Trace the arc of Hank and Brian’s relationship, identifying key moments of progress and regression. How does baseball’s omnipresence influence their relationship, and what is the pivotal moment that allows them to build a firm friendship?

What kind of father is Cole, and why does he have trouble communicating with Brian? What does Brian think of Cole, and how do Brian’s views change when Cole briefly returns from Japan?

Why does the novel equate baseball with intoxication? How does the sport consume Brian’s life? Create an argument that characterizes this force as a positive or a negative element in the protagonist’s life.