Every kid who's ever crushed a home run in a video game has wondered: what if those skills actually worked in real life? Jared Richards is about to find out.
Jared lives in a world where his baseball skills exist only on screen. He's undefeated in virtual games, with reflexes honed by countless hours with a controller in hand. But when a bet with his best friend backfires, Jared's couch-potato existence gets interrupted by something terrifying: real baseball tryouts. The problem? He's never even held a real baseball glove before.
Against all odds, Jared discovers something incredible. His virtual baseball experience has given him a unique perspective on pitching mechanics and strategy that translates to the real diamond. Suddenly, the kid who thought sports were just pixels is impressing coaches with his control and understanding of the game. But there's a catch.
The line between Jared's gaming world and reality starts to blur in dangerous ways. He finds himself thinking in terms of power-ups and special moves instead of fundamental baseball skills. Can he sort out this "glitch" before the big game that could make or break his season? This Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novel explores what happens when digital confidence meets real-world pressure.
Whether your child loves baseball, video games, or stories about finding unexpected strengths, this graphic novel delivers relatable characters and exciting sports action. It's a tale about believing in yourself even when you're stepping far outside your comfort zone, and discovering that sometimes the skills we think are "just for fun" can be our greatest assets when we need them most.
