“Can anyone try out?” Blake asked.
“It says they’re looking for players from eleven to twelve years old,” Franklin replied. “Little League experience not necessary, but recommended.”
Blake stared at the flyer. Should I go to the tryouts? he wondered.
As much as he enjoyed playing Wiffle ball with his friends, his dream was to play in a baseball league—someplace where the games actually counted.
Blake quickly snapped back to reality as Taylor looked directly at him.
“Dude, you should totally try out for this!” Taylor said. He seemed to read Blake’s mind. “You don’t have to play in Little League to try out. You’d be awesome.”
All of Blake’s friends knew how much he wanted to play organized baseball. But he’d never told them what held him back.
What if the other players just see me as a backyard athlete? he worried. What if they don’t take me seriously?
Blake shuffled his feet and sighed. “I don’t know . . .” he said. “Yeah, it’s open tryouts, but I’m sure the only ones who actually make the team will be all-stars or other Little Leaguers.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” Taylor argued.
“I just play Wiffle ball,” Blake said. “I probably wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Are you kidding? You’re the best hitter and base runner here!” Franklin exclaimed. “And I see you fielding baseballs that you throw against your house all the time. Not to mention practicing your swing with that portable training station your parents got you for your birthday.”
“I don’t know . . . ,” Blake said again.
“Come on, man,” Franklin said. “It can’t hurt to try out.”
“But what if I don’t make it?” Blake muttered.
“You’ll never know unless you try,” Taylor said. “If you make it, we’ll be there cheering you on. If you don’t, you’ve always got a spot on Wiffle Saturdays.”
Blake stared at the flyer again. He turned to look at his friends, then turned back to look at the flyer. Taking a deep breath, he said, “All right, I’ll give it a shot. Now, let’s go get some ice cream!”
CHAPTER 2
ENTER THE MEGA-PLEX
The following weekend, Blake hopped out of his parents’ car and raced toward the Jefferson Baseball Mega-Plex. His heart was thumping. It was the first day of Mega-Middies tryouts.
Blake had spent practically the whole week practicing in his backyard, trying to keep his nerves from getting the best of him ahead of tryouts. It hadn’t entirely worked.
Still anxious, he’d made sure to arrive early today. He wanted to have enough time to warm up and prepare for what was to come.
“Blake! Don’t forget your glove!” his dad yelled from the car window.
Blake ran back to get his glove. “Thanks, Dad,” he said. “It’d be hard to play without that. I think I have everything else in my bag, so I should be set. I’ll text you when tryouts are done.”
“Good luck and have fun,” his dad said with a smile.
Blake gave his dad a nervous smile, then sprinted toward the Mega-Plex. “This is the real thing,” he muttered to himself as he entered the building.
The sounds of baseballs smacking against leather gloves and the tapping of cleats echoed. Blake began to look for Diamond Two, where the Mega-Middies tryouts would take place.
After finding the correct field, Blake sat on the metal bleachers, pulled his cleats out of his bag, and started lacing them up. He glanced around to see what kind of competition he would be up against.
As expected, there were lots of kids he didn’t recognize. They’re probably from the local Little League, Blake thought. But he was relieved to also recognize some classmates from school who, like him, had never played any organized sports.
At least I won’t be the only newbie on the field today, thought Blake.
Blake finished tying his shoes, took a deep breath, and whispered, “I’ve got this.” Ready to warm up, he placed his bat bag with the others and grabbed his glove and a ball.
Now he just had to find someone to warm up with. Thankfully he didn’t have to look far.
“Hey, are you here for the Mega-Middies tryouts?” a kid asked. “Need to warm up?”
“Yeah and yeah,” Blake said, tossing the ball. “I’m Blake. Blake Easton.”
“Austin Tavares,” the boy replied. “What league do you play in? I’ve never seen you before.” He tossed the ball back to Blake.
“I’ve never played in any league,” Blake admitted. “I mostly just play with my friends. But I’ve been wanting to play organized baseball for a long time. I figured I’d give it a shot. Hopefully I won’t embarrass myself.”
Blake threw the ball to Austin, still warming up his arm. “How about you? What league do you play in?” he asked.
“Usually the city league,” Austin replied, tossing the ball back. “I’ve been on the Mega-Middies for the past two years as a bench player, though. Hopefully I get to start this time around.”
