Maniac Magee: Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

The next time somebody spots Jeffrey, it’s at the Little League field. Pitcher Giant John McNab has just set a Two Mills Little League record by striking out 16 batters. McNab is a huge 12-year-old who only throws fastballs. Kids shake at the thought of facing his pitches. Even though that evening’s game has ended, McNab is still making the remaining kids come up to bat, hoping to extend his pitching streak for as long as possible. He laughs as he tallies up the strikeouts of the humiliated kids.

Then, suddenly, a new kid appears at the plate. He isn’t wearing a Little League uniform. He sets down his book, takes his batter’s stance, and looks expectantly at John McNab. When McNab protests the “runt’s” presence, Jeffrey calmly borrows a red cap from another player and returns to the plate. McNab laughs and pitches, and Jeffrey manages to hit the ball to center field. McNab stops laughing. He lobs another fastball, which Jeffrey again hits. As Jeffrey starts hitting one home run after another, the kids on the sidelines let loose and cheer.

Finally Giant John excuses himself to pee in the woods. When he finally returns, his eyes are gleaming. When he winds up to pitch once more, everyone sees that he hasn’t pitched a ball at all—it’s a frog. Jeffrey bunts the frog and takes off around the bases. McNab can’t believe it, and by the time he finally pursues the frog—which is hopping down the third-base line—Jeffrey is on the way to a home run. McNab tries to herd the frog across the baseline so that it’ll be a foul, but the frog doesn’t cooperate. He can only chase the frog around the field as the watching kids cheer Jeffrey home. Jeffrey grabs his book and jogs off the field, with McNab yelling threats after him.