My New Team

by Krystle Howard

  Rhino’s teammates were yelling, too. “Wait for your pitch.” “Blast one!”

  The first pitch was faster than any Rhino had seen at practice or from Grandpa. It whizzed by before Rhino had a chance to react.

  “Stee-rike!” said the umpire.

  “Easy out!” came a cry from the infield.

  Rhino blinked. He took a step back, then spread his feet a little wider.

  He’s fast, Rhino thought. But I’m ready now.

  The next pitch was just as quick, but it looked way outside to Rhino. He let it go by.

  “Ball one.”

  “Good eye!” yelled Cooper.

  “A walk’s as good as a hit,” called Bella.

  The pitcher kept glaring. This time, Rhino held his gaze.

  Straight down the middle, Rhino thought. Then good-bye, Mr. Baseball!

  The pitch was straight, even faster than before. Rhino timed his swing.

  Pop! The bat met the ball and sent it almost straight up. The catcher stood and circled back, trying to get under it. But the ball flew over the backstop and out of play.

  “Nice contact!” called Coach Ray. “Straighten it out, Rhino.”

  Rhino felt good now. The nerves were gone. He’d smack this next pitch into the outfield. Or farther.

  But the pitch was very low. Rhino had to step back to avoid being hit in the foot.

  “Ball two,” said the umpire.

  The chatter kept up from the field and the dugout. Rhino wiped one hand on his jersey. He gripped the bat tight.

  He swung with all his might.

  “Strike three!”

  Rhino trudged to the bench.

  “Good at bat,” Coach Ray said as Rhino entered the dugout. “No one’s got a hit off him yet, but he’ll tire.”

  “Great swings,” Cooper said.

  “Nice job,” Bella added. “You didn’t go fishing at any bad pitches.”

  “Good eye,” said another teammate.

  “You stunk,” said Dylan.

  “Shut up,” Rhino said. “You didn’t do any better.”

  Dylan had struck out in the first inning.

  Rhino frowned and wished he’d let it slide. He didn’t like to lower himself to Dylan’s annoying level of taunting.

  The Tigers scored a run in the third, but Cooper was doing a good job pitching. He allowed only a couple of singles and walked just one batter. The game stayed tight. Rhino came up to bat again to lead off the fourth inning. The Mustangs trailed, 1–0.

  Rhino was ready for the pitcher’s speed now. He fouled off the first pitch, hitting it with power past the bleachers near first base.

  The second pitch blazed past him, but the umpire called it a ball.

  Rhino made contact with the third pitch. The foul ball banged off the fence in front of the Mustangs’ dugout.

  “Nice power!” Cooper called.

  I’ve got him now, Rhino thought. He’d seen enough pitches to know the speed. He’d swing at the right moment this time.

  Here came the pitch. Something was different. Rhino swung the bat and hit nothing but air. The ball plopped into the catcher’s mitt. Rhino had struck out again. He blew out his breath in an angry huff.

  “He got you with a changeup,” Coach said as Rhino put his bat in the rack. “An off-speed pitch. Tricky.”

  Rhino had never expected a slow pitch at that point. He won’t fool me like that again, his thinker said. Next time up: Bam!

  “That kid’s good,” Coach said. “We won’t see a better pitcher all season.”

  “Tough break,” said Bella.

  “Good effort,” said Cooper.

  “What a wimp,” said Dylan.

  Dylan never learns, Rhino thought. He looked away and kept his mouth shut this time.

  Cooper and Dylan switched places in the fifth inning. Dylan pitched well. But the Tigers added a run in the top of the sixth. With two outs, they had runners on second and third. Another hit might seal the game.

  “Come on, Dylan!” called some of the Mustangs. “Get this last guy out!”

  Rhino didn’t say anything. He rubbed his fist into his glove, ready to pounce on any ball that was hit his way.

  Dylan pitched. A sharp crack rang out over the field.

  Rhino took off. The ball was high and deep, angling toward the fence in deep right-center. Sprinting hard, Rhino kept his gaze on the ball while staying aware of the fence.

  It looked like a home run for sure. It would take all his might, but Rhino jumped.

  Rhino hit the fence at the same moment the ball reached his glove. He squeezed the ball, yanked it back, and rolled to the grass. Then he held his glove high so the umpires could see that he’d made the catch.

  The crowd roared. The base runners stood still, their mouths hanging open.

  “Incredible!” Bella shouted from right field. “The catch of the year!” She ran over and smacked her glove against Rhino’s.

  The inning was over.

  The score was still 2–0. The Mustangs had one last turn at bat.

  Rhino couldn’t stop grinning as he and Bella ran to the dugout. He rolled the ball to the pitcher’s mound.

  But that catch wouldn’t mean much if the Mustangs lost the game. “Let’s get some runs!” Rhino shouted.

  We need base runners,” Coach Ray said as the players entered the dugout. The Mustangs had only had three runners reach base the entire game. Two walks and one weak single.

  “Who’s up?” Rhino asked.

  “I am,” said Cooper. “Then Bella and Dylan.”

  Rhino would bat fourth. But if the three players ahead of him all made outs, the game would be over. Rhino would be stuck with two strikeouts. Even though he’d made a terrific catch, he knew that wouldn’t be enough for him. Let me have another turn at bat, he thought. I’ll blast it this time.

  Cooper had the team’s only hit in the entire game. No one else had come close.

  But Cooper struck out on just three pitches.

  “He’s still as fast as ever,” Cooper said, nodding toward the pitcher. “He’s throwing just as hard as he was in the first inning.”

  Rhino took the bat from Cooper. He edged out of the dugout, a few feet from the on-deck circle. Dylan was in the circle, lightly swinging a bat.

  Rhino noticed Dylan looking at him. Dylan cleared his throat. “Nice catch out there,” he mumbled, looking away.

  “Thanks,” Rhino said.

  Dylan dug his toe into the dirt. He glanced past Rhino, then back. “We need some runs.”

  The Mustangs cheered as Bella drew a walk. She trotted to first base.

  Dylan walked to the plate.

  “Let’s go, Dylan!” came a shout from the dugout.

  The Mustangs were all standing. They shook the fence in front of the dugout. “We want a hit!” they yelled.

  Dylan delivered. He smacked the first pitch deep into left field. Bella reached second and kept running. She slid safely into third base as the ball was thrown to second. Dylan arrived before the ball. He was safe, too.

  And Rhino was up to bat.

  Both Bella and Dylan would score on a well-placed hit. A single ties the game, and a home run would win it, Rhino thought.

  But Rhino hadn’t hit a fair ball all game.

  He squeezed the bat, keeping his eyes on the pitcher. This was pressure. The game was on the line.

  The first pitch was fast. Rhino took a powerful swing. He missed.

  “Strike one!”

  Rhino stepped out of the batter’s box. He set the bat between his knees and wiped both hands on his shirt. He took a deep breath and shook his head. Were this guy’s pitches even faster than before?

  “Three seconds!” came a call from the bleachers. It was Grandpa.

  Rhino blinked. He stepped back into the box. He didn’t need three seconds this time. He knew exactly what Grandpa meant. It made him relax. It got him ready.

  He swung even harder at the next pitch. The ball whistled past.

>   “Strike two!”

  “Just make contact!” Coach Ray called.

  Right, Rhino thought. Just hit it. A nice, clean single is all you need.

  The third pitch was way outside. The Tigers’ catcher had to lunge to grab it. He called time-out and trotted to the mound.

  The Tigers’ coach walked to the mound, too. After a short talk, he went back to the dugout. The pitcher stayed in the game.

  Just connect, Rhino thought.

  The next pitch was fast and straight down the middle. Rhino had seen pitches like that all game. He knew when to swing. Straight and true.

  Crrrack!

  The ball took off on a high line drive, farther than Rhino had ever hit one. He ran at top speed toward first base, then glanced up to see a beautiful sight. The outfielders weren’t even chasing the ball. It was sailing over the fence. Going, going, gone! I’m a real hitter! Rhino’s thinker said.

  A home run!

  The Mustang players were leaping up and down, shouting and laughing and clapping. Bella scored first, then Dylan. They all waited by home plate as Rhino came racing around third base.

  It felt almost like a dream to Rhino. He slowed a little in the final steps, then pumped his arms in the air and crossed the plate. Cooper pounded him on the back and Bella slapped his shoulder. Everyone else stuck up their hands for high fives.

  All of the people in the bleachers were standing and cheering.

  The Mustangs had won.

  Rhino had never been happier. He looked over at the other dugout. The Tigers’ pitcher had his cap pulled down toward his eyes as he stepped over the third-base line. The rest of the team looked stunned.

  “Let’s go shake hands,” Coach Ray said. “That was a terrific effort by both teams.”

  Rhino led his teammates to the other dugout. The Tigers lined up with their hands out. Rhino lightly tapped each one. When he got to the pitcher, he said, “Great work.”

  The pitcher shook his head and gave a half smile. “That was some shot,” he said. Then he pointed at Rhino. “Wait until next time.” His smile became a full one.

  “We’ll see about that,” Rhino said. He knew the pitcher was good. That made the home run even more satisfying.

  Rhino felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Dylan.

  “Nice home run,” Dylan said.

  “Nice double.”

  “Yeah. See you next time.”

  Dylan walked away. He hadn’t sounded friendly, but he hadn’t sounded mean, either. Maybe they wouldn’t be friends, but at least they could act like teammates. They could be supportive on the field.

  “Great finish,” Coach Ray said. “The real games start next weekend. We have two practice sessions left to get ready.”

  “We are ready!” said Rhino.

  Coach laughed. “We’ve got a long way to go. But I like what I’ve seen. This season will be a lot of fun.”

  Rhino grabbed his glove from the dugout. He got a big hug from Grandpa and a high five from C.J.

  One week until the first real game. Rhino couldn’t wait.

  “Hey, Grandpa,” he said as they left the ballpark. “As soon as we get home, can we play some baseball in the yard?”

  Bring it on, Little Rhino thought.

  Baseball season was here! Rhino and his teammates had been practicing for two weeks. Finally, Saturday’s game would be for real.

  Rhino hit a game-winning home run in the Mustangs’ practice game a few days earlier. He’d also made a great catch in center field. He felt confident. He was ready. Today’s practice session was the last one before the opener.

  “I’m going to smack another homer,” Rhino said. “My new bat is awesome.”

  The bat was a gift from Grandpa James. He had surprised Rhino with it that morning. “You earned this,” Grandpa said. Rhino had received excellent grades on his latest progress report. He worked just as hard in the classroom as he did on the baseball field. Rhino was so happy. The bat felt perfect when he swung it—almost like it was part of his body. It was the right weight and length for him, and it cut smoothly through the air.

  The day was warm and sunny. Rhino pulled off his sweatshirt. He untucked his baggy white T-shirt out from his shorts. The team didn’t practice in their uniforms. Then Rhino wrapped his hoodie around the new bat he had with him and set it on the dugout bench. He and his best friend Cooper were the first players to arrive at the field, as usual.

  “Let’s catch, Rhino,” Cooper said. “We need to warm up.” “Rhino” was the nickname that everyone called him, even though his real name was Ryan.

  They tossed a ball back and forth. Coach Ray and his daughter, Bella, arrived a minute later. Other players started to trickle in, too. They were all wearing their bright blue caps with the big M for Mustangs.

  Bella trotted over and winked at Rhino. “Hey, Cooper,” she said, flipping her brown ponytail. “Mind if we switch? I need to work with my outfield partner.” Bella had played right field in the practice game.

  “Sure,” Cooper replied. He looked around for someone else to throw with.

  Bella punched her glove and said, “Fire it here, Rhino.” She had her cap on backward.

  After everyone had warmed up, Coach started a drill. “We need to develop quick hands,” he said. He had one player in each group send a fast ground ball to the other.

  “Field it cleanly, then release it fast,” Coach said. “A quick throw can make the difference between an out and a base runner.”

  They worked on that for several minutes, then Coach sent the starters out to their positions. It was time for batting practice. “Play it like a real game,” Coach said. “Run out every hit. You’ll all get plenty of chances to swing the bat today.”

  Rhino sprinted to center field. He was so excited that he hopped up and down, waiting to make his first catch of the day.

  He didn’t wait long. The first batter looped a soft fly ball over the head of the second baseman. It looked like it would drop for a single, but Rhino darted after it.

  The ball hung in the air just long enough for Rhino to get under it. He reached out his glove on the run and made the catch, then tossed the ball back to the pitcher.

  “Incredible speed,” said Bella, who had run over to back him up. “No one’s going to get a hit if you’re out here!”

  Rhino blushed. What’s up with Bella lately being all nicey nice? He trotted back to his position.

  He caught another fly ball and fielded two grounders that got through for singles. Then Coach waved the three outfielders in to bat.

  Rhino put on a helmet and grabbed his new bat. He stood with Bella while their teammate named Carlos took his turn at the plate. Carlos was the smallest player on the team but he was a good fielder.

  “Nice bat,” Bella said to Rhino. “Brand-new?”

  Rhino nodded. “It’s the best bat,” he said. He handed it to Bella for a look.

  “Too heavy,” Bella said.

  “It’s just right for me,” Rhino replied.

  Rhino studied the pitcher. Dylan was a wise guy and often a bully, but he was a good athlete. He’d given Rhino a hard time early in the season, but lately he minded his own business.

  I still don’t trust him but he is my teammate. Rhino’s thinker said. Grandpa had taught Rhino to always use his head and think things through.

  Dylan took off his cap and ran his hand through his stiff, blond hair. He smirked at the batter, put his cap back on, and wound up to pitch.

  Carlos swung and missed. Dylan laughed. His next pitch was a strike, too. Carlos finally hit a weak ground ball that Dylan fielded. His throw to first was a little high, and it bounced off the first baseman’s glove and dropped to the ground.

  “Don’t be afraid of the ball!” Dylan yelled at the first baseman, Paul.

  Paul stared at his glove and ran his other hand through his curly red hair. He had dropped another throw earlier, and he did not seem confident about playing first base.

  Bella was
up next and struck out. She frowned as she walked past Rhino on his way to the plate. “He’s got good stuff today,” she said. “Tough to hit.” Dylan glared at Rhino. Rhino glared back.

  Dylan is always so confident that he’ll get the best of everyone, said Rhino’s thinker. I’ll show him.

  Rhino stopped beside home plate. He took his bat and pointed to the outfield. “That’s where this one is going,” he said. Dylan shot him a dirty look as Rhino picked up a helmet from the backstop and walked around the base to get into his batting stance.

  The first pitch was high and way inside. Rhino leaned back and let it go by.

  The second pitch was low and outside. Rhino shook his head. “Put it in here!” he said.

  “Right past you,” Dylan said. He wound up and fired the ball.

  Ryan Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2005 and the National League MVP award in 2006. Ryan and his wife, Krystle, cofounded the Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children by promoting academic and athletic development.

  Krystle Howard is a former elementary school teacher with a passion for education and childhood literacy. She was instrumental in developing Ryan’s Reading Challenge, a program that resulted in more than one million minutes of reading by the children involved. She is currently the COO of the Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation.

  Text copyright © 2015 by Ryan Howard

  Illustrations © 2015 by Scholastic Inc.

  All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

  First printing, February 2015

  Cover art © 2015 by Erwin Madrid

  Cover design by Christopher Stengel

  e-ISBN 978-0-545-75592-4

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.