Champions for Literacy

About the Book

New-to-the-game players will love this detailed, child's-eye look at the diamond and what goes on both on and off the field.

Author/illustrator Richard Torrey explains what it means to "play ball!" from the uniform to warming up, from field positions to ice cream after a "good game."

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Meet Luke!

Luke is a first baseman for the San Diego Padres

Louis Linwood (Luke) Voit III (born February 13, 1991) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the St. Louis Cardinals and also played for them in 2018 before being traded to the Yankees. By 2019, he became the Yankees' starting first baseman. Luke was originally drafted as a catcher and started 43 games at catcher in the N.Y.-Penn League in 2013 before being converted to an infielder.

Luke attended Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri. He played for Lafayette's baseball team as a first baseman and third baseman in his first three years, and as a catcher in his senior year. He also played on their football team as a fullback and middle linebacker. Luke received interest from NCAA Division I teams as a football player, but shoulder injuries ended his football career. Luke continues to have a strong interest in the sport of football to this day.

Luke attended Missouri State University, where he played college baseball for the Missouri State Bears for four years. After his senior year, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Luke in the 22nd round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. In 2022, Luke was traded to the San Diego Padres. Luke is married to Tori, who is a board-certified elementary school teacher and is an avid supporter of Luke’s literacy mission.