Embarrassed because he has no shoes, Felix is an extremely shy kidexcept when hes playing baseball. The son of a poor sugarcane worker, he is a dependable youngster who cares for his uncles roosters and delivers fruit to market for a neighbor. In the Army he corresponds with a girl hes never met. Two years later they marry and together pursue his dream of a baseball career. Overcoming language and racial barriers, he becomes one of the games toughest batters to strike out in the 1970s. Moving to Japan in the 80s, he makes a life-changing leap of faith.