Norma Hayes has always tried to make Christmas special for her family, but Christmas 1944 is especially difficult with her soldier son Glen away in Europe, and rationing and lack of money don't help. Teenage Dennis tries to buy his mother a special gift for Christmas as a symbol of times gone by and hope for the future, while Glen is reminded of home by the scent of lavendar on a battlefield.

Forced into an internment camp at the start of World War II, eighteen-year-old Yuki enlists in the Army to fight for the Allies as a member of the "Four-Four-Two," a segregated Japanese American regiment.

Recent high school graduate Rick Ward, undecided about his future and eager to escape his unhappy home life, joins the army and experiences the horrors of the war in Vietnam.

Seventh grader Ollie loses his self-confidence as a pitcher when his weird habit of talking to himself on the mound signals his pitches to the batters and draws the anger of some of his teammates.

As the Scrappers continue to advance toward the summer championship, Jeremy and his fellow players work to improve their baseball skills.

The Angel Park players are so nervous about winning their upcoming "big game" with Blue Spring that they mess up all over the place.

Members of the Angel Park community wonder where Coach Wilkins's loyalties lie when he helps players on rival teams before the championship baseball game.

Having been hit in the face by a ball during a previous game, Tracy tries to deal with her fear of its happening again as the Scrappers approach the baseball championship.

The Angel Park Pride must learn to play not as a group of talented individuals, but as a single unit, if they are to win the championship.

Sixth grader Jenny Roper, the Dodgers' star first baseman, suddenly becomes concerned about her reputation as a jock.