Strike Out The Side

Strike Out The Side — page 1 — CHAPTER 1 Logan Parrish checked his watch for the umpteenth time that afternoon He could have sworn the minute hand had stopped working I’m so excited I think I’m gonna throw up his friend Annie Roger said She sat beside him and clutched an 8x10 color photo of Jasper Holt against her chest Logan placed both hands on her shoulders and gently turned her away from 4

Strike Out The Side — page 2 — him If you’re going to hurl please aim it toward Mason Hey Ben Mason stepped back nearly bumping into the boy standing behind them in line Logan laughed Then he checked his watch Again When is Jasper Holt going to show up he asked Any second now Annie answered impatiently The three friends along with most of Grover Lake were standing in the middle of Mega-Sports an enormous sporting goods store in the east wing of the Grover Lake Mall The crowd had gathered that day for an autograph signing for Jasper Holt a baseball player who grew up in town and had recently been drafted by a Major League Baseball team He was now honing his pitching skills 5

Strike Out The Side — page 3 — in the minors playing for a Double A team named the Lawton Catfish The crowd in front of them began to murmur and shuffle forward Logan who was tall enough to see over most of the crowd stood on his tiptoes Sure enough Jasper Holt had arrived People clapped Some cheered One woman yelled out Marry me Jasper Hey we’re just in time Logan heard Carter Cressman say from behind him He turned to see Carter and Gabe Santiago the remaining members of their group of close friends strolling over They held bottles of water in their hands Refreshments for all Gabe said passing out the beverages None for me Annie said I don’t want to spill any on my photo of Jasper 6

Strike Out The Side — page 4 — Logan rolled his eyes The line slowly began to move forward Logan was going to have Jasper sign a baseball he brought with him He reached inside his coat pocket and brought out the scuffed ball He wrapped his fingers around it fingering the stitching as if he was getting ready to pitch When they reached the front of the line and Logan was standing before the local celebrity he was uncharacteristically tongue tied Jasper sat at a long table looking up expectantly Uh hi Logan said Hey Jasper replied What’s your name pal I’m uh Logan 7

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