In the novel, fathers are an indelible factor in their sons’ lives in both positive and negative ways. Deuker brings together two best friends who have opposite father problems: Seth has no father and Jimmy has way too much father. Jimmy’s father is so overbearing that Seth eventually admits he is torn about practicing baseball because wants to see Jimmy but does not want to see Mr. Winter, who is invariably with him. By the second part of the book, even though Mr. Winter’s access to Jimmy becomes limited by his separation from Jimmy’s mom, in both positive and negative ways, he still dominates Jimmy’s life. Meanwhile, the death of Seth’s father created a void that likewise dominates Seth’s life: The absence is a black hole around which every part of Seth’s existence revolves.

While Seth yearns for a father who cannot return, he is adamant that no one can take his dad’s place. He never views any of the men in his life as substitutes for his dad. At the same time, male figures teach him and empower him in various ways—they are father figures whether Seth sees them that way or not. Mr. Winter imparts athletic skills and demonstrates the dangers of alcoholism.