Stolen Bases

by Jake Maddox

  Becca frowned, but she did what her coach said. She quickly tossed her glove toward the shed. Then she started running laps around the diamond with Eva.

  “Can you believe the bag is gone again?” Eva asked.

  “I know,” Becca said. “It’s sort of scary. But I have this weird feeling that the person will bring the bag back again.”

  Eva shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said. “I think Coach is right. Whoever took the bag felt guilty the first time. That’s why they brought it back. But then they decided they really did want our stuff. The person must be really mean to steal a softball team’s equipment.”

  “Especially before a game,” Becca said sadly. “Good thing you had stuff at your house.”

  “I know!” Eva replied. “What if I’d left it in the storage shed?”

  After warm-ups, the team practiced hitting. That was always one of Becca’s favorite things. As she waited for her turn to bat, Becca thought she saw the unfamiliar blond girl hanging around by the fence, but she didn’t have time to look more closely.

  After she was done batting, Becca looked again, but the strange girl was gone.

  As they stood in line to hit again, Becca whispered, “Eva, I think we should have another stakeout tonight.”

  “Why?” asked Eva. “We fell asleep during the last one, and we didn’t catch the thief. Maybe we could do it tomorrow.”

  “No, I think we have to do it tonight,” said Becca. “I have an idea about the bag. Do you think your brother would set the tent up for us again?”

  Eva frowned. But before she could say anything, Coach Jones blew her whistle. “Let’s go!” Coach called.

  “I’ll explain after practice,” Becca told her friend as quietly as she could. “I promise. I’ll come over around eight.”

  CHAPTER 7

  SECOND STAKEOUT

  After practice, Becca rode her bike home. Then she ran down the hall to her room. She quickly threw some clean clothes and her softball uniform into a bag.

  “What’s wrong, Becca?” asked her mom, sounding worried.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” said Becca. “I’m just in a hurry. Can I sleep over at Eva’s again tonight? I think I figured out what’s going on with our equipment.”

  Her mom raised her eyebrows. ”Sure,” she said. “It’s after dark now. Why don’t I give you a ride to Eva’s?”

  “Thanks!” said Becca. She hadn’t been looking forward to the bike ride in the dark.

  When they pulled up in front of Eva’s house, the tent was already set up outside.

  Becca started to get out of the car. “See you later,” she said. She waved as her mother drove away.

  After she tossed her bag into the tent, Becca walked across the lawn. But as she stepped onto the sidewalk, she heard a strange noise.

  It sounded like it was coming from the softball field across the street. In fact, it sounded like it was coming from the equipment shed!

  “Eva!” Becca yelled. “Eva, come outside!”

  Eva opened the door. “What is going on?” she asked.

  “Someone’s in the shed!” whispered Becca.

  “Right now?” asked Eva.

  Becca nodded. “We have to go check it out,” she said. She paused, and then added, “I think I know who it is.”

  “I don’t think it’s safe for us to go over there, Becca,” Eva said.

  “It is,” said Becca. “You’ll see.”

  They tiptoed over the lawn and across the street. When they reached the shed, Becca took a deep breath. Then she threw open the door.

  CHAPTER 8

  HALEY

  The blond girl inside the shed dropped the equipment bag and screamed. Balls and bats rolled loudly all over the floor. Eva held on to the flashlight, but she screamed too.

  After the screaming ended, the silence in the shed felt heavy. Finally, Becca spoke. “Hi,” she said. “My name is Becca.” Then she pointed to Eva and said, “This is my friend Eva.”

  The blond girl had big brown eyes and a friendly face. She smiled nervously. “Um, hi,” she said. “My name is Haley, and my family just moved to town. I played softball at my old school, but I didn’t know anyone here and my stuff is still in a box, so I’ve just been borrowing yours so I could practice because I really love softball and I really miss playing.”

  Becca let out a big breath. Eva bent down to pick up the softballs that had rolled away when Haley dropped the bag.

  Haley took a deep breath and looked at Becca and Eva. Becca could see that there were tears in her eyes.

  “I just wanted to play softball, but I’m so shy. And you’re all such good players,” Haley added in a shaky voice.

  Then Haley whispered, “Are you going to call the police?”

  As calmly as she could, Becca said, “We’re not calling the police. But we should get back to Eva’s house in case her parents heard all that screaming.” Eva and Haley giggled.

  Eva pointed and said, “My house is just across the street. Come with us and tell us everything.”

  The girls headed back across the street. Inside Eva’s house, they sat at the kitchen table. Haley told them her story.

  “After I finished the school year,” she began, “my parents moved us here. We actually live on the other side of the field from you, Eva.”

  “Cool!” Eva said. “We’re neighbors!”

  Haley went on, “It was too late to register and try out, but I still really wanted to play. I’ve been borrowing and returning the bag so I could practice with my brother. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

  Becca decided she liked Haley. Haley hadn’t been trying to wreck the team’s chances after all. She’d just wanted to play softball.

  Then Eva smiled and asked, “Do you think your parents would let you spend the night here in the tent with Becca and me?”

  “Really?” Haley asked. “You want me to spend the night? You’re not mad?”

  “Mad?” asked Becca. “Not at all! We could really use you on the team! I mean, Coach Jones will probably want you to try out, but I’m sure you’ll make it.”

  Haley looked like she couldn’t believe her ears. Eva added, “It’s not like you kept the equipment. We didn’t end up missing practice or anything.”

  Then Becca said, “And we have a game here tomorrow. I bet you could help Coach with stats and stuff until you can try out on Monday.”

  Haley looked down at her shoes. Her hair fell in her face. “I hope,” she said quietly. “I hope your coach will understand.”

  CHAPTER 9

  CONFESSION

  The next morning, Eva’s mom unzipped the tent’s entrance. “Wake up!” she said.

  “What time is it?” groaned Eva.

  “It’s eight thirty,” said Eva’s mom. “But I ran into Coach Jones at the grocery store. I told her about Haley, and she wants her to try out this morning so she can play in the game this afternoon.”

  “What?” said Haley, sitting up in her sleeping bag.

  All three girls were wide awake.

  “Yes,” said Eva’s mom. “Ashley’s family is on vacation, so that leaves nine players.”

  “But nine is enough to play,” Haley said.

  Eva’s mom smiled. “It’s enough to play, but Coach Jones said that she’ll need someone to help her and to play if someone gets hurt,” she explained. “Come on, get up. You’ll eat breakfast and then you can run home to change, Haley. You need to meet Coach on the field at 11 o’clock sharp!”

  * * *

  After breakfast, Haley headed home to change her clothes. Eva and Becca changed into their softball uniforms. They sat together on the porch, waiting for their new friend to come back.

  “Poor Haley,” said Eva. “It would be so hard to move and leave all of your friends and not be able to play softball! I hope Coach lets her play with us today.”

  “Me too,” said Becca.

  They were silent for a few moments. Then Eva asked, “How did you know she was
the one borrowing the bag?”

  “Well, I kept seeing her every day while we were at practice,” said Becca. “She was always watching us, but no one seemed to recognize her. And when the bag came back and you said it seemed like someone was borrowing it, I just started thinking.”

  In a few minutes, Haley was back. The three girls headed over to the field. They arrived at the dugout at the same time that Coach Jones walked up.

  “You must be Haley,” Coach Jones said.

  Haley smiled nervously and took a deep breath. “I am,” she said. “But before you let me try out, I need to tell you something.” She looked at Becca. Becca nodded at her.

  “What is it?” Coach Jones asked.

  Haley took another deep breath. “Well,” she began, “I’m the one who took the equipment bag.”

  Coach Jones looked shocked. “What do you mean?” she asked.

  Haley looked at the ground. “I never meant to keep it,” she said. “I only wanted to borrow it. And two times, I wasn’t able to get it back here in time before you started practice. I’m really sorry.”

  Coach frowned. “I’m really sorry to hear that,” she said. “Why did you do it?”

  Haley quickly answered, “I just wanted to practice. I moved here too late to sign up for softball, and I knew I had to keep practicing if I wanted to be on the team during the school year. I never meant to destroy practice for the team. I’m so sorry.”

  Coach was quiet. After what felt like forever, she gave Haley a small smile.

  “All right, Haley,” she said. “If you impress me in your tryout, you can be on the team. You’ll have to sit out the first two games and just help me. What do you think?”

  Haley’s eyes grew wide. “Do you mean it?” she whispered. “You’ll let me be on the team even though I screwed up?”

  Coach laughed. “Yes, Haley,” she said. “Now, let’s see how you play!”

  CHAPTER 10

  THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!

  The first thing Coach had Haley do was run around the bases. Haley ran as fast as she could while Coach timed her and Eva and Becca cheered. Becca was surprised to see how fast Haley was, even though she was shorter than Eva.

  After Haley was done running, Coach Jones said, “That was great. Now I’m going to have Becca pitch to you and see how hitting goes. Eva, you can catch.”

  Haley grabbed a bat. She took a few practice swings before she stepped up to the plate. Becca wasn’t really a pitcher, but she knew how to do it. She wound up and fired the ball toward Eva’s glove.

  Haley swung hard. The bat made a loud clang. The ball sailed into the outfield between first and second base. If they had been playing, Haley would have easily had a base hit.

  Becca threw a few more pitches. Then Coach Jones gave them a few minutes to get drinks of water.

  Becca asked Haley, “Why were you scared that you wouldn’t make the team? You’re awesome!”

  Haley blushed and smiled. “Thanks,” she said. “I hope she lets me on the team.”

  “Are you kidding?” asked Eva. “Of course she will!”

  Haley’s tryout went on for about twenty more minutes. Finally, Coach Jones smiled and said, “Well, I’ve seen enough. You’re on the team.”

  Haley grinned from ear to ear. “Thank you, Coach!” she said happily. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “Great,” said Coach Jones. “Why don’t you guys go have some lunch before the game starts? I’ll see you back here in a little while.”

  After the coach walked away, Haley said, “Thanks a lot, you guys. That was awesome. I feel great!”

  “Hey, no problem,” Becca said. “After all, that’s what friends are for.”

  Haley laughed. “You know, my mom kept saying I shouldn’t worry, that I’d make friends. I guess I could have picked an easier way to make them!”

  Eva and Becca laughed. “Come on,” Eva said. “Let’s get some lunch. We have a game to win this afternoon!”

  Arm in arm, the three friends walked across the street to Eva’s house.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Val Priebe lives in Minneapolis with her two miniature dachshunds, Bruce and Lily. The last time she played softball, she hit her sister in the leg with a line drive to second base. She thinks her sister has forgiven her. Val works at a law firm, but in her free time she coaches basketball and writes books like this one.

  ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

  When Tuesday Mourning was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Now, she is an illustrator who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. She especially loves illustrating books for kids and teenagers. When she isn’t illustrating, Tuesday loves spending time with her husband, who is an actor, and their son, Atticus.

  GLOSSARY

  crew (KROO)—a team of people who work together

  dugout (DUHG-out)—a shelter where softball or baseball players sit when they are not at bat or in the field

  equipment (i-KWIP-muhnt)—the tools needed to play a particular sport

  fielder (FEEL-dur)—a player who has a position in the outfield

  league (LEEG)—a group of sports teams

  negative (NEG-uh-tiv)—a negative number is less than zero

  recognize (REK-uhg-nize)—see someone and know who they are

  required (ree-KWI-urd)—if you are required to do something, you must do it

  shortstop (SHORT-stop)—the player whose position is between second and third base

  thief (THEEF)—someone who steals

  unfamiliar (uhn-fuh-MIL-yur)—not known

  THE ABCS OF SOFTBALL

  At Bats is how many times a player has hit in a game

  Bullpen is where a relief pitcher warms up

  Catcher is the player who sits behind home plate and catches the pitches

  Diamond is the shape made by all four bases

  Error is a mistake made by a player in the field that lets a runner advance

  Fly Ball is when a batter hits the ball high and straight up in the air

  Ground Ball is a ball that is hit so that it rolls or bounces on the ground

  Home Run is when a ball is hit over the fence and the batter touches all the bases safely to score a run

  Inning is each turn a team gets to both bat and play defense

  Line Drive is when a ball is hit in the air but not very high

  Outfield is the grassy area beyond the bases

  Pitcher is the player who throws balls for the batters to swing at

  Run is a point scored when a player safely crosses home plate

  Safe means that a runner has made it to a base before the ball

  Triple is a hit that allows the batter to run all the way to third base safely

  Walk is when the pitcher throws four pitches that are outside of the batter’s strike zone. Then the batter gets to go to first base without hitting the ball.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Why did Haley borrow the equipment bag? What other options did she have if she wanted to play softball?

  On page 6, Eva said that she wished there were some new girls on the team. Why do you think she felt that way?

  Did Eva and Becca do the right thing when they looked in the storage shed to find the thief? Why or why not?

  WRITING PROMPTS

  Imagine that you’re Haley. Write a letter to a friend in your old town. Tell your friend about your new softball team and about how your summer is going.

  During the summer, Eva and Becca play softball. What’s your favorite summer activity? Write about it.

  This book could have had a different ending. What if Becca and Eva opened the shed door and someone else (not Haley) was inside? Write a new ending to the book, starting with Becca and Eva finding someone else in the storage shed.

  OTHER BOOKS BY JAKE MADDOX

  Amy hurt her knee during a race. Her knee may be healed, but her confidence is still broken. The biggest race of the year is coming up, and it’s on the exact same track
where she was hurt before. With help from an unexpected source, will she be able to race again?

  Alexis made the varsity tennis team, but not everyone is happy for her. Some older girls are out to make Alexis’s season terrible. Can she keep up her self-confidence and step up to the net, or will she let the girls get to her and lose everything?

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  Jake Maddox Books are published by Stone Arch Books,

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  Copyright © 2009 by Stone Arch Books

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

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