Day 15: One Shot (up to 65)

Writing: 
1. "Maconites may not have agreed with his political or religious beliefs, or liked his teaching curriculum, but baseball was a common language." I want you to think about family or friends or others in your life with whom you share a common language. What is that common language and what does it transcend?

2. Lynn Sweet is a bit of an unconventional coach. Optional practices? Practicing with the players? Look back at your own life and write about an unconventional "coach" you've had. Why was that unconventional coach effective (or not)? What impact did that coach have on your experience?

Characterization (in groups w/text evidence)
1. The town
2. Lynn Sweet
3. Britton
4. Steve Shartzer
5. Bill McClard

Style
1. How would you describe Ballard's style?
2. What techniques does Ballard use to characterize people and places?
3. How does Ballard set up the conflict early on in the book? Is it effective?
4. How does Ballard use stereotype to his advantage? break from it?

Discussion
1. Looking at Ballard's early characterization of the team, what conflicts does this set up? What surprises? (p.35-41)
2. How does Ballard weave together evidence of promise and failure, and what is the effect of those pieces of description?
3. Ballard includes a number of side stories about Sweet. Look at one of them and discuss the added value of the details and story.
4. How does Ballard contrast Shartzer and Sweet? Be specific. Use the text.
5. p. 52: Heneberry characterization

**What themes are present in the book so far?
**What has Ballard set-up for the second half of the book?
**Passages that standout?
**Am Dream connections?