Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
CHAPTER 1: PLAYGROUND DREAMS
CHAPTER 2: ENTER THE MEGA-PLEX
CHAPTER 3: LET THE TRYOUTS BEGIN
CHAPTER 4: SWING, BATTER, SWING!
CHAPTER 5: THE CALL
CHAPTER 6: A TRAGIC TURN
CHAPTER 7: FROM THE BENCH TO THE FIELD
CHAPTER 8: GAME TIME
CHAPTER 9: LOOK FOR THE SIGN
CHAPTER 10: DOWN TO THE WIRE
Author Bio
Illustrator Bio
Glossary
Discussion Questions
Writing Prompts
Baseball Glossary
Explore More
Copyright
Back Cover
CHAPTER 1
PLAYGROUND DREAMS
Blake Easton was up to bat. He surveyed the infield, trying to find the right spot to advance the runner on third base and give his team the win.
“Let’s go, Blake! You got this!” Franklin, Blake’s best friend, yelled from where he waited on third base.
Blake grinned, then made eye contact with the pitcher, his other friend, Taylor. “I’m going to make it easy on you!” Blake shouted. “I’ll tell you exactly where the ball is going. I’m going to squeeze it right past second base, so you might want to shift your infield.”
“You can’t scare me,” Taylor retorted from the pitcher’s mound. He turned to the infield. “We’ve got him this time. Last out is at bat!”
Taylor signaled the catcher and wound up the pitch. Then he threw the ball over the plate as hard as he could.
Blake shifted his batting stance and swung. BOP!
Just as he’d predicted, the Wiffle ball blazed past second base. It soared into the outfield as Franklin raced home to score the winning run!
“That’s the game, guys!” Blake shouted.
Both teams shook hands. All the players congratulated each other after a well-played game at the park.
“You called it!” Franklin exclaimed, giving Blake a high five.
“Eh, I think he just got lucky,” Taylor teased, giving Blake a playful shoulder punch. “I’ll get him next time. I should’ve given him my Wiffle curveball. Nobody can touch that one!”
“Maybe. We’ll see next weekend,” Blake said with a smile. “Hey, the Summit Ice Cream Shop has a two-for-one special. Who’s in?”
Shouts of “Me!” rang across the diamond. Everyone grabbed their gear and started making their way out of the park.
As they headed toward the exit, Franklin noticed a flyer taped to the park community board. He wandered over to see what it was.
“Whoa! The Jefferson Mega-Middies—that traveling baseball team—are holding open tryouts!” Franklin announced. The other players quickly gathered around.
