The Ball Hogs

by Rich Wallace

  He pointed toward the pavement and said, “This spot is mine, people. I’ll see you all back here tomorrow.”

  “One serve,” Mark said. “That’s how long it’ll take me to put you back on the sideline.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Ben replied. He walked away with his head held high.

  A week without four square had been way too long.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Three Points

  Ben was glad to get to practice that afternoon. He had thought about it all day. He couldn’t wait to run.

  He got to the field early, but he didn’t want to wait until practice started. So he dropped his ball and started to kick it, working hard to keep it close to his feet. That was another tip on his list. He ran two laps around the outside of the soccer field. The ball only got away from him once.

  He started to run a third lap. Suddenly he heard someone running close behind him. He turned and saw Mark.

  Mark did not have a ball, so he was running very fast. He caught up to Ben and kicked Ben’s ball to the side.

  “Quit it!” Ben said.

  “You’re too slow!” Mark said. “And you think you’re so cool because you have your own ball.” He kept running.

  Ben ran over to his ball. He could see Coach Patty and Shayna getting out of their car. Other members of the team were arriving, too.

  “Come over here!” Ben called to Mark.

  “Why?”

  “Just come here.”

  Mark stopped running and walked over to Ben. “What?” he asked.

  Ben didn’t want to admit this, but he had to say it. “We’ve been hurting the team.”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Yes, you have,” Ben said. “When we don’t pass, we hurt the team’s chances.”

  “I’m the best player we have,” Mark said. “You hurt the team when you don’t pass to me.”

  “You do the same thing when you don’t pass to me!”

  Before Mark could answer, Coach Patty called the team over to her. “We’ve really improved,” she said. “If we work hard today, I think we’ll be ready to win on Saturday.”

  Coach had the team do some drills that focused on passing. “It’s the best way to set up a shot,” she said.

  In one drill, a player would take the ball to the corner of the field, then pass backward to a teammate. That player then passed the ball across the field, sending it right in front of the goal. A third player was waiting there to stop the ball, then shoot it into the net.

  “Think of a triangle,” Coach said. “The ball moves from one point, to a second point, to a third point. The defenders will chase after the ball. If we pass it quickly, we’ll have an open shot before they can catch up.”

  They worked through the drill several times.

  “Now it will get harder,” Coach said. “We’ll do the same drill, but with a defender on the field. We’ll have to speed it up.”

  Ben waited on the field for Erin’s pass to come from the corner. He stopped the ball and turned quickly toward the center of the field. Mark was playing defense. He came toward Ben, trying to stop him. Ben swiftly kicked the ball toward Kim.

  Kim took the pass, dribbled once, and shot the ball into the goal.

  “Great job!” Coach said. “Good things happen when we work together.”

  Ben jogged over to the spot in front of the goal. It was his turn to be the third point in the triangle.

  Here came the pass. Ben stopped it with the inside of his foot. He took a step to his left to get past the defender. The only thing between him and the goal was the goalie.

  He planted his left foot and kicked hard with his right. The ball left the ground and flew on a line drive toward the goal.

  The goalie reached for the ball, but it landed solidly in the net. Ben had scored. He lifted his arms and yelled, “Yes!”

  “Nice shot,” Coach Patty said. “That’s how teamwork pays off.”

  After practice, the team gathered around the coach again.

  “Passing is the best way to move the ball,” she said. “But if you have a good chance to shoot, then take it. The second point of the triangle doesn’t always have to pass. Sometimes that player has a chance to score, too. And the third point doesn’t always have the best shot, either. He can pass the ball right back.”

  Ben wiped his sweaty face on the sleeve of his T-shirt. There was no doubt that the team had played better today.

  Now if they could only manage to do it in a game.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Holding His Ground

  The next day at recess, Ben was back on the four-square court. The ball came into Ben’s square and he controlled it skillfully, letting it bounce once before slamming it toward Loop.

  Loop stepped back and swatted the ball across to Mark, who spun it into Ben’s square.

  Ben pivoted and sent the ball back at Mark, who bobbled it and knocked it out of play.

  Ben raised his fist as Mark chased after the ball. “Fourth square,” he said proudly. He’d held that position for several rounds.

  “Sorry,” Mark said, bouncing the ball as he walked back to the game. He didn’t sound sorry. “You palmed the ball.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. That was an illegal shot.”

  “No way,” Ben said. He shifted his eyes from Mark to Loop to Erin.

  Erin shook her head. “Too close to call.”

  “Looked good to me,” Loop said, “but he’s got the right to call a foul.”

  Ben frowned, but he said, “Okay.” He stepped out of the square and the others moved up. Another kid from Mark’s class took over the first square.

  No big deal, Ben thought. I’ll be back in soon. He was sure he hadn’t gripped the ball with his palm. He was way too experienced for that. He wasn’t going to let Mark drag him into an argument, though. He remembered what Loop had said about not expecting to get his way every time.

  Within a minute, Ben was back in the first square, determined to reclaim the server’s position before the end of recess.

  Back and forth the ball flew, with lots of chatter coming from the players. This was turning out to be a pretty good group. Tyler can have his dumb game, Ben decided. Who needs ’em?

  Ben moved up to the second square, then the third. He glanced at his teacher, Mrs. Soto, who was standing near the swings and checking her watch. Recess was just about over.

  Mark served the ball and Loop fired it across to Erin. Ben stayed ready, his eyes fixed on the ball as it flew from square to square. Mark’s going out, he thought. He’ll pay for that bogus palming call.

  The ball came his way, but the shot forced him toward the back of his square; it’d be too tight a shot to try to send it to Mark. So Ben lobbed the ball into Erin’s square, and she easily knocked it to Loop.

  This time Loop’s shot set Ben up perfectly. He leaned back, turned his hand quickly, and swiped at the ball. It darted toward the far edge of Mark’s square and took a hard bounce. Mark lunged for it but barely got his hand on it as it rocketed out of the square.

  Ben took a big step into the fourth square, but Mark said, “No way!”

  “Yes, way!”

  “That was a double hit.”

  “Get out. It was clean.”

  “It was not!” Mark stepped into the square, too, face to face with Ben.

  Mark was several inches taller than Ben and certainly stronger. But Ben held his ground.

  “You’re gonna call a foul every time I knock you out?” Ben asked.

  “If it is a foul.”

  “That wasn’t!”

  Mark pressed the ball against Ben’s chest and pushed. Ben lifted his hand to Mark’s shoulder and pushed back. Mark’s face turned red and he stepped out of the square.

  “What’s going on?” called Mrs. Soto, walking over quickly.

  “He’s being a baby,” Mark said. His voice was shaky.

  Ben was steaming mad, but he laughed. He could tell that Mark was backi
ng down. “Mark calls a foul every time I outplay him.”

  The other games had stopped and everyone had gathered around Ben and Mark, expecting a fight.

  “Recess is over,” Mrs. Soto said. “Everyone line up.” She looked at Ben, then at Mark. “Except you two.”

  She stood with her hands on her hips. “Who isn’t playing fair?” she asked.

  “Him,” said Mark.

  “Him,” said Ben.

  Mrs. Soto let out a sigh and smiled gently. “Maybe you two should be in different games tomorrow.”

  Great, Ben thought. I have to change games again? “He says I did a double hit.”

  “Did you?”

  “No.”

  Ben noticed that Mark was looking down at the pavement and biting his lip. He seemed to be afraid of Ben’s teacher.

  “Ben sounds pretty sure,” Mrs. Soto said. “Is he mistaken, or are you?”

  Mark shrugged. “I don’t know,” he said, kicking softly at a pebble.

  “Think you can try again tomorrow?” she asked.

  “All right by me,” Ben said.

  Mark looked away. “Sure.”

  “I’ll be watching,” she said. “Play fair or find a different group. And if I see any fighting, you’ll both be staying in for recess for at least a week.”

  Mrs. Soto clapped her hands and addressed the rest of the students. “Inside,” she said. “Orderly.”

  Ben sneered at Mark, but Mark wasn’t looking. So Ben followed him to the door. When they reached it, Mark turned and muttered, “Baby.”

  Ben didn’t respond. But he felt stronger somehow, and not afraid of Mark anymore. He’d stood up to him and Mark had backed down.

  Ben would be in the fourth square tomorrow. He knew Mark wouldn’t try to claim it. And even if he did, Ben would definitely hold his ground.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Breaking a Sweat

  The Bobcats’ next game was against the Sharks. The Sharks had won both of their games this season. It would be a hard test.

  The sun was shining brightly as Ben sat on the grass, watching the Eagles battle Loop’s team, the Falcons. Ben would be out on that field in a few minutes.

  His teammates were also waiting, either watching the game as Ben was or kicking a ball around off to the side. Ben was well aware that Mark hadn’t arrived yet.

  Maybe he won’t show up, Ben thought. Part of him hoped that would happen. He and Erin and Shayna were more than ready to work together, and Mark would keep hogging the ball. But Ben also had to admit that Mark was a pretty good athlete. He could be a big plus, if he’d show some teamwork. Otherwise, he did more harm than good.

  The other game ended. Loop’s team had lost, and he looked frustrated.

  Ben jogged onto the field, then sprinted from one end to the other. He couldn’t wait to get started.

  Coach Patty was standing by one of the goals. She waved her arm and the Bobcats ran over.

  “I only see seven,” Coach said. “Who’s missing?”

  “Take a guess,” said Shayna, rolling her eyes.

  “Well, let’s hope he gets here soon,” Coach said.

  Ben turned to Erin. “Let’s hope not,” he whispered.

  “I’ll play goalie for the warm-up,” Coach said. “Give me a passing line and a shooting line.”

  Ben took the first spot in the shooting line, about ten yards in front of the goal. Jordan took the ball toward the corner and passed to Ben, who fired it toward the goal.

  Coach grabbed the shot and rolled it to the corner, where Erin was waiting. “Keep it moving!” Coach yelled. “Quick passes, quick shots. Everybody keep running.”

  Ben took the next pass and sent a sharp pass to the shooter. Then he angled over to the shooter’s position, bobbing up and down as he waited. He was already starting to sweat. Things were looking good for the Bobcats; everybody seemed ready.

  After Ben shot, he ran to the corner. And there was Mark, just ahead of him in line. He hadn’t seen him arrive.

  Mark turned and smirked at Ben, then looked away. He fielded the ball, kicked the ball hard toward the next shooter, and ran to that line, bumping Ben with his shoulder as he went by.

  What a jerk, Ben thought. But that’s what he’d expected. Mark was going to keep doing whatever was good for himself.

  The Sharks were fast and talented. They kept control of the ball for most of the first half, and the Bobcats had to work hard to keep them from scoring.

  Ben spent most of the half on defense. He stole the ball twice and forced one Shark to kick the ball out of bounds.

  But the Sharks kept coming back. They took several hard shots. Finally, one of the shots got past Shayna, who was doing a great job as goalie. The Sharks had the lead, 1–0.

  “Keep it up,” Coach Patty said at halftime. “We’ll put Ben and Mark and Shayna on the front line for the second half. Work together, and let’s score some goals of our own.”

  Ben sat on the bench and took a drink of water. He glanced over at Mark, who had taken off one of his shoes and was rubbing his foot.

  Ben hadn’t spoken to Mark since the four-square game the other day. He wondered if Mark had thought about what Ben had said about passing after the last practice.

  I’ll find out soon, Ben thought.

  The second half started out just like the first. The Sharks took the ball and headed toward the Bobcats’ goal, making sharp passes and dribbling quickly.

  Erin stepped toward the player with the ball and blocked his path. The Shark player tried to dodge past her, but Erin got her foot on the ball and knocked it away. She ran to it and kicked it up the field. Shayna was there to get it.

  Shayna took a few quick steps, running near the sideline. Ben turned and ran to the middle of the field.

  “I’m here!” he called to Shayna.

  Shayna passed the ball ahead of Ben. He ran it down and took control. The field was wide open ahead of him.

  Ben ran up the field with the ball. Shayna was on one side of him and Mark was on the other, each about ten yards away.

  Now the Sharks had caught up. Two ran over to Ben, blocking his path and coming toward the ball. But Ben was quick. He stopped short and turned his body to protect the ball. Then he kicked it along the grass toward Mark.

  The Bobcats were moving now. Three good passes had done the trick. Mark was getting closer to the goal.

  But two Sharks had raced over, and Mark no longer had a clear path to the goal. He moved away from them, but now he was in the corner of the field.

  Ben yelled, “Triangle!” He’d noticed that they were set up just like in the drill they ran in practice. Mark was in the corner. Ben was the second point. And Shayna was the third point, right in front of the goal.

  But what did Mark do? He shot the ball at the goal. It had almost no chance to get there. The ball rolled out of bounds.

  “He’s hogging the ball again!” Ben said to Shayna as they ran back.

  Shayna shook her head. “I know. We were both open.”

  Ben looked at Mark. “Pass it!” he yelled.

  Mark looked at Ben. And instead of making a face or saying something mean, he did something Ben never expected. He blushed.

  “I thought I could score,” Mark said. He shook his head. Then he ran toward a Shark player who was dribbling quickly down the field.

  Mark kicked the ball at the same time that the Shark did. The ball popped into the air and bounced toward the sideline.

  The Shark player got to it first. He kicked it hard, but it came straight at Ben.

  The ball was too high for Ben to kick it, but he knew what to do. As long as he didn’t use his hands, he could stop the ball with any part of his body.

  The ball was coming toward Ben’s chest. He leaned back and tightened his muscles. The ball hit his chest and fell to the ground. Ben started running with it right away.

  The Sharks were caught off guard. Ben had lots of room ahead. He ran straight toward the goal, moving as fast as he
knew how.

  Only the goalie had a chance to stop him now. Ben was almost to the goal. The goalie stepped toward him with his arms spread wide.

  It would be a tough shot to make, but Ben knew that he could slip the ball to the side of the goalie and get it into the goal. He saw a flash of blue on his right. It was Mark!

  Ben leaned to his left, hoping the goalie would dodge to that side. He did.

  Ben’s choice was clear. He softly passed the ball to his right, just in front of Mark. That side of the goal was wide open. Mark booted the ball into the net.

  Mark leaped into the air and shouted, “Yes!” He’d scored the Bobcats’ first goal of the season. And even better than that, the game was tied.

  “Nice pass!” Mark said.

  Ben couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Nice shot,” he replied.

  They ran back to their end of the field. There was still time. They could win this game.

  Here came the Sharks. They weren’t done yet, either.

  “Play tough defense!” called Ben. “Let’s get that ball back.”

  Two quick passes brought the ball close to the Bobcats’ goal. It looked as if the Sharks would get off a shot, but Erin stepped in and stole the ball. She dribbled once and passed the ball to Shayna.

  “Here we go!” shouted Ben.

  Shayna passed to Ben, then ran up the field. Ben took two steps and fired the ball back to Shayna. He ran alongside her, several yards away.

  There wasn’t much time left in the game. This would be the Bobcats’ last chance to win it. Shayna and Ben and Mark raced up the field. They had to get a shot off soon.

  Shayna had the ball deep in the Sharks’ end of the field. Ben drifted back a few feet and shouted, “Triangle!”

  Shayna passed him the ball. Ben dribbled forward. He could shoot or he could pass. But he had to decide in a second.

  Mark was covered. Ben’s best option was to shoot. He planted his left foot and brought back his right. Two Sharks ran in front of him. Ben pulled the ball back and dodged to his left.