How high can Joe Matson climb in the baseball world?Starting out by playing for his hometown sandlot team, Joe - through ability and pluck - has made it through his boarding school team, the top nine at Yale, the minor leagues, and now the big leagues.He's a star. Where does he go from here?Joe Matson is just an ordinary kid in a typical Midwestern town. He loves to play baseball and wants to make it onto the local nine, but his every step finds obstacles in the way. Joe wants to pitch, but the team has a star pitcher already who is reluctant - to say the least - to give up his position to this fresh-faced newcomer. But Joe perseveres, occasionally getting a lucky break, but more often having to rely on his own resources to reach his goal.As he reaches one goal, he then tackles the next one - making it to Yale and playing for the college team, then becoming a professional, later getting into the big leagues, and finally making it to the top of the baseball world.It is what they used to call "pluck."Joe has plenty of that as he gradually becomes Baseball Joe. In this volume, Joe stretches himself to become a truly complete baseball player - not just a star pitcher. He's a hitter, too, and he's out to prove himself to be the best. Joe is just competing against himself, however. There are forces that want to see Joe beaten, and they'll stop at nothing to see that that happens.You can follow Baseball Joe's progress as he ascends the heights of his baseball glory with exciting and surprising adventures along the way. First Inning Press is proud to introduce these new editions of Baseball Joe's exploits in a six-volume set. Once you read one of them, you will want to read them all.For the boy in your life - maybe that boy is you - these are the perfect companions - simple tales that are accessible and easy-to-read. Give the gift of reading to the person you care about today.__The genius behind the Baseball Joe books was Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930), a New Jersey born writer who was creative and prolific. As a teenager, Stratemeyer has his own printing press and understood the printing and distribution process intimately. He began writing stories then but didn't sell his first story to a magazine until he was 26. In 1899, Stratemeyer published the first of his Rover Boys series, which became widely popular. Stratemeyer did not invent the series formula, but he recognized its potential, and in 1905, he formed the Stratemeyer Literary Syndicate through which he hired journalists to write stories based on his ideas and outlines. He would pay his writers a flat fee and keep the copyright for himself. Thus was born series such as The Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, and Nancy Drew. Baseball Joe never reached the cultural status as these other series, possibly because of their specialized setting - the world of baseball - but they are nevertheless a pleasant and entertaining set that will continue to delight young readers.Stratemeyer lived a quiet life with this family in New Jersey and never sought publicity for himself. He also made a ton of money. After his death, Stratemeyer's work continued, and his legacy entertained millions of young readers even into the twenty-first century. We hope that legacy will continue well into this century.First Inning Press has done very little editing to the text, believing they should be preserved as they were a century ago. We have added illustrations, however, that we hope will enhance the reading experience of all, young and old, who open these pages.

Joe Matson fends off the vultures of the upstart "All-Star League" and draws closer to the heart and hand of the lovely Mabel Varley as he leads the Giants on a round-the-world baseball tour.

"Baseball Joe Home Run King" is another installment in the "Baseball Joe" series written by Lester Chadwick. This book continues the story of Joe Matson, a talented young baseball player, as he faces new challenges and adventures in his baseball career. In "Baseball Joe Home Run King," Joe Matson's reputation as a skilled and dedicated player continues to grow. As the title suggests, the story focuses on Joe's pursuit of becoming a home run king—a player known for hitting impressive home runs during games. Throughout the book, readers follow Joe's journey as he works hard to improve his batting skills, overcome obstacles, and contribute to his team's success. The novel delves into the world of baseball strategy, training, and competition. Readers are treated to detailed descriptions of games, practices, and Joe's interactions with teammates, coaches, and opponents. As Joe faces both triumphs and setbacks, he learns important lessons about perseverance, sportsmanship, and the value of teamwork. "Baseball Joe Home Run King" not only captures the excitement of baseball games but also explores the personal growth and development of its characters. Through Joe's experiences, readers witness his evolution as a player and as a person, making the book a compelling coming-of-age story set within the context of sports. As with other books in the series, "Baseball Joe Home Run King" emphasizes the positive impact of sports on character development and highlights the values of hard work, determination, and dedication. The story serves as both an engaging sports narrative and a reflection on the qualities that contribute to success in athletics and in life.

Joe Matson of the Bulldogs overcomes a dastardly attempt by a senior rival to blacken his name at Yale, and goes on to pitch the Elis over Princeton in the championship game at the Polo Grounds.