In 1985, a teenage boy named Rad spends his summer vacation at Ocean City, Maryland, with his family. Rad, who is a bit awkward and socially inept, discovers an arcade and becomes fascinated with ping pong. Through his love for the game, he makes a new friend named Teddy, who shares his enthusiasm. The duo often practice at the local Fun Hub arcade. Rad also becomes infatuated with a girl named Stacy, who seems out of his league, and faces challenges from a local bully named Lyle. His parents try to encourage him, but Rad's main focus remains on improving his ping pong skills.

As Rad dedicates his summer to ping pong, he finds an unlikely mentor in his quirky neighbor, Randi Jammer. With Randi’s guidance and his own determination, Rad begins to refine his talents. The rest of his summer holidays see him building confidence and forming special bonds while navigating the ups and downs of adolescence. The story beautifully highlights Rad’s journey as he strives for self-improvement and self-acceptance through a seemingly simple yet life-changing summer hobby.