Who doesn't love a good story about the underdog coming out on top? Mudball tells the story of Little Andy Oyler of the Minneapolis Millers who was not an incredibly inconsistent batter but was also extremely short. Circumstance played in his favor on one particular game where rainy weather caused the ball to slip out of the pitcher's hand. The muddy field hid the ball, and Oyler had the chance to be the hero of the game. ( )

I really liked this story of the under dog. I think the illustrator did a great job of showing the gloomy rainy day. When reading this story I felt the excitement of the game and it was as if I was really there. My students loved the anticipation presented in this story. Everyone wanted to know if he would score and make it home. Overall, it was a really fun read aloud. ( )

Andy Oyler was a young man who in the early 1900's he hit his very first home-run that won the game. Oyler played for the Minneapolis Millers. His teammates didn't seem to believe in him, which made Andy not believe in himself. Andy saw the pitcher throw the ball, but because of the rain it slipped and was headed straight for little Andy's head. The use of the word "CRACK!" helped the reader imagine what was going on. With a little faith, anything can happen. Good things come to those who wait. The setting of this story helps the reader understand the time period that this story takes place in. The illustrations also help the reader understand the time period. ( )

This story of Andy Oyler and the shortest home run in history was entertaining and enjoyable. I'd never heard the story before, but as a baseball fan, I was engaged from page one. This is the sort of story that anyone who knows or plays the game could enjoy. ( )

Who doesn't love a good baseball story? ( )