Dugout Scoop – Ballpark Mysteries Books Fan Site

Q: What is the Ballpark Mysteries book series?

Ballpark Mysteries is a series of 16 children's mystery chapter books by David A. Kelly, published by Random House. Each book follows cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins as they solve crimes at famous MLB stadiums across the United States. Aimed at readers ages 6–9.

Q: How many Ballpark Mysteries books are there?

There are 16 main books in the Ballpark Mysteries series, plus Super Special editions. The series ran from 2011 to 2020. The first book is The Fenway Foul-Up and the last main series book is The Colorado Curveball.

Q: What is The Astro Outlaw about?

The Astro Outlaw is book #4 in the Ballpark Mysteries series, set at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Mike and Kate meet astronaut commander Nick Rice, who plans to display a rare moonrock at an autographing event. The moonrock is stolen and the only clue is a broken green feather.

Q: What age is the Ballpark Mysteries series for?

The Ballpark Mysteries series is aimed at readers ages 6–9, roughly grades 1–3. They are early chapter books with illustrations, ideal for emerging readers who love baseball and mysteries.

Q: What order should I read the Ballpark Mysteries books?

Start with Book #1, The Fenway Foul-Up, and read in order. Each book is set at a different ballpark and works as a standalone, but reading in order gives the best experience.

📰 BREAKING NEWS FROM THE DUGOUT!!!

BREAKING MOONROCK STILL MISSING FROM HOUSTON SPACE CENTER — INVESTIGATION ONGOING!!!

Hey everyone!!! Welcome to DUGOUT SCOOP — the BEST Ballpark Mysteries fan site on the entire internet (I checked)!! My name is DugoutDetective and I have read every single book at LEAST three times.

If you are here because you read The Astro Outlaw (Book #4) — YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!!! Astronaut Commander Nick Rice's moonrock gets stolen right at the autographing event at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The only clue Mike and Kate have is a broken green feather. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!

🔍 SPOILER WARNING!!!

Did you know Minute Maid Park has a REAL TRAIN that runs along the outfield wall? And there's a home run gas pump!!! The Astro Outlaw has a whole fun fact page about it.

I started this website in August 2000 because there were NO good Ballpark Mysteries fan sites and I thought that was totally unfair. All HTML hand-coded in Notepad!!! Email me at dugoutscoop@hotmail.com with fan theories.

⚾ SERIES UPDATE: There are now 16 books in the Ballpark Mysteries series! Use the carousel at the TOP of this page to browse and buy all of them on Amazon!!!

🕵️ MEET THE DETECTIVES: MIKE & KATE

Mike Walsh	Kate's cousin. Big baseball fan. Usually gets in trouble.
Kate Hopkins	The smart one. Her mom is a sports reporter!!
Kate's Mom	Gets them All Access passes to stadiums. Best mom ever!!!
Enemies	Thieves, saboteurs, and other no-good criminals!!!
Weapons	Sharp detective skills and love of baseball ⚾
Home base	All across America's greatest ballparks!!!

❓ BALLPARK MYSTERIES — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!!!

What is the Ballpark Mysteries book series?

A series of 16 mystery chapter books by David A. Kelly (Random House). Cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins solve crimes at famous MLB stadiums across America. Ages 6–9!!!

How many Ballpark Mysteries books are there?

16 main books (2011–2020) plus Super Special editions! Starts with The Fenway Foul-Up, ends with The Colorado Curveball. See the carousel at the top of this page!!!

What is The Astro Outlaw about?

Book #4! Mike and Kate visit Minute Maid Park in Houston. Astronaut commander Nick Rice's rare moonrock is stolen. Only clue: a broken green feather. Can they solve it???

What age is the Ballpark Mysteries series for?

Ages 6–9 (grades 1–3). Early chapter books with illustrations. Great for kids who love baseball AND mysteries. Also amazing read-alouds for younger kids!!!

What order should I read the Ballpark Mysteries books?

Start with Book #1 (The Fenway Foul-Up) and read in order! Each book is set at a different ballpark and works as a standalone too. But in-order is way more fun!!!

📝 GUESTBOOK — SIGN IT!!!

★ DodgerDave99 from California says: "Great site!!! The Astro Outlaw is my fav too!!!"
★ MysteryMike from Texas says: "I have been to Minute Maid Park. The train is SO COOL!!!"
★ BaseballBeth from Ohio says: "My class read The Fenway Foul-Up and we all loved it!!!"