Doug Swieteck

Doug Swieteck is the main character and narrator of the novel. He is in junior high school, in the summer between seventh and eighth grade, when the novel opens. Doug speaks both as a character in the novel and directly to the reader. When he speaks directly to the reader, the other characters in the play are not able to hear what he is saying or thinking.

Doug is a huge Yankees' fan and has met two of the professional baseball players on the team. Doug even receives a signed hat from one of them. His friend receives a signed jacket from one of the players and gives it to Doug. Doug is the youngest of three boys. He has an abusive father and a mother that takes what his father says and does. Doug is dealing with living in a new city in upstate New York...