Archetypal theory was applied to 21 contemporary young adult novels with baseball-related plot lines, published between 1988 and 2007. The primary purpose of the study was to identify those archetypes that appeal most to male readers, in order to help educators and students make choices in terms of reading material. The study was also conducted to bring greater critical attention to young adult literature, in general, and sports literature, in particular. Young adult baseball fiction was chosen as a topic because of its popularity with male readers. A three-step process for the study ensued. First, the characteristics of common archetypes found in young adult literature, based primarily on the work of William Brozo and Ken Donelson and Alleen Pace Nilsen, had to be defined. The archetypes used in the study included The Journey, The Seeker, The Warrior, The Junex Versus The Senex, Friends, The Sage, and The Trickster. Next, the sample of 21 novels, selected based on age appropriateness and quality, were analyzed for the existence of characteristics associated with the archetypes. Then, conclusions were drawn as to what primary and secondary archetypes existed in each novel. The results of the study found that at least one archetypal image could be found within each novel and that these archetypal images contained attributes particular to baseball stories or themes. Recommendations, based on these results, were then made to assist educators in helping struggling male readers make connections between these novels and their own lives.