GAME FACE Softball Surprise by Brigitte Henry Cooper illustrated by Tim Heitz Calico An Imprint of Magic Wagon abdopublishing com
ONE Bottom of the Ninth Crack The second the softball smacked against the sweet spot of the Louisville slugger I knew it was a double if not better I love the sound of bat connecting with ball how the shock waves travel down the body of the bat into my hands zinging my fingers with victory Only thing was I wasn’t the batter I was already on base Run Rana run I didn’t even hear the cheers from the background I calmed my mind took a deep breath and turned the noise into a quiet hum of energy It’s not often that I get on base So when I do I take it very seriously I’m working on my 4
batting skills But until they improve my trips to first base are few and far between It was the bottom of the ninth No outs My team the Dodgers was tied with the Cardinals One more run would win us the game and clinch our spot in first place at the end of the regular season A victory we had chased all year long As soon as Alana dropped her bat and headed for first I took off Rather than watch the softball to see where it landed I kept my focus on Coach Kim at third base If I was supposed to keep running she would let me know Sure enough as I sprinted toward second Coach Kim waved her arms in a giant circle the signal to keep running I rounded second and headed toward third feeling the thump-thump thump of my heart pounding in my chest Out of the corner of my eye I sensed movement on the field Flashes of red Cardinal jerseys zigzagged around me I ignored them and kept my 5
