“Oh,” Blake said. Hearing that, his nerves kicked into high gear. Austin had way more experience than he did.
“You’ll do fine,” Austin assured him. “If you have questions, ask me. We’re all here to bring out the best in each other and help one another. Better teammates make for a better team.” He smiled.
“Thanks,” Blake replied. He smiled gratefully, feeling better about his decision to try out.
Just then an older man who Blake assumed was the coach appeared. He blew his whistle to signal everyone to bring it in.
Austin threw Blake one final warm-up toss. “If you can make it through today’s tryouts, you’ve got a good shot to make the team,” he said. “But Coach Sweatt can be tough. It’s not going to be easy.”
CHAPTER 3
LET THE TRYOUTS BEGIN
Coach Sweatt’s whistle echoed. “Circle up, boys!” he shouted.
The hopeful Mega-Middies recruits huddled up.
“I’m glad to see so many eager faces here today,” the coach began. “But here’s the deal: there are thirty-five of you and only fifteen roster spots. If you want to make this team, you gotta have heart, hustle, determination, and proper conditioning. Let’s get started!”
The players cheered as Coach Sweatt blew his whistle again.
“Let’s run some laps!” Coach shouted. “Everyone line up at home plate. When I blow the whistle, run the perimeter of the entire field until I tell you to stop!”
Blake and Austin gathered with the others at home plate.
“This is where Coach finds out who’s serious about being a part of the team. Just keep a steady pace with me, OK?” Austin said as they tapped gloves.
“OK.” Blake nodded.
Just then one of the other players in the huddle walked over. “You out here trying to help the newbies?” the boy said to Austin. He looked over at Blake and sneered. “I’ve seen you at the park playing Wiffle ball. You might be a backyard all-star, but you don’t stand a chance here. Especially not with me around.”
“Whatever, Kyle,” Austin scoffed. “Maybe you should just worry about not having another ‘leg cramp’ during conditioning drills like last year.” Austin made air quotes when he said “leg cramp.”
“Maybe you should worry about eating my dust!” Kyle sneered, walking away.
“He seems pleasant,” Blake said sarcastically.
Austin rolled his eyes. “That’s Kyle. His dad’s the third-base coach, so he thinks he can do whatever he wants,” he said. “He’s a good player, but he’s annoying.”
PHWEEEEEEEET!
“Let’s go, get those laps in! Go!” Coach Sweatt yelled.
The players started running. Blake kept pace with Austin as they ran past first base, around the outfield, and down the third-base line with the others.
After the third lap, some kids started slowing down. After the fifth lap, a few staggered off the field in defeat. After the eighth lap, two more quit. Blake continued to run next to Austin.
After the tenth lap, Coach Sweatt let out another PHWEEEEEEEET! from his whistle. “All right, that’s enough!” he called. “Bring it in.”
The remaining players jogged slowly in and caught their breath. Coach did a quick head count.
“Started with thirty-five, and now we’re down to twenty-five. Making this team isn’t easy. Go take a water break, and then we’ll start with infield and outfield drills,” Coach said.
After their break, the remaining players were separated into groups. One coach took the pitchers, another took the outfielders, and Coach Sweatt was left with the infielders—including Austin, Blake, and Kyle.
“Austin to shortstop, Kyle to third, Tracy to first,” Coach said. “You, what’s your name?” He pointed straight at Blake.
Blake tried to look—and sound—confident. “Blake Easton, Coach.”
“Can you play second, Blake?” the coach asked.
“I’ll play anywhere, Coach,” Blake replied. “I just want a chance to play.”
Coach Sweatt smiled. “I like your attitude, kid. Take second.”
“Hey!” Kyle exclaimed. “That’s my position! Why are you putting him there, Coach? I bet he doesn’t even know the position!” Kyle glared at Blake.
“Worry about playing third, Kyle. You’ll get your chance,” Coach Sweatt said sternly.
Without waiting for a reply, Coach headed for home plate. The players all hurried to their assigned positions.
Coach Sweatt picked up a bat in one hand and a ball in the other. “OK, we’ve got a runner at first and no outs. Here we go!” he shouted.
Crack!
The ball whizzed toward second base. Blake quickly snatched it in his glove and tossed it to Austin. Austin winged it to first to turn it into a double play.
