Thumb on a Diamond by Ken Roberts Page A

knew how to look cool. We knew how to glance casually and calmly at the coach for a sign about where or how to hit the ball. We knew to stare at the pitcher so he’d get nervous.
    We knew everything except how to hit and catch and where to stand and what a sign from the coach might look like and where to throw if we ever did manage to catch anything.
    â€œSure,” said Coach Darling, glancing at our uniforms and smiling. “So, you guys are the Northern Coast League champs, eh?”
    â€œWe’re undefeated,” said Susan.
    â€œHey, aren’t those pictures from the Bobbie and Bernice books on your uniforms? My son, our third baseman, he loved those books when he was little.”
    â€œYeah,” said Dad. “Our team is called the Beavers and Mr. Entwhistle, who writes and illustrates the Bobbie and Bernice books, lives in our village. Actually, he’s right over there,” said Dad, pointing toward the street, where Mr. Entwhistle was inspecting a rose bush.
    Mr. Darling glanced over at Mr. Entwhistle and then slowly looked at each of us. He wasn’t really sure yet if we were a bad team or a really good team trying to psych him out.
    Robbie was trying to shove his mitt on the wrong hand.
    â€œRemember, Robbie,” said Susan calmly. “You put the glove on your left hand so that you can use your right hand for throwing.”
    â€œBut I still think it’s more important for me to catch the ball first. I have a better chance of catching the ball if the glove is on my right hand.”
    â€œMr. Mazzei, do we all get to wear these?” asked Big Bette, holding up a catcher’s mask. We didn’t have a catcher’s mask in our school kit but Dad had bought one after dinner last night.
    â€œNo, Bette,” said Dad softly, taking the catcher’s mask from her. “The only person who wears a mask is the one who catches the balls that the pitcher throws.”
    â€œBut any of us could get hit in the face.”
    â€œThe catcher has the highest chance of getting hit, Bette.”
    â€œThen can I be the catcher? I’d like to wear the mask.”
    â€œThe catcher has to be able to catch,” said Dad calmly.
    â€œOh,” said Bette, tossing the mask back onto our pile of equipment.
    Dad turned to face Coach Darling. “You play with the mercy rule, don’t you?”
    â€œThe mercy rule?”
    â€œYeah. If one team is leading by more than ten runs after two innings, then the game is declared over without the rest of the game being played.”
    â€œI suppose we use that rule if it’s in the book,” said Coach Darling slowly. “It’s never happened, though.”
    â€œWell, it will probably happen today,” said Dad.
    Coach Darling nodded. He smiled sympathetically at us and jogged back toward his team. He pulled out a whistle and blew it, gathering his team together.
    Dad seemed to think it was a good idea to give us a pep talk, too. He didn’t have to call his team together. We were all sitting and lying on the grass, rubbing it and looking at it.
    â€œI suppose,” said Dad, “that I should tell you how we might be able to win if we concentrate. But the truth is that we don’t even know what to concentrate on. Each of you should pick the player that is stationed at your position in the field and watch that player closely. Copy what that player does. When we’re out on the field and a ball is hit toward you, try not to let it get past you. If you can’t catch it, just stop it. If you happen to hit the ball when it’s your turn to bat, then first base is to the right and not to the left the way it is at home. Run to first base and stop. If Mr. Entwhistle tells you to run to second base, go – fast. That’s it. Remember, have fun. Now, let’s play some baseball!”
    We got to bat first, which was great since everyone who wasn’t batting could