Acknowledgements It turns out that writing a book is a team sport too A heartfelt thanks to all the Kidcritters who gave such wonderful feedback on this manuscript Special thanks to the gang at Summer Writing Workshops who helped me brainstorm the title Thank you also to Patricia Lee Gauch who worked with me on an early draft of this story I would also like to thank everyone at Fitzhenry Whiteside for the wonderful job they did bringing this story to life especially my editor Christie Harkin for her wonderful suggestions her warmth and her great sense of humour Most of all I wish to thank Craig Alex Chelsey Nathan and Haley for pinch-hitting with the chores when I had a deadline looming Your love and encouragement mean the world to me
For Chelsey my first reader
Chapter 1 7 Strike I shook my head and tried to concentrate The pitcher I gripped the bat with clammy hands It was the bottom of the last inning and the pitcher for the Bulldogs had a nasty drop-curve ball that would home in on my shin like a cruise missile I was still limping from the last time I came up to bat against him It was a great motivator Either hit the ball or be crippled The pitcher pulled back his arm and released the ball I jumped back from home plate with both feet as the ball whistled past my knees was grinning I was sweating Come on Clay The next one has your name on it I know Scott meant to say that I was going to hit the ball and not be hit by it but part of me worried my best friend had just jinxed me It would feel so good to connect with the ball and send it screaming out into left field so hard it would wipe the smirks right off the Bulldogs faces We were down two to nothing and I was tired of our team being a joke in the league A filler You know a team to practice on
