Twelve year old Simon Birch was born no bigger than a man's fist. The Doctors said that he wouldn't live through his first night, but he survived into boyhood. As a consequence Simon believes that God has singled him out for a special purpose. His best friend Joe is also a bit of an outsider: he is the illegitimate son of the town beauty. In the summer of 1964, the friendship is put to the test when Little Leaguer Simon hits a foul ball that strikes and kills Joe's mother. Unfortunately, the identity of Joe's real dad has died along with her. Together, the two friends try to solve the mystery of Joe's father's identity, and in the process Simon discovers the nature of his true destiny.