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Ballpark Mysteries #1
The Fenway Foul-Up
Now leading off the line-up—book #1 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark!
Thanks to Kate's mom, a sports reporter, cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins have tickets to the Red Sox game and All Access passes to Fenway Park. But as they're watching batting practice before the game, the lucky bat of Red Sox star slugger Big D is stolen . . . right in front of dozens of people. Without the bat, Big D can't seem to hit a thing. Can Kate and Mike figure out who pinched the bat before Big D and the Sox chalk up a loss?
The Fenway Foul-Up includes a fun fact page about Boston's Fenway Park.
Cross Ron Roy's mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed right at beginning readers.
Thanks to Kate's mom, a sports reporter, cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins have tickets to the Red Sox game and All Access passes to Fenway Park. But as they're watching batting practice before the game, the lucky bat of Red Sox star slugger Big D is stolen . . . right in front of dozens of people. Without the bat, Big D can't seem to hit a thing. Can Kate and Mike figure out who pinched the bat before Big D and the Sox chalk up a loss?
The Fenway Foul-Up includes a fun fact page about Boston's Fenway Park.
Cross Ron Roy's mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed right at beginning readers.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
107 people are currently reading
607 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 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 24, 2021
Really enjoyable! Good little mystery, just enough red herrings to create intrigue but doesn’t get silly. I like that the series focuses on a different ballpark each book so there’s a little history about each one. We aren’t really into watching sports so I imagine this would be even better for kids who are baseball fans.
We've since read almost every book in the series. This first book remains one of my son's favorites. He loves Big D.
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.
We've since read almost every book in the series. This first book remains one of my son's favorites. He loves Big D.
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.
July 14, 2018
This book is just like Key to the Treasure because it is a mystery. But this is about baseball, and I like baseball. The setting is in a baseball stadium, Fenway Park. The main characters are Mike, Kate, and Big D. The conflict is that Big D's bat is stolen. The message is that you can solve mysteries that are hard if you have a partner.
January 29, 2025
Rated 3 stars. Read with Libby Kindle.
#1 contemporary children's fictional baseball mystery set in Fenway Park, home field of the Boston Red Sox.
This is a series that I would have enjoyed reading as a 9 year old who had just discovered the joys of baseball. Unfortunaty I don't think at that time that our local library had any fictional baseball books.
Very fast, easy read that I was definitely in the mood to read. Only 1 more month until Spring Training! ♡
#1 contemporary children's fictional baseball mystery set in Fenway Park, home field of the Boston Red Sox.
This is a series that I would have enjoyed reading as a 9 year old who had just discovered the joys of baseball. Unfortunaty I don't think at that time that our local library had any fictional baseball books.
Very fast, easy read that I was definitely in the mood to read. Only 1 more month until Spring Training! ♡
April 17, 2025
This didn’t really do burning for me. Not that engaging and not much of a mystery. Wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like baseball. 3 stars
October 14, 2023
3 1/2 stars
June 4, 2023
I saw the answer to this mystery coming from a mile away.
June 21, 2016
A fast read (for me) and a good kick-off to the Ballpark Mysteries series. Each story appears to be set in a different ballpark. This first tale, about a missing bat, is set in Boston's Fenway Park. The lead characters, Mike and Kate, are cousins, who have traveled from their home in Cooperstown, NY to Boston with Kate's mom, a reporter.
At the end of this book is a section called Dugout Notes. Here, you will find some interesting information -- baseball terms and definitions, information about the ballpark where the book is set, i.e. for this story, Fenway's Green Monster, and more!
At the end of this book is a section called Dugout Notes. Here, you will find some interesting information -- baseball terms and definitions, information about the ballpark where the book is set, i.e. for this story, Fenway's Green Monster, and more!
August 21, 2010
I received this cute early reader mystery about two kids who solve the mystery of the star Red Sox player's stolen bat as an ARC. Excellent for what it is, not much else to say.
February 24, 2016
Connor read this to me and it was great! Especially because he liked it so much!
July 6, 2017
A chapter book that is ideal for summer reading, I mean, it's a baseball story and the key characters are cousins, Kate and Mike.
The fan fave batter for the Red Sox, Big D, has lost his lucky bat, in fact, it's been stolen! Right after batting practice!
Mike and Kate, a dynamic duo of sleuths, are on the case.
Dialogue is pretty authentic, setting--Fenway--is spot on and the clues and logic the cousins run through is solid and keeps the reader wondering and figuring it out along with them.
Illustrations in black and white have a dated feel to them but considering it's Fenway, it works.
Good intro book to this series. Kids will love the narrative and solving the crime!
The fan fave batter for the Red Sox, Big D, has lost his lucky bat, in fact, it's been stolen! Right after batting practice!
Mike and Kate, a dynamic duo of sleuths, are on the case.
Dialogue is pretty authentic, setting--Fenway--is spot on and the clues and logic the cousins run through is solid and keeps the reader wondering and figuring it out along with them.
Illustrations in black and white have a dated feel to them but considering it's Fenway, it works.
Good intro book to this series. Kids will love the narrative and solving the crime!
April 3, 2024
Two children at Fenway Park, Boston American at Oakland A’s.
There were two children named Mike and Tisha . Tisha‘s mom was the announcer of the game at batting practice big D hit it over the Green Monster when batting practice was over for the Boston American team someone stole big D’s lucky bat. Everyone was talking about it but no one knew who it was Mike and Tisha went to the sales lady when it was the Oakland A’s batting practice. Mike and Tisha thought they knew who it was and told the batboy for Boston American. My favorite part was when Boston had the bases loaded and big D was up at bat and he hit it up and over the Green Monster!
There were two children named Mike and Tisha . Tisha‘s mom was the announcer of the game at batting practice big D hit it over the Green Monster when batting practice was over for the Boston American team someone stole big D’s lucky bat. Everyone was talking about it but no one knew who it was Mike and Tisha went to the sales lady when it was the Oakland A’s batting practice. Mike and Tisha thought they knew who it was and told the batboy for Boston American. My favorite part was when Boston had the bases loaded and big D was up at bat and he hit it up and over the Green Monster!
April 7, 2025
I thought I had reviewed this book but apparently - somehow the review didn't post. O well.
The protagonists of this book are Kate Hopkins and Mike Walsh - who are cousins. Kate's mother is a sports reporter - so she takes both children with her to baseball games.
This game is centered at Fenway Park and is about the baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's.
Since these are sports mysteries book - the mystery is about the missing bat of Big D - his favorite bat disappears and Kate and Mike try to find it.
I really liked this book and am looking forward to reading the other 3 books in the series.
The protagonists of this book are Kate Hopkins and Mike Walsh - who are cousins. Kate's mother is a sports reporter - so she takes both children with her to baseball games.
This game is centered at Fenway Park and is about the baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's.
Since these are sports mysteries book - the mystery is about the missing bat of Big D - his favorite bat disappears and Kate and Mike try to find it.
I really liked this book and am looking forward to reading the other 3 books in the series.
October 28, 2017
The first book in the Ballpark Mystery series. It takes place at Fenway Park in Boston and Big D's baseball bat has been stolen during batting practice and Mike and Kate attempt to figure who might have stolen it. At the end of the book are some various facts about Fenway Park. I found it interesting that a mystery book that is geared for 2-4th graders had a "red herring" in it. I would recommend this series to any child, who is transitioning from easy (early) reader books to chapter books, especially if they like sports and particularly baseball.
September 27, 2019
Big D is the most popular player on the Boston Red Sox Major Baseball League. Big D’s lucky baseball bat got stolen. When Mike and Kate heard about it they started investigating right away. They thought it was the old man in front of them. However they later found out that it wasn’t him who stole Big D’s bat. The old man told them one clue that the photographer seemed to be doing something suspicious when he was in the souvenir shop. Mike and Kate found who the thief was. IT WAS THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO STOLE THE BAT.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2020
This type of early chapter book mystery was especially popular at the library this past summer. I thought this one was quite good! There were some red herrings, and the solution made sense but wasn't too obvious. There was some baseball action and descriptions, plus I liked how the end matter talked more about Fenway Park, a feature that presumably extends to all of the mysteries and their settings.
August 23, 2022
Was very pleasantly surprised with this book! I would have loved to read this series as a kid! I love how they are all independent stories but have a similar plot line, same characters, but set at a different ball park. I thought this was a very engaging first book that 2-3 graders would love. I thought the language was approachable and no bad words. Finally, I like how each book ends with fun facts about the stadium the book was set in. Highly recommend!
September 2, 2017
If a student is into baseball, then this series would be good. They go to different stadiums and watch different teams, and solve a mystery while they talk baseball. It had good illustrations and dialogue.
I read this because I received 10 of them for my class library. I wanted to know what they were about since I'd never read them. I like baseball so it was interesting.
I read this because I received 10 of them for my class library. I wanted to know what they were about since I'd never read them. I like baseball so it was interesting.
October 10, 2019
I would say this is a solid book. I like the mystery series. Fenway Foul-up was good because it had the Red Sox obviously. Mike and Kate go with their mom to Fenway because she is a reporter. They find out that the best hitter in the Red Sox, Big D discoveres his bat is missing. Mike and Kate help solve the mistery and find it.
August 5, 2020
I read this mystery because I thought it might be a fun way to find out more about Fenway Park. I was right. For instance, I learned that there’s a secret message hidden in the scoreboard there, written in Morse code. I thought this was a great kids mystery, especially if you’re into baseball. I can’t wait to read the next one.
March 24, 2024
A nice entry in the Magic Treehouse level of books, especially for kids who like baseball. The behind the scenes stuff about Fenway Park will appeal to those kids. I like the solid boy/girl friendship and the teamwork between the two. The mystery is tight - brisk enough for new chapter book readers to not get too lost in stray details. The spot illustrations will help those new readers, too.
January 17, 2018
I read this to my son. It was a decent little mystery with some nice red herrings. Not much in the way of character development, but it is intended for pretty young kids. I'm sure we'll read more in this series at some point.
September 8, 2018
The bat for a Boston Red Sox play disappears at batting practice, and the two main characters have to figure out what happened. As an adult, I almost figured it out before the bat even disappeared. As a kid (who likes baseball), they won't figure it out so quick and they should enjoy the story.
October 9, 2018
the cover on this one could really be updated, but the story and mystery was fun, and the facts about Fenway were really interesting. Would definitely recommend. Definitely more of a chapter book and less of an easy reader.
July 14, 2019
Pretty heavy on the baseball, but the mystery is engaging and age-appropriate. Full of little factoids that baseball enthusiasts will be able to use in their own ballparks and team fandoms. The decision to call the baseball star “Big D” is a little cringeworthy for adults, though.
August 12, 2019
This was a good mystery with a different setting than my reader has read before. The mystery was pretty basic.
Update: Luisa - It was amazing because I was able to figure out the mystery before they did!
Update: Luisa - It was amazing because I was able to figure out the mystery before they did!
July 21, 2021
A fun easy mystery for kids, especially enjoyable if your family likes baseball! But even if you don’t, they do a good job of explaining baseball-specific terms in the book and providing neat facts about the ballpark that the book focuses on. Our kids are looking forward to the next one!
June 13, 2023
I read this was one with my 8-year-old son, and it is certainly a perfect series for him. It's packed with baseball history and facts that we both thought were interesting. I give it 4 stars; he gives it 5. We'll definitely check out more books in this series.
May 22, 2017
very cute story
May 26, 2017
a quick easy read.
July 20, 2017
I didn't realize this was a children's mystery series till I started to read it. Still, I'm enjoying it. Already on the third book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews