When a Little League coach wins a trip to Phantasy Baseball Camp, it sets in motion an unforgettable season with his beloved Philadelphia Phillies. Joe DiNatale, a thirty-nine- year-old insurance agent from Reading Pennsylvania, discovers that he has a magical pitch and through luck and circumstance receives an improbable try-out. Nobody is prepared to handle the instant rock-star celebrity and this average joe has to hold on to his home-town values for dear life. The ride gets bumpy during the All-Star break on and off the field, setting the stage for an unforgettable finish.
From the simple act of a child and parent playing catch, to the bright lights of a packed big-league stadium, John A. Hoda captures the game and how it can intertwine itself into the fabric of a family and a community.
We pick up the story where Joe's picture-perfect marriage is crumbling, wrecked by his only child's drug and alcohol abuse. His last days as a little league coach ends with a surprise at the sports banquet. Little does Joe realize the real import of winning the grand prize.
In a world where second chances are few and precious, follow Joe's remarkable journey for a baseball season like no other. You will want to come along on Joe's magic carpet ride when you see that it's more than just what happens on the field.
