CHAPTER 5
The next day at practice, everything was back to normal. No one had forgotten about the strange things happening to the bag, but everyone was excited for their game against Springfield on Saturday. It was only two days away.
After the players warmed up with laps and stretches, Coach Jones said, “Everyone grab your gloves and spread out in the field! We’re going to play 500!”
All the girls cheered. 500 was a really fun game to play. Plus, Coach Jones usually gave a prize to the winner.
“I’ll hit,” Coach Jones said. “I’ll use a t-ball stand so no one will have to pitch or catch.”
The rules of 500 were pretty simple. As Coach Jones hit each ball, she would call out a number.
Whoever caught the ball won that round, and would get as many points as the number Coach called out. Whoever got to 500 points first would be the winner of the game.
Becca knew she had to be careful, though. Coach was famous for yelling out negative numbers that would make a score go down!
“Make sure you’re listening when I yell out the points,” Coach Jones said. “Okay, let’s play!”
The softball players ran to the field. They all spread out.
“The rules are the same as last year,” Coach Jones shouted. “Everyone keep track of your own score. First girl to get 500 points wins a prize.” She placed a t-ball stand at home plate and set a ball on top.
The girls were all in position. “Everybody ready?” yelled Coach. Then she gripped the bat and swung.
The ball flew to the outfield as Coach shouted, “Fifty points!”
“Mine!” Eva called. She put her glove up to catch the ball. With a muffled thunk, the ball landed in her glove.
“Nice catch, Eva,” Becca said.
Eva grinned. “Thanks!” she said, throwing the ball back to Coach.
Coach Jones swung and hit the ball again. “Two hundred!” she yelled.
“Got it!” called Becca. She caught the ball with a smile and threw it back to Coach.
The game took up the rest of that day’s practice. Becca and Eva and their teammates ran all over the field, catching balls and sending them back to Coach Jones.
Every once in a while, Coach would yell out a negative number, just to make sure they were paying attention. Once, Eva stopped herself just in time to let a negative ball hit the ground.
The game finally ended when Coach hit a high ball that flew way into the outfield. She yelled “Five hundred!”
Since Becca was taller and faster than almost everyone else, she ran back and caught it.
“Yay!” she yelled. She’d never won 500 before. It felt great!
“Way to go, Becca!” Eva said, smiling.
“Nice job, everyone,” said Coach. She pulled something out of her pocket and held it out toward Becca. “Here’s your prize, Becca. You did a great job today.”
Becca smiled. “Thanks, Coach,” she said. She opened the small envelope that Coach Jones had handed her. “A gift card to Pizza Moon? This is awesome!” she said. “Thanks so much!”
“You earned it,” Coach said, smiling. “See you all at practice tomorrow.”
Smiling, Becca walked off the field and headed for her bike, which she’d locked to the fence. But as she carefully opened the lock, she had the strange feeling that she was being watched.