun, a somewhat minor but important character, had redeeming qualities that are completely unexpected. And who could resist Big Time?

I couldn't put this book down and the final climax was a real surprise.

[Paula Gleeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his sophomore novel, COPE FIELD, T.L Simpson has done it again—cracked open my heart and made me give a shit about books revolving around sports. I didn't think that was possible after such a powerful debut, STRONG LIKE YOU, but here we are. And for that I say: thank you. It is so rare to read teen novels with male leads that deal with trauma and toxicity in such a realistic manner, yet to do with it such heart and warmth is a true gift. One that this author has clearly mastered through his unabashed way of writing about characters with real-world problems who handle it in both a reluctant and vulnerable way. I will follow Simpson wherever he wants to take me—sports, trauma, and all.

[Brandon Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes our heroes aren’t heroes. And we gotta let them go”

In what is becoming a bit of a pattern with T.L. Simpson’s books, I had to have a bit of time to myself - and a bit of a cry- after finishing his latest book, Cope Field.

It’s a story about abuse. Anger. Punk rock and rebellion. A story about living up to expectations. And sure, some baseball.

Simpson continues to deliver, with yet another story aimed at the heart of young men in America. It’s another story that seeks to hammer away at the foundation of toxic masculinity in our culture. And he does a damn good job of it.

It’s a punch to the gut, but every page is worth it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the kind of book that is all-consuming. I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it and always eager to get back to it. Part of that is because children are in danger at all times, and a lot of that is because there is such heart here. Crawford, Hannah, and Sutton are all so real and so lovable. Really horrible things happen, both on and off the page, and the system is flawed but not broken here. Adults screw up and other adults come through and there is at least a small bit of redemption for even the worst of them. This was a hard read, but a good one. Have tissues nearby.

[Matteo Cerilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simpson's sophomore novel steps up alongside STRONG LIKE YOU to define a new age of sports literature. With a cast of complex and heart-wrenching characters, raw insight into the triumphs and tragedies of teenage masculinity, a no-pulled-punches look at life in the Ozarks, and a voice so authentic you could call it poetry, COPE FIELD strikes hard until the nail-biting finish. A must have for all the angry kids trying to find their way through.

[Erica Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my FAVORITE reads of this year. Cope Field is an absolute triumph. Simpson’s sophomore book is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story about a boy who loves big in spite of his pain. It’s about the courage it takes to proverbially kill your heroes and find your own voice, and while he tore me apart, Simpson’s prose also put me back together with hope and the possibility for healing. A must-read.

[LukaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book

This was my first read of 2024, and honestly, it was a lot better than i expected, i was expecting to hate Craw, but i didn't, i really liked him, and i also loved the relationship between him and big time. this sibling relationship felt real to me.

I did enjoy the relationship of Hannah and Craw, i think it was well written and realistic.

Overall i really did enjoy this book

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👦🏻 reviews: Crawford sometimes could be the friend you wanted to have or avoid. He is a typical adolescent who simply doesn’t know how to control his own emotions and anger. While reading this book, I was compelled to ask why he did what he did and how he didn’t control himself. Did Craw needed to meet Hannah to understand his thoughts and feelings can be expressed by thoughtful consideration or without any hesitation?!? Many things to ponder while reading this book.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crawford is on a path to become a professional baseball pitcher, just like his famous father. He has also inherited his father's anger and lack of ability to control it. Can he learn from an unexpected new friend and move forward with his life?

I really enjoyed Crawford's story, and I think it will appeal to reluctant readers. I'm not sure that the nicely wrapped up ending works with the rest of the story, but it makes for a positive ending.

[Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof, this is a tough read. Definite trigger warnings for abuse, murder, and addiction, so proceed with care. It is well-written, so I can see why it popped up on awards lists from 2025. It's not a story that I think teens will necessarily be drawn to, though, because it's such a heavy book. Simpson does some strong character work in this, as Craw's whole journey is a tough one, but necessary for growing up. Overall, I think I'm glad that this exists for those that might need it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Printz Honor Book. Not one I would have picked to read, but I couldn't put it down. It's also a book that I hope falls into the hands of young men (or even young women) who need it to help understand that there is often a relationship between sports parents and abuse. More than that, it's just a good book to read. Definitely should be in all high school libraries (and maybe even some MS libraries despite the physical and emotional abuse suffered by the two main characters.

[Mary Ellen Eye Lounsbery · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of THE best books I have ever read. It takes a hard look at some of the hard truths some teens face. A gripping tale of one young man’s journey toward adulthood. Facing up to life made hard by those who are supposed to protect him. It’s about how he ultimately uses the circumstances he finds himself in to mold characteristics that will ensure he turns out to be better.

[Beth Dettman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cool book. I really loved the main character. The story was interesting and the first person voice was engaging. The story deals with some dark subjects and handles them well. I liked the way it ended for the most part. I felt like it ended a little too good to be true. But I'm glad I read it.

[T.L. Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

dethrone your heroes!