The Home Game

by Martha Bolton

Levi and John Troyer are twins, but they are complete opposites. John is a hard worker who puts faith, their father, and the family farm before everything else in his life. Levi’s total focus is baseball. Using a fence post for a bat, he often shirks his responsibilities around the farm, opting for a game of ball instead. When he’s not playing his favorite sport, he’s trying to win the heart of pretty Hannah Weaver, otherwise known as the “only Amish girl who can’t cook.” But when sports talent scout Phil Watson discovers Levi and his incredible pitching arm and offers him a chance to go pro, even Hannah can’t stop Levi from seeking a career in the majors, leaving their community and the Amish lifestyle behind. Sibling rivalry, untold secrets, broken paths, and plenty of surprises await the Troyer family as this story of a son’s dream and a father’s love unfolds. Can an Amish ballplayer make it in the world of professional baseball—and at what cost? Will Hannah wait for the man she loves? Will John ever accept his brother? And in the end, will any of the family finally make it home again?“Anything Martha Bolton writes, I read. Not just because she’s hilarious, but because she spins a great yarn that takes me to better places than I’d hoped to visit, places that nourish my soul. You'll love this book. I sprained my wrist turning pages.” —Phil Callaway, best-selling author of Laughing Matters and host of Laugh Again radio“A heartwarming depiction of Amish life, a woman’s love for her man, and a man’s love of baseball. Bolton hits it way out of the park!”—Beverly Lewis, author of The Shunning“Love baseball? Love a good father-son story? Then you’re going to love this fun and powerful novel by my good friend, Martha Bolton. After all, if an Amish man can run for president (as he did in her first novel, Josiah for President), then why can’t one take on the professional sports world? The Home Game — it’s got my vote!” —Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas, 1996-2007, Presidential Candidate, Fox News Host

306 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2016

About the author

Bob Hope's first female staff writer, working for the legendary comedian in the 1980s and 1990s. She has received nominations for an Emmy, a Dove, and a WGA Award. The author of 88 books, including her newest, Dear Bob... Bob Hope's Wartime Correspondence with the GIs of WW2, which was awarded the Christian Market Book of the Year and the AWSA Memoir of the Year at the Golden Scrolls 2021. She was also named AWSA Member of the Year for 2021. Martha is also a prolific playwright with shows playing in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Two of the musicals are based on her novels, Josiah for President and The Home Game. Martha has also written for Phyllis Diller and numerous other comedians.

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Home Game is a story about a young Amish man who loved to play baseball every chance he got. He made his own baseball field at the back of a cornfield. He improvised on his equipment. A sanded down fence post was his bat. Shoes marked the bases but he did use a real baseball for the games he played.
He was a very good pitcher and he could hit the ball too. Trouble was he was playing baseball or practicing his pitching or hitting when he should have been helping his twin brother with the chores around the farm. This caused friction between the two boys. John Troyer was all work and no play. Well actually someone needed to do the work and that someone sure wasn't Levi Troyer , his twin.
Levi's dream was to play professional ball one day. He also had a dream to marry his friend Hannah Weaver one day. Eventually a talent scout for the major leagues made his way to Sugar Creek and he got to watch Levi pitch and hit . He was very impressed to say the least, and he made an offer that Levi felt he couldn't refuse.
What would Levi decide to do? Would he go against his father's wishes and leave home to become a famous ball player? Would he walk away from the girl he loved and head out to fulfill his dreams?
I have always loved Martha Boltons books and The Home Game certainly didn't disappoint . She weaves in a rollercoaster of emotions for her readers. I laughed and cried and my heart just broke at times.
I also happen to like baseball, the great American sport!
You certainly don't want to miss out on reading this baseball treat. Martha Bolton makes this story come to life. As though you are there with Levi through the good and the bad! I highly recommend this story to all readers of Amish Fiction and baseball fans too.
I borrowed a copy of The Home Game from the local Library. All opinions expressed here are my own. I was not asked to write a review but was more than glad to do so!

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Game is a stand alone novel written by Martha Bolten that was also made into a musical play. The characters were absolutely lifelike especially Levi and John. Even tho they are twins they couldn't be more opposite. I loved the character Hannah. She is a strong, independent young Amish woman who doesn't let others opinions of her bring her down.

With baseball being so important to Levi he doesn't take his other duties seriously which causes problems between him and John. Although Levi's father, David, doesn't want Levi to play baseball he doesn't really try to stop him either. Could there be a hidden secret that Levi doesn't know about? What does John do to cause a total separation between Levi and his father?

In this story I learned things aren't always as they seem. Does Levi leave home to play professional baseball? If he does will he be able to handle the outside world? What will be Levi's downfall, beautiful fans, alcohol, or gambling? What is the final straw? Can Levi and John solve their decades old rivalry?

This is an excellent book for those who love the Amish genre and it has a different spin on the story. I highly recommend this book because it has a great storyline.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review and all opinions and statements are strictly my own. I have rated this book with five stars for an absolutely enjoyable story.

Congratulations to Martha Bolted on another wonderful story! I will be watching for more books by this author.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amish professional baseball player? An Amish woman that can’t cook, sew or quilt? Who ever heard of such things?

Baseball was always on Levi Troyer’s mind. He spent his time on the homemade dirt field playing ball instead of helping his twin brother John on the farm. John was none too happy about that either. Their father David worried about Levi’s fascination with the sport.

Hannah Weaver helped out in her parent’s bakery along with her sister Ruth. Bless Hannah’s heart, she just couldn’t get the hang of baking…or cooking anything for that matter. She loved Levi and spent as much time as possible watching him play ball. When a sports talent scout came into the bakery, Hannah told him where he could find the “best ball player” he’d ever seen.

Levi’s dream was to play for the pros but will he leave his family, community, and Hannah behind to make that happen? Will Hannah wait for Levi? A try out doesn’t guarantee making the team. Will Levi chance it?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and didn’t want to put the book down…you won’t either. It’s full of emotions…jealousy, hurt, bad decisions and the consequences of those decisions. It’s also a story of love, forgiveness and finding oneself again.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Great story!! My 2nd book I have read By her!! It was different than the play!! But still a great story!!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. fiction, baseball, Amish, "prodigal son"

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute Amish baseball story. The only little problem I had was the small little baseball calls mentioned were backward, balls are ALWAYS listed before strikes, not the other way around. Oh, and the play associated with the book is a good one. If you go to Shipshewana, go see the play!

[Nora Olmo]

THIS BOOK I LEARNED THAT THE AMISH DON'T TAKE PICTURES OR WEAR DIAMOND RINGS ..........SHE RIGHT INTERESTING BOOKS FROM THE AMISH CULTURE.....