Beyond the lessons about baseball that the Wildcat players learned, what did their experiences throughout this book teach them about life? What did they learn about themselves?

Did Tom’s Dreamsketcher somehow summon Cruz? If not, how did Cruz know it was precisely the right time to come and inspire the Wildcats? Is Ritter’s observation that, if Cruz had not existed, someone would have needed to invent him, a reference to Tom and his Dreamsketcher? Is it Tom or the Dreamsketcher that is magical?

Ritter portrays Dillontown as a moribund, perpetually declining community. Is it possible that what has happened—the Wildcats’ victory, the national news attention, the renewal of the ballpark, and the community pride—will turn the tide and bring renewal to the town? If not, what possibly could restore Dillontown’s vitality?