How Far Do You Wanna Go?: The True Story of the Man Who Turned 16 Inner City Kids Into a Team of Champions

The East End of Pittsburgh is an urban ghetto of decaying buildings, teen gangs, drugs and violence. Dixon, who rose from that background to form his own computer consulting business, determined to do something to alleviate the despair he saw around him by forming a Little League team. He recruited boys aged 11 and 12 and molded them into a proud and cohesive group-The Next Level-by insisting on academic performance (they had to maintain a C average), responsibility and punctuality (no-shows and late arrivals at practice didn't play in scheduled games) and a sense of team loyalty. He also enlisted parental support and tried to keep outside gang interference to a minimum. With former New Pittsburgh Courier sports reporter Aromatorio, Dixon chronicles here the team's triumphant first year-they won more than two-thirds of their games and ended up capturing the city Little League championship. This inspiring tale chronicles the salvation of 16 youths. Photos not seen by PW. 20,000 first printing. (May)