Softball Switch-Up

by Jake Maddox

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  CHAPTER 1: STEPPING UP FOR THE TEAM

  CHAPTER 2: SHARING THE MOUND

  CHAPTER 3: THE PITCHER GOES WILD

  CHAPTER 4: ANNIE STRIKES OUT

  CHAPTER 5: PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT

  CHAPTER 6: CURVEBALL

  CHAPTER 7: A SUDDEN REALIZATION

  CHAPTER 8: WHAT’S BEST FOR THE TEAM

  Author Bio

  Illustrator Bio

  Glossary

  Discussion Questions

  Writing Prompts

  More About Softball

  Explore More

  Copyright

  Back Cover

  CHAPTER 1

  Stepping Up for the Team

  Raisa Kumar was in her room, dusting the softball trophy on her shelf. The new season started on Tuesday. She was excited to reunite with her team, the Tigers. Raisa paused as she heard her grandmother’s voice.

  “Raisa!” Nona called. “There’s someone here to see you.”

  “Coming!” Raisa ran to the kitchen. Coach Garcia, her softball team’s head coach, was sitting at the table.

  Why is Coach Garcia here? she wondered. I hope everything is OK.

  “Hello, Raisa,” the coach said. She pointed at the dust cloth in Raisa’s hand. “Were you cleaning?”

  Raisa blushed. “Dusting my softball trophy,” she said.

  Nona laughed. “You dust it every day! Keep it up, and you’ll wear a hole in it!” she joked.

  “I can’t help it!” Raisa said. “We won our first championship last season. I want us to win again.”

  Coach Garcia smiled. “I’m glad you’re proud. Your pitching was one of the reasons we beat out fifteen other teams.” She leaned forward. “In fact, your pitching is why I’m here.”

  Raisa’s stomach fluttered. She was the team’s starting pitcher.

  Did I mess something up? I hope she’s not here to tell me she’s moving me, she thought nervously.

  “I wanted to talk to you about our new player: Annie Nanton,” Coach Garcia said. “She’s new to the game. I’m starting her out in right field, but she’s eager to learn how to pitch too.”

  Raisa blew out a relieved breath. “Fantastic!” she said. “It’s just me and Kaitlyn pitching now. An extra person would be great.”

  “Exactly,” Coach Garcia said with a smile. “Would you like to help Annie learn how to pitch?” She winked. “I know you want to be a coach one day. This might be good practice.”

  Raisa’s stomach fluttered again, but this time from happiness. “Yes, please!” she exclaimed. “I’ll help her outside of our team practices.”

  “Wonderful,” Coach Garcia said. “With your help, Annie’s going to have a lot of fun learning how to pitch. I’ll text you her number and let her know she can expect to hear from you.” She stood. “I’ll see you at practice on Tuesday. Thanks for being there for her.”

  Raisa nodded. She was already thinking of the drills she could teach Annie. Together they’d take the Tigers to their second championship win.

  CHAPTER 2

  Sharing the Mound

  After Coach Garcia left, Raisa texted Annie.

  Raisa: Hi, Annie! I’m Raisa! Welcome to the Tigers!

  Annie: Hi! Thanks. ^_^

  Raisa: I’m the starting pitcher for the team. Coach Garcia said you want to pitch too. I’d love to help you!

  Annie: That’s Gr8 news! TY! Do you want to start today?

  Raisa: Sure! Do you want to meet some of the team? Julia, Kaitlyn, and Taylor are super nice. Kaitlyn is a pitcher too.

  Annie: That would be Gr8! TY! :D

  Raisa started a new group text to her friends, then added Annie.

  Raisa: Hi, guys! Meet Annie. She’s new to the Tigers. Want to meet up at the park today @ 1 to practice?

  Julia: Definitely!

  Kaitlyn: Can’t wait to meet you in person, Annie.

  Taylor: Me too! C U soon!!

  Raisa held her phone to her chest. I’m already helping the team! she thought proudly. This is going to be the best season ever!

  * * *

  After she finished eating lunch, Raisa told her grandmother she was headed to meet her friends, then biked to the nearby softball field. She sat on the bench and waited for everyone.

  A few moments later, a redheaded girl carrying a softball mitt approached her. “Are you Raisa?” the girl asked.

  Raisa smiled. “Annie?”

  The girl grinned. “Yep!” she replied.

  As she stood up, Raisa noticed Annie was much shorter than she was. In fact, she was shorter than most of the pitchers Raisa knew. But she didn’t think that would matter when it came to pitching.

  Just then, Julia and Taylor arrived.

  “Hi!” the blond girl said, waving at Annie. “I’m Taylor!”

  Julia tucked her braids into her cap. “And I’m Julia,” she added.

  “Hi,” Annie replied with a shy smile. “Thanks for meeting up with me. I was so nervous to move here from Wisconsin! I’m excited to be on the team. This is my first year in softball.”

  “You’re going to love being a part of the Tigers,” Taylor said.

  “I hope so!” Annie replied. “My grandma used to be a pitcher, and she made it sound so fun. I can’t wait to try it.”

  “Where’s Kaitlyn?” Raisa asked as they began stretching. She looked around for the other pitcher.

  “She’s probably just running late,” said Taylor. “She can catch up when she gets here.”

  Raisa nodded. After they finished stretching, they ran laps. Then Raisa handed Annie one of the softballs she’d brought with her.

  “Let’s start with the grip,” she said. “See how this seam looks like a horseshoe? Put your index and middle fingers here, and then put your thumb here.” Raisa demonstrated how to grip the ball.

  Annie mimicked Raisa. “Like this?” she asked.

  “That’s a good start,” Raisa said. She adjusted Annie’s grip. “How does that feel?”

  “Weird. I’ve seen photos of my grandma, and she held the ball like this.” Annie moved her fingers so she held the ball with a four-finger grip instead of three. “Can I do that?”

  Raisa shook her head. “That’s a grip for more experienced pitchers,” she said. “Since you’re new, you’ll want to hold it with three fingers.”

  Annie nodded and readjusted her grip on the ball.

  “Let me show you how to throw,” Raisa offered. She motioned to her friends, and Taylor stepped up to bat. Julia, the team’s catcher, crouched behind Taylor.

  Raisa turned to Annie. “Watch me.” She rotated her left arm into a windmill motion and sent a pitch Taylor’s way. Taylor hit the ball back to her. The next time, Raisa snapped her wrist as she released the ball. This made the ball go faster. Taylor swung and missed. Julia caught the ball and tossed it back.

  “Can I try?” Annie asked.

  Raisa didn’t want to give up the mound. But a good coach—and teammate—would give Annie a chance, she thought.

  Raisa handed over the ball. Annie threw it to Julia. It sailed high and came down to the outside of home plate, outside the strike zone.

  “That’s a ball,” Raisa said. “But you were close to home plate. It’s a great start!”

  Julia held the bat out to Annie. “Let’s see what you’ve got!” she said.

  Annie stepped to the plate. Raisa pitched the ball to her, and Annie hit it with a solid crack! It sailed over Raisa’s head and toward second base. Taylor ran to catch it.

  “Wow!” Julia said. “You’re a great hitter!”

  “If you keep batting like that we’re going to win every game, including the championship
!” Taylor cheered.

  “Thanks,” Annie said, blushing. “I hope you’re right. But this is my first year. I still have a lot to learn.”

  Raisa turned as a car pulled into the lot. “There’s Kaitlyn. Finally!” she exclaimed.

  But when Kaitlyn climbed out of the car, the other girls gasped. Kaitlyn’s right arm was in a cast.

  “Kaitlyn!” Raisa said as the other pitcher walked closer. “What happened?”

  “I slipped and fell coming down the stairs,” Kaitlyn said as she came closer. “I broke my arm.” There were tears in her brown eyes. “I can come to practice, but I can’t play until the cast comes off.”

  A surge of anger ran through Raisa. Kaitlyn’s broken arm meant they were down a pitcher. That wasn’t going to help their chances of winning another championship.

  It’s not Kaitlyn’s fault she broke her arm, Raisa told herself. But she couldn’t fully shake her irritation.

  “But we need you!” Julia cried. “The league rules say a pitcher can only pitch four innings max. With you out, Annie will have to take the mound.”

  “Four innings! But I’m new!” Annie exclaimed.

  “It’ll be fine,” Raisa said. But truthfully, she was worried too. What if I don’t have what it takes to coach Annie? she thought. What if I cost us the championship? I can’t let my friends down.

  Raisa forced a bright smile. “With my help, you’ll be a great pitcher and help the team win our games! I promise!”

  CHAPTER 3

  The Pitcher Goes Wild

  On Tuesday, Nona drove Raisa to practice. The team is counting on me, Raisa reminded herself. I have to help Annie.

  Coach Garcia waved everyone in. She handed out uniforms, and the girls pulled the orange-and-blue jerseys over their heads.

  “A few of you have already met her,” Coach Garcia began, “but I’d like to introduce our newest player, Annie.”

  Annie waved, and the team cheered for her.

  Coach Garcia led the team through their warm-up. She hit grounders to the infield and fly balls to the outfield to get everyone’s muscles loosened. Then, while the rest of the players started batting practice with the assistant coach, Coach Garcia pulled Raisa, Julia, and Annie aside for pitching drills.

  Julia stood at the backstop and held her mitt out as a target for the ball. Kaitlyn watched from the side.

  “You’re right-handed, Annie,” Coach Garcia said as she walked to the mound with Raisa and Annie. “So start with your right foot here.”

  Coach Garcia tapped the rubber plate on the ground with her toe. Then she held her hands straight out in front of her. The ball was in her right hand, and her mitt was in her left.

  Coach Garcia swung her right hand up and around, in a windmill motion. She pushed off with her feet and pitched the ball to Julia. It landed in Julia’s mitt with a loud smack!

  “Go ahead and give it a try,” Coach Garcia said. She stood back as Julia tossed the ball to Annie.

  Annie stepped to the mound. Instead of keeping her right arm in front of her and rotating up, as the coach had done, Annie swung her hand behind her, then swung it back to the front.

  Annie threw the ball, but it went wild. Julia dived to catch it.

  She’s not doing it right, Raisa thought with a frown. Maybe Coach will correct her.

  But Coach Garcia just called, “Nice try!”

  Raisa’s frown deepened. Didn’t she see Annie miss the target? she wondered. Maybe this is one of the things she’s counting on me to help with.

  “Try again,” said Coach Garcia.

  Annie nodded and threw the ball again, but this time her pitch was too soft. The ball landed a few feet from Julia. She scrambled to grab it.

  She’s still learning, Raisa told herself. It’s just the first practice.

  But she felt impatient. If they were going to win, Annie needed to learn—fast.

  The next time, Annie tossed the ball harder. It was another wild pitch. Julia jumped backward to catch it.

  “Keep trying. That’s what counts,” Coach Garcia told Annie.

  Raisa blew out a tight breath. I know Coach Garcia has to be encouraging, she thought, but we need a solid pitcher. I’ll have to help Annie learn to pitch like me on our own time.

  After thirty minutes of pitching practice, it was time to join the team for batting drills.

  “You’ll have to practice with Annie,” Kaitlyn said, echoing Raisa’s thoughts. “Otherwise we’ll never win.”

  “Maybe we can both help her,” Raisa said. If Kaitlyn helps, it won’t be as much pressure on me, she thought privately.

  “You have to do it, Raisa. You’re the starting pitcher,” Julia said, overhearing their conversation.

  Raisa didn’t want to let her teammates down. She nodded. “You’re right,” she said. “Consider it handled.”

  “Annie, you’re up to bat!” Coach called.

  Annie stepped up to the batting tee and swung. Her bat connected, and the ball sailed to second base.

  Raisa cheered. Annie was a great hitter. She just needed help pitching, and it was up to Raisa to teach her.

  CHAPTER 4

  Annie Strikes Out

  A few days later it was time for the Tigers’ first game of the season against the Meteors. I hope all the practicing Annie and I have been doing pays off, Raisa thought as she and Nona parked.

  After they’d walked to the field, Nona gave Raisa a hug. “Good luck! Have fun!” she said.

  Raisa smiled and relaxed a little. Softball was always fun—there was no question about that.

  After Coach Garcia went through the batting order and lineup with the team, Raisa took her place on the mound. The Meteors’ player got into position, and Raisa let the ball fly.

  * * *

  A few innings later, the score was 3–1, Tigers. Raisa wanted to make sure it stayed that way. There was already one out on the board.

  Raisa ground the ball into her glove and threw a fastball. The ball sailed past the Meteors’ player and into Julia’s catcher’s mitt.

  “Strike three!” the umpire called.

  The next player stepped up to the plate. Raisa pitched and snapped her wrist as she released the ball.

  The player swung, and the tip of her bat caught the edge of the ball. It sailed high and short. Raisa raced under it and grinned as the solid weight of the ball landed in her glove.

  “Out!” the umpire called. “Batters up!”

  That was the signal to switch. Raisa followed her teammates to the bench for their turn at bat.

  Annie was up first. Thinking about what was on the line for the team, Raisa grabbed her new friend’s arm.

  “Remember to bend at the knees,” Raisa said. “When you hit the ball, follow through with your hips. We’re counting on you.”

  Annie’s face whitened, but she nodded. She gripped the bat and got into position. The pitcher tossed the ball, and Annie swung.

  “Strike one!” the umpire yelled.

  “The next one’s yours!” Raisa shouted.

  But the next pitch was a swing and a miss. “Strike two!” the umpire called.

  “Come on,” muttered Taylor. “She’s going to cost us the game.”

  “She’s trying,” Raisa snapped.

  But it wasn’t enough. A moment later, the umpire declared, “Strike three!”

  Annie shuffled back to the dugout.

  “It’s OK,” Raisa said, sensing that Annie needed encouragement. “We all have bad moments.”

  Annie didn’t say anything.

  * * *

  When it was time to switch, the Tigers were still ahead. It was Annie’s turn on the mound.

  “Do I have to pitch?” Annie asked. “I’m not good enough yet.”

  “Raisa can’t pitch more than four innings—league rules,” Coach Garcia reminded her.

  Raisa smiled. “You’ll do great. Just do it like me.”

  Annie nodded and ran to the mound.

  “I hope she doesn�
��t mess up,” Julia said quietly as she put on her catcher’s mask.

  “She’ll be fine,” Raisa said tightly.

  But three batters later, she was having trouble believing her own words. Even though Annie was pitching just like Raisa did, it wasn’t going well. All three batters had made it on base.

  Annie threw the ball again, but instead of heading straight to the plate, it veered left.

  “Ball!” the umpire called.

  Annie glowered, took a breath, and threw the ball again. This time it crossed the edge of the plate. The Meteors’ batter smashed it far into right field.

  “We’re doomed,” Taylor muttered from her spot on the bench.

  “Give her a chance,” Raisa said.

  But by the time the game was done, Annie had had more than enough chances. The Tigers had not only lost their lead, they’d lost the game, 5–3.

  CHAPTER 5

  Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect

  After the game, no one felt like hanging out. That night, Raisa texted Annie. They agreed to meet at the park the next day.

  “I feel terrible,” Annie said when she arrived. “I lost the game for us.”

  Raisa said, “You met me today for practice. You’re working hard. That matters more than one bad game.”

  Annie nodded but seemed unconvinced.

  They warmed up quickly. Then Raisa pulled on her glove and squatted behind home plate.

  “Throw the ball to where my mitt is,” she said. She positioned it in front of her chest.

  Annie tried, but the ball went wide.

  She’s still learning, Raisa reminded herself. Be patient.

  “You’re swinging your arm back before you swing it forward,” Raisa said. “That’s not how I do it. You shouldn’t, either. Plus, you’re not getting enough power. Look at how you’re planting your feet.” She showed Annie how to take the stance. “Do it just like how I do it.”

  “My feet feel too far away from each other,” Annie argued, closing her stance. “I like it this way.”

  “You’re new to pitching.” Raisa felt her patience slipping. “It’ll feel weird until you get used to it. This is what works for me and Kaitlyn. I know it will work for you too.” She punched her glove. “Come on, put one in.”