A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed!

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 3 — I’ve never seen I have my own résumé on a person’s résumé before Dad said when I was done But I worked really hard on it Good point It looks great Let’s mail it tomorrow I waited two weeks but nobody called It can take a long time said Dad Be patient I waited two more weeks and still nobody called I was beginning to give up hope The season hasn’t even started yet said Dad He was right Then I got the call The Porcupines wanted me to come in for a job interview I put on my best pants my good shoes a shirt with a collar and a snap-on tie You look great said Dad Remember to speak clearly and make good eye contact OK Do you want a ride No I’ll feel more grown-up if I ride my bike We lived really close to the ballpark I talked to the clubhouse manager whose name was Wally He had a big white droopy mustache that covered his mouth At least I could make good eye contact

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 4 — You have an impressive résumé Manager Wally said Thanks I wrote it all by myself Why do you want to be a batboy he asked I love baseball I told him You should see my room I have posters and pennants on all the walls I also have over five thousand baseball cards in binders They fill a whole shelf I love bacon but I don’t want to work on a pig farm replied Wally Yeah but being a batboy is fun I said Sometimes it is sometimes it isn’t said Wally It’s always hard work Have you ever done hard work I thought about the hardest work I’d done I’d pulled weeds in the garden I always did my homework on time I walked our spaniel mix Penny and cleaned up after her All the time I said Final question said Wally Explain the infield fly rule I knew all about the infield fly rule My uncle Rick told me about it Uncle Rick has told me almost everything I know about baseball I explained to Wally that the infield fly rule kept the infielder from cheating and turning an easy out into two easy outs I’ve always wanted somebody to explain that to me so I could understand it he said When can you start When school gets out I told him Dad had been very clear about that Great said Wally But no more ties Don’t you know that there are no ties in baseball

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 5 — No ties I repeated I could totally keep that promise

A Topps League Story #1: Jinxed! — page 6 — hy don’t we talk about our plans for the summer said our teacher Ms Singer on the last day of school Here was my chance to tell everyone about my job I hadn’t told anyone yet I was scared the Porcupines would change their mind I thought Wally might call and say Sorry kid we couldn’t wait for school to get out We’re bringing in a kid who’s dropped out But now I knew my batboy job was for real I would be starting the next day There was no game but Wally said I should show up and help unload the team bus I decided to wait until everyone else had talked before I told the class my news You should always save the best for last Who wants to be first Me Me cried Abby Yes Abby I have an acting role Abby said It’s going to keep me superbusy but it’s an awesome opportunity That’s great Ms Singer said Can you tell us more about it

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