“After dinner, we’ll work on short hops in the yard,” Grandpa said. “You watch C.J. and me. You’ll learn a lot more than bouncing peas.”
“Great!” Rhino said. “So … what is in the bag?”
Grandpa pulled out a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and a small container of sprinkles. “With all of this talk of icing feet, I figured we could ice our stomachs with some of this!”
Rhino couldn’t believe what he saw in the cafeteria the next day at lunchtime. His friends had made a poster that said WELCOME BACK, RHINO! Someone had drawn a picture of him riding a giant T. rex.
Rhino was smiling ear to ear as he took his seat at the table. He was so happy to be back with his lunch group. “Dinosaurs or planets today?” he asked.
“Planets,” said Bella. “We know you’ve been waiting for that.”
Rhino took out his PB&J sandwich. He had read more about Mars after doing his homework last night. He had lots of great information to share.
“What do you think Martians look like?” asked Kerry, a girl with long black braids. She usually led the discussions.
“I dressed up as a Martian last Halloween,” said a boy with round glasses. “I had a big green mask with giant eyes and antennas.”
“I think they’d look more like us,” said Bella. “Maybe smaller and with squeaky voices.”
Rhino knew that finding human-like beings on Mars was very unlikely. “If there’s life on Mars, it’s probably microscopic,” he said. “Very tiny.”
“That’s no fun,” said Kerry. “Why can’t they be like us?”
“Mars is too cold,” Rhino said. “And too dry. Not enough oxygen. Scientists have been exploring Mars for years with robotic probes. They haven’t found any signs of life like us.”
“Maybe they live in caves,” Cooper said.
“Maybe,” Rhino said. “Or way under the ground. But if there are any living creatures there, they probably live in the ice at the poles. And they’d still be tiny. Like bacteria here on Earth.”
The other kids looked at each other. Rhino shrugged. He didn’t want to disappoint his friends, but he knew a lot about Mars. “Those are the facts,” he said.
“No purple monsters up there?” Cooper asked.
Rhino laughed. “No, but it’s still a very interesting place,” he said. “Mars has two moons. And the gravity is so weak you could jump ten feet into the air.”
“I want to go there,” Cooper said. “Jumping that high would be awesome.”
“Dress warm,” Rhino replied. “The temperature is always below freezing.”
The boy with the round glasses spoke up. “Everybody talks about Martians as if they go around in flying saucers.” He tapped his finger on the table. “Let’s stick to reality in this group.”
“Agreed,” said Kerry. “I read something cool. If Earth was the size of a basketball, Mars would be like a softball.”
“Sounds about right,” Rhino said. “And Venus is almost exactly the same size as Earth. Slightly smaller, like a soccer ball.”
The talk quickly switched to Venus. Rhino decided that he’d said enough, so he chewed his PB&J sandwich and listened. It was so great to be back. His friends were funny and very curious about the world. These discussions had become a highlight of his school days.
I like this as much as recess, Rhino thought. “We need a name for this group,” he said. “Like the Reality Team or something.”
“How about the Truth Company?” said Cooper.
“Or Explorer … something,” said Bella. “Explorer Squad?”
“That sounds like a hiking club,” said Kerry. “It has to be a name that says what we are.”
Rhino had another idea. He listened to it a couple of times in his head. It sounded right. He took a big sip from his milk carton and looked around. “The Fact Patrol,” he said.
Everybody liked that one.
“We should get T-shirts with FACT PATROL printed on them,” Cooper said as they walked back to class.
“Cool idea,” Rhino said.
“Or baseball caps,” Cooper said. “With FP, like our M for Mustangs.”
“Yeah.” Rhino had forgotten about baseball during lunchtime. That didn’t happen very often. “Speaking of caps, do you think I should wear my uniform to the game on Saturday?”
“Why not?” Cooper asked.
“You know I can’t play.”
“Wear it,” Cooper said. “You’re still a team member. Don’t even think about not suiting up.”
Rhino was glad to hear that. He was so proud to wear his jersey with the big number 6. “What do the major leaguers do when they’re injured?” Rhino asked.
“I think it depends how long they’ll be out of action,” Cooper said. “You’ll only miss one game. We want to see you right there with us. Part of the team all the way.”
“Maybe I should dress up like a mustang,” Rhino said, laughing. “The team mascot!”
Cooper shook his head. “Funny idea, but I’d rather see you in uniform.”
“I was kidding,” Rhino said. “You know how serious I am about baseball.”
“So am I.”
“I want to be a major leaguer someday,” Rhino said. “Missing one game won’t stop me. And if that doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll be a scientist. An astronomer or a fossil hunter!”
“You can be both,” Cooper said. “Me too!”
“Reach for the stars,” Rhino said.
For now, he’d concentrate on baseball. But he was even more excited than ever about the Fact Patrol.
Saturday was cloudy but warm. Rhino walked quickly to the field. His ankle didn’t hurt at all.
There was a game going on when he arrived, so he sat in the bleachers with Cooper. “When we warm up, will you help me show Paul a few things?” Rhino asked.
“Sure. But I thought you weren’t supposed to throw or catch yet.”
“I won’t,” Rhino said. “But I want to give him some tips about those short hops. If you throw him a few hot ones, I’ll try to guide him through it.”
On the field, the batter hit a hard line drive deep into left field. Two runners scored, and the Sharks celebrated another win.
“That’s two wins in a row for them,” Cooper said. “They beat us in the last inning a week ago.”
“I think they’re in first place,” Rhino said. “But we’re pretty close. You guys need to get us a win today.”
Cooper stood near second base, and Paul lined up at first. “Put every throw in the dirt,” Rhino said. “Throw it close to Paul, but make that ball jump.”
Rhino told Paul what he’d learned from C.J. and Grandpa. “Try not to back away,” he said. “Move your glove toward the ball.”
Paul missed a few and got hit in the shoulder with one bounce, but he began to get the hang of it. Soon he was catching most of the throws.
“Thanks, Coach Rhino!” Paul said with a laugh. “I still hope you get back in the game in a hurry, but I think I can handle first base today.”
Rhino cheered harder than he ever had before. Each time the Mustangs got a base runner, he yelled for him to score. When Dylan struck out three Groundhogs in a row, Rhino met him at the edge of the dugout and gave him a high five.
But neither team was able to score. The game was tied 0–0 after two innings, after three, after four.
“We could use your power today,” Bella said to Rhino as the Mustangs batted in the top of the fifth. “One of your home runs would make all the difference.”
Rhino nodded. “Wish I could.”
Rhino did everything he could to help the team. He handed out water bottles when the players came off the field. He told Cooper to be a bit more patient at bat and not swing at outside pitches. And he continued to encourage Paul. So far Paul had handled all of the throws and fielded a few ground balls. But none of those plays had been hard to make.
Finally, in the sixth inning, Cooper reached third base with a triple. A minute later, Bella rapped
a single up the middle to drive Cooper home.
Rhino made a fist and shouted, “Yeah!” Cooper burst into the dugout, panting and sweaty. “Three more outs and we’ll win this game,” he said. “I didn’t know if we could do that without you.”
“Sure we can,” Rhino said. But we’ll be even better when I get back, he thought. Maybe we can win the league championship.
As the Groundhogs came up to bat, Rhino couldn’t sit still. He stood behind the dugout fence. He could smell hot dogs and french fries cooking at the refreshment stand. He was hoping to dig into that as soon as his teammates finished this victory.
For now, his focus was on the field. Dylan threw a few warm-up pitches. The infielders tossed a ball “around the horn,” from one player to another.
Rhino was more nervous watching than he would have been on the field. At least I’d be in control of things out there, he thought. All he could do now was watch and cheer.
Dylan struck out the first batter, but then things got tough. He walked the next one, and the Groundhogs’ pitcher hit the ball over Cooper’s head for a single. The other runner advanced to third.
Yikes, Rhino thought. This felt too much like last week’s game, when the Mustangs lost in the final inning. He glanced at Paul, who looked glum. Unless Dylan got a couple more strikeouts, there might be some tough plays ahead.
“Let’s go, Dylan!” Rhino shouted.
The pressure increased as Dylan threw a strike and two balls. Rhino kicked at the dirt. His mouth felt dry.
Crack! The batter lined the ball straight toward second base. It took a high bounce just past the pitcher’s mound, and it looked like it would be a base hit.
Cooper was ready at shortstop. He darted into the gap behind second base and nabbed the ball. He flipped it to Carlos, who stepped on second base for one out and swung around to throw to first.
The runner from third slid into home. That would tie the game, but the run would not count if the Mustangs could complete the double play.
The throw to first base was wild. Paul lunged to his left and the ball took a dreaded short hop in front of him. But Paul didn’t back away. He drove his glove toward the ball, scooped it up, and turned to tag the batter.
“Out!” called the umpire.
The Mustangs had won!
Rhino ran onto the field to join his teammates, who were surrounding Paul. Cooper slapped Paul on the back and whooped. Bella was sprinting in from right field with her arms raised. Even Dylan was jumping up and down and yelling.
Paul grabbed Rhino’s arm and pulled him toward him. “I never would have made that catch without your help,” he said. “Thanks!”
“You did it yourself,” Rhino said. “Great job.”
“Not bad for my last play at first base,” Paul said with a giant grin. “It’s all yours next week.”
“I don’t know,” Rhino replied. “You were the player of the game today.”
“I can do without that pressure,” Paul said. “I’ll be much happier out in center field.”
Rhino didn’t think he could be any happier. He wanted to play, but he also felt so good about seeing his teammates win.
In just a few days he’d be able to practice again. He was certain that the Mustangs would be the best team in the league when he was back in the lineup.
At recess on Monday, Rhino tossed a rubber ball back and forth with Cooper. His ankle felt as good as new, but Grandpa told him not to run or jump yet. Rhino thought back to the painful moment when he had twisted the ankle. Could it happen again?
He watched the other kids playing tag and climbing on the playground equipment. He wanted to join them. At least I’m doing something athletic, Rhino thought. He’d missed an entire week of recess. He knew that he’d be able to take part in baseball practice the next afternoon.
“Toss that here!” yelled a friendly voice.
Rhino turned to see Bella trotting toward him. He threw the ball and she jumped to catch it.
“My birthday is next week,” Bella said. “We’re having a team party after practice tomorrow to celebrate. It will be at the baseball field. At the picnic tables. Cake, hot dogs, stuff like that.”
“Awesome,” Rhino said. He’d ask Grandpa to help him pick out a present.
“Are you ready?” Bella asked.
“For baseball? I’m always ready.” But Rhino hadn’t swung a bat since the injury occurred. He hoped that there was nothing wrong with his ankle that would make it likely to get hurt often. He had read that one ankle injury sometimes led to another.
Rhino lifted his foot and turned it in a circle. Then he turned it the other way. He flexed his foot up and down. “It seems perfect,” he said. “We’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Easy does it, according to my dad,” Bella said. “He told me he wanted to ease you back into things.”
“That’s what I’m doing,” Rhino said. “Throwing a little today. Batting a little tomorrow. By Saturday, I’ll be all the way back.” I hope.
Rhino knew that thinking about the ankle would not help him at all when he tried to bat. He’d need to relax his mind and swing normally. Worrying about what might happen would probably keep him from concentrating on the pitch. It would make him strike out.
Rhino blew out his breath. “I’ll be ready,” he said, nodding slowly. “And I can’t wait!”
Rhino thought about batting all afternoon. That evening, he asked if he could swing his bat a few times in the yard. Grandpa agreed.
“I don’t think I could sleep tonight if I wasn’t sure about my ankle,” Rhino said.
Grandpa smiled and put his hand on Rhino’s shoulder. “No pitching,” Grandpa said. “Just take a few regular swings. That will set your mind at ease. The injury was a fluke, but we’ll be extra careful for now.”
“I’ll help,” C.J. said. “I’m an expert batting coach!”
They hurried out to the yard.
Grandpa told Rhino to make his normal swing a few times. Rhino imagined a home plate at his feet. He brought back his bat and looked out to about where the pitcher’s mound would be.
Rhino lifted his right foot slightly as he swung the bat. He stepped that foot forward and made a nice, smooth swing.
“Good,” Grandpa said. “It looked as if you stepped a bit out of line, though. Let’s see it again.”
“I saw it!” C.J. said after the second swing. “Step straight forward, Rhino. And no more than six inches.”
Rhino swung again, making sure to step straight ahead.
“Do you think that’s why I got hurt?” he asked. “From stepping to the side?”
Grandpa shook his head. “Probably not. But it’s important to do things right when you swing.”
C.J. reached for the bat. C.J. was left-handed, too, so he had his right foot forward when he batted. “Watch,” he said. He went through the proper steps. “Every time you practice a sports skill, you want to do it the right way. Think about shooting free throws in basketball. To be good at that, you have to use the same motion, every time. Same thing with batting.”
C.J. swung again. “Consistency. That’s the key. No matter what sport I play, the coaches always say to do things the right way, every time.” He handed the bat to Rhino.
“Just a few more swings,” Grandpa said. “Does the ankle feel all right?”
“Perfect,” Rhino said. He swung three more times.
“You’ve got it,” C.J. said.
Rhino gripped his bat tighter. He loved how solid the wood felt. Just right for him.
I’ll hit a home run on Saturday, he thought. Maybe two! But he was happy just to be getting ready to play again. It had been a long wait.
Consistency. His thinker would help him remember that. He knew that lots of practice would make him succeed. Not just in the next game, but for his entire sports career.
I’ll restart this season in a big way on Saturday, he thought. Bring it on, I’m ready!
Rhino hurried to the field on Tuesday. He was ca
rrying the present for Bella’s party, wrapped in golden paper.
First, he had baseball business to take care of. He was so ready for this after the long layoff. The wait was worth it, his thinker said. Be grateful for this chance. It’s smooth sailing ahead!
Rhino fielded a dozen ground balls, then caught a few high pops. Coach Ray decided to have the infielders work on double plays.
“We turned a great double play in that last game,” he said. “We wouldn’t have won without it. But if Paul hadn’t made that tough catch and the tag, it would have been a different story.”
Everyone got involved. There was a base runner on first, and another one to run from home plate to first. Coach hit the ball to either the shortstop or the second baseman. The one who didn’t get the ball covered second, and then made the throw to first.
Rhino and Paul took turns playing first base. Paul groaned, but he was a good sport about it. “There’s a great song, Coach,” Paul said. “It’s called ‘Centerfield.’ Ever hear it? It goes, ‘Look at me, I can be … center field.’ ”
Coach winked at Paul. “Of course I’ve heard that song! Don’t worry, Paul. Rhino will go back to being our regular first baseman. But everybody needs a back-up, just in case.”
The action was very quick. Every runner wanted to beat the throw to second, and sometimes they did.
Rhino took a turn, too. “Watch this,” he said to Paul. “I’ll be at that base before Cooper even gets to the ball.”
As Coach hit the ball, Rhino sprinted toward second. He slid into the base just as Carlos took the throw from Cooper. Carlos pivoted and threw it to Paul.
“Did I make it?” Rhino asked, kneeling on the base.
“I’m not sure,” Coach said. “What does everybody think?”
Everybody yelled at once. “Safe!” “Out!” “Safe!”
“Out, out, out!” Cooper called. He jutted his thumb toward the dugout and laughed.
“We need an umpire!” Rhino said, grinning at Cooper. “I think I was safe by a mile.” Rhino was always serious during a game, but joking around a little in practice seemed okay. This was one of the best parts of baseball. Grandpa always said to have fun.
Dugout Hero Page 3