(Insert Clever Title Here)

By: Shyloh White

(2nd-Final Draft)

Chapter 1
It was summer 2015, at the baseball field at Point Loma High School. The
little league softball team, The Brave Explorers were playing a small game to
practice for a big softball game at Petco Park for the play-offs. They were playing a
game against a team from a local middle school. Millennial Tech Middle School
and their team, The Techie Timberwolves. It was the bottom of the ninth at the
Point Loma High School Softball Field, and the The Brave Explorers were up to bat.
Their best player, Isabel Irvine, was up at the plate. She was getting ready to give
the bat a nice swing when the ball came to her at a speed of 39 miles per hour. As
Isabel gets herself ready to swing, she realized that the pitcher was in line with
the catcher in the batting square. As the pitcher threw the ball, Isabel swung the
bat, hit the ball and sent the ball flying up in the air, over the defense team, and
out of the field. As Isabel rounded third base, she realized that this was a home
run. The coaches and the rest of the offense team cheered as Isabel slid into
home
plate.
Well, Isabel, Said one of the coaches. You have done well again. I hope you are
ready for the play-off coming up in the next few weeks. We are going up against
the Point Loma Mariners. We are playing at Petco Park. I hope you bring your
game face.
I

will

not

let

you

down,

coach,

said

Isabel.

Isabel was overwhelmed with excitement. Petco Park was one of the biggest
stadiums in San Diego. A lot of major events happen there. From science fairs to
Monster Jam, Petco Park was everyones go-to for San Diegos biggest events.
After practice was over and everyone was getting ready to go home, Isabel and
her dad, John, lingered behind to practice her swings, pitches, and catches before
heading
back
home.
So,
how
was
practice,
sweetheart?
her
dad
asked.
It was fun, Isabel said. I scored a home-run today! And the big game is in a few
weeks at Petco Park.
Thats great, honey! And the big game sounds exciting. I cant wait to see you in
that game, her dad said. Do you want to practice on the weekends, to get you
more prepared?
That sounds like a good idea, Isabel said.
Good. We will start this Saturday.

As John and Isabel were finishing up and packing up to go home, a young

boy about 16 years old came running onto the field. He was panting, as if hed
been
running
for
miles.
Excuse me? He asked, panting. Is this where practice for softball is?
Yes it is, said Isabel, greeting the newcomer. We were just about to head out.
Practice
is
already
over.
Really?
Yea,
I
am
afraid
so.
Well, I guess that means I missed it. Its nice to meet you. My name is
Christopher
Richardson.
But
you
can
call
me
Chris.
Nice to meet you, Chris. My name is Isabel. You must be new here.
I
am,
He
said.
Christopher Richardson just transferred schools. He was originally enrolled
at San Diego High School, which is located in The Downtown/Balboa Park area. He
enjoyed that school so much and he had a lot of friends there. But he had to
transfer because his parents moved from North Park to Point Loma. He thought
High Tech High Media Arts would be a great choice.
I transferred here about one and a half months ago. I wanted to try out for
softball. he said.
Well, I can help you get on the team and get you started before the big game in
Petco Park. replied Isabel, but youll have to practice on the weekends. My dad
and I are practicing on Saturday. Would you like to join us?
Just let me ask my mom to see if its ok. Chriss mom was waiting at the
entrance of the field. He ran over to ask her if it was OK to practice with Isabel this
Saturday.
As long as I get her dads phone number, its perfectly fine with me. said his
mom.
Isabel and her dad walk toward Chris. The parents exchanged phone numbers and
plans were set for a Saturday morning practice.

Chapter 2
Chris, Not as good player, new student. Isabel and Chris get to know each other.
Chris doesnt think he can be a good enough player. Isabel encourages Chris to try
his best.
It was 9:30 in the morning, and Chris was getting ready to practice with
Isabel. Isabels father drove her and Chris to morley field. As Isabel and Chris
made their way to the field, they grabbed 3 softballs, 2 bats, and a couple of
catching gloves. As Chris and Isabel waved goodbye to her dad, he said, I will
pick you two up at 12:30 so we can get lunch, later. As soon as John drives off,
Chris and Isabel start by practicing to catch and throw the softball. Chris throws
the ball, but it landed in front of Isabel, but it was not exactly to her.
So
close,
but
not
close
enough,
Said
Chris.

Its alright, Said Isabel, slightly grinning, We all have trouble on our first time.
May I please try again? Asked Chris.
Sure you can, Said Isabel, It is always important to practice a lot until you get
comfortable
with
it.
Chris holds the ball in his glove. He goes in for another attempt for a perfect
thrown. But as he throws, the ball launched over Isabels head and out of sight.
That sure went far, Said Isabel, watching the ball land into a bush across the
field.
You
have
a
good
arm.
But you didnt catch it. I want to be as good as the other players. I dont think I
am
cut
out
for
softball,
Chris
said
sadly.
Chris walked away and sat under a tree with his head in his arms. He was sad that
he couldnt be as good as any of the other team members. Isabel walked over to
Chris and sat down next to him.
Dont get down on yourself so quickly, Isabel said to him, Give it one week. I
know you can do better. You can be a better player. Lets just practice throwing
today.
Isabel showed Chris how to place his hands on the ball for better grip.
This time, when you throw it, let the ball roll off the tip of your hand, and try not
to aim for my glove. Try to aim for my shoulder.
Chris was still struggling to get the hang of throwing the ball, but Isabel kept
on encouraging him. Letting him know when he was doing better. As the morning
went on, Chris aim got better and better. They were getting a bit tired, and
decided to take a break. They sat down on the grass. Just then, a bully, by the
name of Craig Gibson, came walking towards them. Chris recognized him from
school, where he saw him intimidating some of the other students in the hallways.
Craig is a 5 foot 9 inch student from Point loma High School. He was dressed
very nicely, and his hair was slicked back. Behind him were the rest of his friends,
all wearing polos, buttoned all the way up to the collar, and wearing expensive
shoes. Craig started to walk towards the pair with a sneer on his face.
Oh great, what does he want this time? Isabel scoffed.
Why
is
he
here?
Replied
Chris.
He usually come to mock the players. He thinks that his fancy softball gear
makes
him
the
Most
Valuable
Player,
Isabel
said.
HEY ISA-SMELL, what are you up to today? Still trying to be a decent player?
Teased
Craig.
Just
ignore
him,
Isabel,
whispers
Chris.
Who is this Isabel? Is he your boyfriend? Teased Craig again.
How
about
you
just
leave
us
alone,
Craig?
Said
Isabel.

Did you hear that guys? She is embarrassed in front of her boyfriend. I heard his
family
doesnt
even
have
a
car!
All of Craigs friends erupted in laughter. Chris motioned for Isabel to follow
him and they both walked away, still hearing the echos of laughter. Isabel was
clenching
her
fists.
She
seemed
very
angry.
Dont let guys like that bother you, said Chris, He is only here to try and bring
us down. I am not allowing that, and fighting doesnt solve anything.
But what he said, just now, was so rude. I wanted to hit him so hard, said Isabel,
angrily.
Look, its almost 12:30. We should probably look for your dad, and take him up
on
his
offer
for
lunch,
Suggested
Chris.
Yea, youre right, Said Isabel, calming down a bit. Craig brings out the worst in
me.

Chapter 3
Chris and Isabel continued their training every weekend and after school. Once
Chris had developed his throwing arm a bit more, they moved on to batting. Isabel
would pitch, and Chris would swing his hardest. However, he couldnt quite make
contact with the ball.
After a week of failed attempts to hit the ball, Chris was getting discouraged.
I cant do this, Ill let the team down, Chris said.
Dont say that! Said Isabel, youre doing great! Here, lets try another way of
batting
Isabel taught Chris another way to hold the bat. She found that her way would
help
him
be
a
better
batter.
So, you put one hand at the base of the bat, and you out your other hand here,
as
if
you're
choking
the
bat,
Isabel
Instructed.
Chris mimicked the hand placements Isabel was talking about a few seconds ago,
and
got
comfortable
holding
the
bat
that
way.
Wow. This is really comfortable, Said Chris, give the bat a few small swings.
Good job, said Isabel, Now you are ready to hit the ball. We are going to start
with
small
range
hits
and
swings.
Isabel threw a short range. The distance between Isabel and Chris was 5 feet
apart. Isabel threw the ball and Chris hit the ball and it landed right into Isabels
catching glove. Isabel was impressed, and she stepped back 3 more feet. This
went on for another few weekends, and Chris was able to hit from ranges as far as
20 feet.
You are doing very well, Chris, Isabel said happily, now you are ready for the
big game, next week.

Chapter 4

Today was the day. The big game. Chris felt excited and scared. He looked around
at his teammates, ready to go onto the field. They all looked so confident and
skilled. He was worried about letting them down. How well was he going to play
today?
Richardson! The captain barked. Time to get your head in the game!
Chris snapped back to the game at hand and got ready to play. He put on his mit,
and started jogging out to his 1st inning position of left fielder.
The rival team was stepping up to bat. Chris saw the first player step up to home
plate. The umpire was crouched and waiting. Isabel was getting ready to pitch,
and she would up to throw the ball. Suddenly, everything happened in the blink of
an eye. The batter hit the ball, sending it far towards the barrier on the north east
side of the field. Chris was running to the outfield. As the ball hit the ground, Chris
scooped the ball up with his glove, and threw it towards second base.
Okay. That was pretty good. Chris thought to himself. I bet if I can keep this up,
we can win the game.
After a few more players went up to bat, Chris didnt get too much of a chance to
show what skills he had. But soon enough, Chris was up to bat himself.
Okay Chris. You can do it. You practiced for this. Nothing can stop you now. He
said
in
his
head.
Chris walks up to the plate, he grips his hands and chokes the back, like Isabel
told him to when they practiced. He looked at the pitcher, showing he was ready.
The pitcher threw the ball in Chris direction, and Chris swung his fastest and
hardest, Chris hits the ball and it passes over everyone on the defence. Chris feels
accomplished that he hit the ball perfectly. As he started to run the bases, one of
the players on the opposite team catches the ball, as Chris hits 3rd base.
Out! The umpire calls
Despite his best shot, Chris felt like he had failed. The rest of the game followed
the same pattern: good hits, bad timing. Chris didnt score a single run. Before
long, it was clear the rival team would would win overall.
The Brave Explorers are up to bat again. This is the final inning, and the
bases are all loaded. It was Chris turn to bat again. He knew that if he hit the ball
at just the right time and at the right angle, he would get a home run. So the
pitcher on the point loma mariners, pitched the ball, Chris swung with all of his
might, and hit the ball. He felt accomplished. As he began to run to first base, he
was running with all of his speed, and as he rounded second base, he knew he
wasnt going to let his team down. By the time he rounded third base, the softball
was making its way to home plate, and Chris slid into home plate, but not before
the
ball
got
the
umpire
first.
Your

Out!

Boomed

the

umpire.

Chris was sad all over again. He didnt feel like he had impressed his team at all.
The final score was 19 to 18. The Point Loma Mariners won by One run. And that is
how the gem ended.

Chapter 5
After the game was over, Chris lost some of his good attitude. His team had
lost by one run.
If only I had caught the pop fly, we could have won the game.
Isabel
consoles
him
with
some
kind-hearted
words.
Dont you be so hard on yourself. The game was fun anyways. You did a great job
out
there,
Isabel
told
him.
Thank you Isabel, Said Chris, cheering up a little bit. You are a true friend.
Just then, Kevin, the captain of the The Point Loma Mariners jogs across the
field towards him.
That was a great game, said Kevin. We havent had competition like that in a
long
time.
That
was
a
real
challenge
for
us.
Thank you, said Isabel, We really enjoyed playing with you.
Chris
looks
at
the
captain
shyly,
and
said,
I wish I could have played a bit better. Our team almost won, Chris mumbles.
You almost did, Kevin said. You were the best player out there. How long have
you
been
playing?
I
started
a
few
months
ago,
Chris
admitted.
WOW, really?! Thats pretty rad, dude! said Kevin, estatically, How did you get
so
good
in
that
short
amount
of
time?
I trained him every weekend to try and help him get ready for this game, Isabel
chimed in.
Well it worked really well, Kevin replied. By the way, The whole team is going to
Dave And Busters and our team would like to invite you to our party.
Isabel immediately agrees and encourages Chris to join. Both teams end up
playing games, and eating food. By the end of the night, Chris realizes, that
winning isnt always about the prize, it is about the sportsmanship that comes
with it. Even though he lost the game, he has made a whole new team of friends,
and he felt like he belonged. Even Craig, the bully and his friends, seemed to get
along with Chris and everyone else at the party.