Playin' Catch With Dad

By Christopher R. Ford

Ronnie is the new kid, in a new town, at a new school. Oh yeah and he’s tying to make it on the best baseball team ever!

With hard work, (not-so) nerves of steel, new friends, and some help from his dad, Ronnie goes all-out to make his baseball dreams come true. Can he do it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483582313

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CHAPTER ONE

PLAYIN’ CATCH

Playin’ catch with my dad. It’s my favorite thing to do!

Keep your eye on the ball. My dad says.

I’m getting pretty good at it my dad says.

He’s always giving me tips.

Grip the ball across the seams.

Practice makes perfect. He always says.

Move your arm in a circular motion.

Make sure your shoulder is pointing where you want to throw the ball.

Use your fingers and wrist to throw.

This will be my first year playing in a new little league and I’m super excited. It’s fall now and the season doesn’t start until the spring but my dad says we have to start now to get ready.

Always prepare. That’s lesson number one.

CHAPTER TWO

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today is the first day of school. I’m starting 5th grade at Wilford Elementary in this random town in Texas. This is a new school and a new town for me. We just moved here and I don’t know anyone yet so I’m pretty nervous. Oh my name is Ronnie by the way, Ronnie Williams. Sometimes I forget to introduce myself.

I also don’t like to introduce myself…that might be why I always forget to do it.

But before we continue I guess I should give you some more info about myself. I’m 10 years old, I’m tall but pretty skinny, lanky my dad says. I’m a pretty standard kid but I do have a sweet mini-fro so that’s cool. Baseball is my favorite sport but I like to play basketball too.

Let’s see what else? My favorite food is pizza, my favorite show is American Ninja Warrior, my favorite comic book character is Superman and my favorite book is The Sorcerer’s Stone. And if being a baseball player doesn’t work out I’d like to be a ninja or a writer. Oh I also have an annoying little brother. And I think that’s about it so back to the here and now…

I find my class and take a seat…way in the back. All the other kids are talking and laughing and running around while we wait for out teacher to come in. Looks fun but no one is talking to me. I’m the new kid so I get it. I just hope the teacher doesn’t call on me and I don’t have to stand up in front of the class. I don’t like to introduce myself remember?

As soon as I get comfortable at my desk, the bell rings and in walks our teacher, Mrs. Taylor and all the kids get quiet. She’s very short with glasses and curly grey hair. She looks like a grandma. Kinda like my grandma! Hopefully she’s nice like my grandma too. She starts off nice enough, nothing about a test or homework yet.

Welcome back children. I’m so glad to see everyone again. Hope you all had a great summer.

She obviously knows everyone so hopefully we’ll get straight to the schoolwork…I can’t believe I just thought that.

But before we get started… she says.

Uh-oh.

I do see that we have one new student…

Oh no.

Please don’t call on me. Please don’t call on me. Please don’t call on me.

Mr. Williams…

I knew it!

As our newest student can you stand up and introduce yourself to the class please?

I wonder what would happen if I said no. She did ask it wasn’t an order. But no way am I brave enough to try and find out.

I stand up next to my desk. I’m sweaty and nervous. I really hate introducing myself

Just tell us your name, where you are from, and one thing about yourself.

My…my…name. I’m stuttering. Everyone is staring. I hear some giggles. Not good.

My mouth is dry and I’m sweating. Things are getting worse. I have to close my eyes for a second and let my mind wander…

I’m playin’ catch with my dad.

Do you ever get nervous dad?

Of course. Everyone does.

What do you do?

I throw the ball to him.

Usually I just stop for a moment, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.

That’s it?

And I remind myself I can do it.

You make it sound so easy.

It is.

He tosses the ball high into the air. It goes up and up and up. I almost lose it in the clouds. But I keep my eyes on it and finally it falls into my glove.

I open my eyes. All the kids are still staring at me. I take a deep breath. I can do this.

My name is Ronnie Williams. I’m from Michigan, and I like baseball.

I sit down quickly. That’s it. There are a couple of giggles but no big deal. I survived! Dad was right.

I feel better and now we can get back to work. Can’t believe I’m saying that again. Mrs. Taylor starts to write on the whiteboard so I think things are back to normal. As she’s writing and talking the kid next to me turns my way.

Psst.

I’m not sure he’s talking to me so I ignore it.

Psst. He does it again.

I look over.

Hey. He says. I like baseball too.

He nods and smiles. I smile and nod back. This whole introducing yourself thing might not be so bad after all.

We make it to lunchtime which happens to be the second worst thing about the first day of school when you’re new. Where can I sit? Who can I sit with? How’s the food?

I walk into the cafeteria and it is just as I feared. Kids everywhere and it looks like everyone has their seats picked out. Hopefully after I get my food I’ll be able to find a place to sit. I want the pizza but I get the turkey sandwich since I’m in training.

Staying in shape is important. My dad always says.

I have my food but still nowhere to sit. I look and look and look. Nowhere. I guess I’ll just start walking and hopefully I’ll find something. I feel the stares again. I’m starting to get nervous again.

Hey! Over here. A voice from out of nowhere shouts. I look around but I don’t see anyone talking to me.

Over here! The voice repeats.

I look around and finally see a kid waiving his hands at me. It’s the same kid from my class that likes baseball. He has a seat open next to him and waves me over. Perfect! I sit down immediately before someone else takes it.

Thanks. I say.

No prob.

What’s your name? I ask.

My name is Adrian.

Adrian is a big kid, the biggest kid in the whole school as far as I can tell. And he has a huge afro way bigger than mine and all the hair makes him look even bigger. But most importantly he looks friendly.

I’m Ronnie

Yeah I know.

We both laugh remembering my classroom introduction. It was short but pretty memorable I guess.

So you like baseball? I ask.

Yup it’s my favorite sport.

Mine too! I reply enthusiastically. Maybe too excitedly even.

But I can’t help it. Anytime I meet a fellow baseball fan I’m happy.

What position do you play? I ask.

Catcher.

This is perfect for me!

I pitch! Again a little too excited. Sorry.

Cool. He says very cool like.

Are you gonna try out for the team? he continues.

Yup. Can’t wait.

Me neither. I hope you’re good. We need a new pitcher, one of our best moved outta town.

Uh-oh. I think to myself. But maybe he’s exaggerating he probably wasn’t that good right? Right?

How good was he?

Great. He was undefeated last year and threw harder than anyone else in the whole league. Probably the whole city!

The whole city? I don’t like the sound of this. I haven’t been pitching that long and I don’t even know how hard I throw but I’m pretty sure it’s not the hardest in the whole city.

Please don’t ask how hard I throw. Please don’t ask how hard I throw…

How hard do you throw?

Of course!

Um…

I gotta stall for time and um is always a good way to do that. I start looking around too. That’s another second or two. Oh wait he’s starting to look at me funny. Think! He’s still looking. Just say something!

I throw pretty hard.

It’s the best I can do under all this pressure.

Cool.

That’s it? Well at least he didn’t ask exactly how hard so I won’t complain.

Since you’re the new kid you should probably just hang out with me I’ll show you around the school.

Cool. I reply (in a cool way finally).

And as far as the team is concerned can’t wait to see you out there and see what you can do.

Me neither. I reply but deep down I’m nervous.

I gotta go home and practice first.

CHAPTER THREE

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Bend your elbow.

Stride straight. Point your shoulders.

More tips from my dad while we’re playin’ catch in the backyard. It’s been a week since I told Adrian I could throw hard and I’ve been working really hard at making that happen. The first thing is doing pushups everyday before I go to bed. I figure the bigger my muscles get the harder I’ll be able to throw. I think that’s scientific and I think my arms are getting bigger. But I know I gotta do more.

Can you teach me to throw hard? I ask my dad out of the blue one day.

He laughs a little bit.

What’s so funny? I ask kinda embarrassed.

Why do you want to throw hard?

I’m a pitcher I have to throw hard.

Says who?

I cock my arm back and try and throw the ball as hard as I can…and it goes sailing over his head and over the fence. He just looks at me. The look says go to the neighbor’s house and get the ball. I put my head down and march.

I return with the ball and my dad is waiting for me at the front door with a big smile on his face.

Maybe we should work on your control first.

He rubs my head. It’s something he likes to do to mess with me.

C’mon dad. I plead with him to stop doing that and teach me how to throw harder.

Why do you want to throw harder? Really. He asks.

I start looking around. Gotta waste some time again.

Well…

Well what?

He’s not gonna let me stall. I guess I’ll just spit it out.

I met a kid at school the other day, and he’s the catcher on the team.

And?

And I kinda told him I could throw hard.

My dad laughs again. I’m turning red from embarrassment. He would never tell someone he could throw hard just to get them to like him. He’s a person that doesn’t care what others think. I missed out on that trait however.

I know what he’s going to say next.

Why?

He doesn’t understand the pressures of being a kid. Especially a new kid in a new town in a new school with new people. Honestly I don’t think he was ever a kid he was just born a grownup. So I have to explain how it is.

Being the new kid is tough. And sometimes you have to do certain stuff to fit in.

Like stretch the truth?

Sorry dad.

Ronnie never be afraid to be yourself.

It’s not that easy.

Being yourself is the easiest thing to do. You’re already you so you don’t even have to do anything.

But you really have to do a lot. Probably too much. You have to say the right things, wear the right clothes, and hang out with the right kids. Parents have already been through it and everything is less complicated for them now so they forget how hard it was.

A kid’s life isn’t as easy as an adults. I try to explain to him.

This only results in his biggest laugh yet.

Daaaad. That came out way more whinny than I wanted it to.

I understand. I really do son. But I want to teach you that being yourself is good enough. Always has, always will be. And if that’s not good enough for someone, then they aren’t meant to be your friend.

I know I know…but I would like to throw harder.

Another laugh, but then he gives me a smile.

Let’s go.

He takes me back to the backyard.

Throwing a little harder couldn’t be a bad thing. He says finally seeing things my way.

I go to one end of the yard and he walks to the other.

Now throwing hard doesn’t mean anything if you can’t control it and it’s not just about flailing your arm harder. Control, remember that.

Got it. I reply.

We practice some new techniques for a little longer. I think it’s working, I can’t prove it but I think I threw a couple of pitches pretty hard so I’m feeling good.

After dinner and I brush my teeth I get in bed excited to go to school and talk to Adrian. And no I can’t believe I just said I’m excited for school.

I get my dad to drop me off at school earlier than usual. I want to let Adrian know how my practicing is going. I see him in the cafeteria.

Ronnie, over here!

Adrian waves me over to his table. I walk over excitedly but as I get closer I see a group of other kids. Now I’m anxious. I play it cool (try to at least) and make it to the table. Everyone is staring at me. I hate being stared at.

Who are these kids? I think to myself.

This is a bunch of kids from the team. Says Adrian out loud reading my mind.

Guys, Ronnie. Ronnie, guys.

Everyone waves. I wave back. And then I notice…her.

Tall, skinny, glasses with braids. A girl! A girl? Is she on the team or just hanging out at the table?

Take a picture it’ll last longer. She says to me.

Huh? I reply.

You’re staring pretty hard.

I was so surprised to see a girl I didn’t even realize I was staring at her the whole time.

My bad. I reply super embarrassed.

I’m Billie. She says.

I’m Ronnie.

I know. She says and everyone else laughs. Adrian did just introduce me. Oops.

Ronnie’s a pitcher too Billie. Adrian announces.

Really? Billie says surprised.

A girl, named Billie that pitches? I’m the one that should be surprised.

Yeah. I reply, getting back to playing it cool.

Good we need another pitcher. Are you any good?

She certainly is direct.

He throws pretty hard. Adrian says before I can respond.

So do I. She says confidently.

For a girl. Another one of the kids says laughing. I just met her but I already know that’s not a good idea. She looks at him, does something funny with her eyebrows, frowns and just stares at him. He stops laughing.

She turns back to me.

Are you definitely trying out?

Definitely.

Cool. Let me know if you want to practice before tryouts.

Yeah we should all do it. Adrian adds.

Um yeah let’s do it. I say. Inside I’m totally not ready for that but like I said, I gotta play it cool.

Awesome. When do you wanna do it? asks Billie.

This is too much too fast. I just wanted to tell Adrian how my pitching was coming along and now I’ve agreed to pitch with the best pitcher on the team. Who is a girl by the way! It’s like a tryout before tryouts!

Um…

The bell rings.

Time to go. Adrian says. I quickly get up to head to class. Saved by the bell.

Billie taps me on the shoulder before I can get away.

Meet me here after school and we can figure out when to go practice. Billie says. Delayed by the bell instead of saved is more like it.

Sitting in class I can’t concentrate. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna tell Billie? I need at least another week maybe two practicing with my dad before I show what I got to anyone else. Maybe I can make up enough excuses to hold them off for two weeks. Better yet, maybe she’ll forget all together! Ah who am I kidding? That’s not gonna happen. I gotta think.

Ronnie? Ronnie?

I snap back into the classroom.

Apparently Mrs. Taylor has been calling me.

Huh?

That’s the best I can do at the moment.

Can you tell us the major event in Sounder? (That’s the name of the book we are reading by the way.)

Ummm…

Not much better than the huh I already know.

Then the bell rings so class is over! Wow saved by the bell again! But I still have to figure out what to tell Adrian and Billie. So much pressure! I think I’m gonna make a run for it. Hopefully my dad will get here to pick me up on time.

As the rest of the day unfolds I skillfully avoid Billie and Adrian, and now school’s almost out. I have my escape route totally mapped out: Make a left outside the classroom (everyone goes right so I’ll avoid traffic and Billie and Adrian), go around the library, past the nurse’s office, and make a right at the cafeteria. I should get there before anyone else, then head straight out the front door to my dad’s SUV waiting for me.

4…3…2…1. School’s out, time to move!

Cut left. Just as I thought no one is going this way. Hit the library, it’s clear, so far so good! First to the cafeteria, hey this is actually gonna work! I make it outside. Freedom!

But wait. Where’s my dad? I look at the line of cars but there’s no sign of my dad’s. It’s huge and red so it’s hard to miss. This is the worst time to be late! Ok just relax I’m sure he’ll be here any second. And besides, I got out here so quickly and stealth ninja-like it’s not like Adrian or Billie even saw…

Hey Ronnie! I hear as someone taps me on the shoulder.

I’ve been looking all over for you.

It’s Billie. Busted!

Oh hey Billie. I say playing it as cool as possible.

I was just out here waiting on my dad. Inside I’m screaming Where is he?!?

No problem. So when do you wanna play catch? She is way too direct.

Umm…

Oh I got it!

I have to ask my dad.

I knew he would come in handy.

Oh ok cool. She replies.

Cool indeed I think to myself as finally my dad pulls up.

Well I gotta go.

Cool let me know tomorrow.

Tomorrow? She just doesn’t give up.

Ok. I reply.

I get in my dad’s car. Billie waves and I wave back as we drive off?

Oh got a girlfriend already? My dad says jokingly.

Pleased dad.

I’m just messing with you son.

I have to talk to you seriously. I say.

Ok shoot.

Can we wait till after dinner then go and practice? I can tell you then.

Sure thing kiddo. He replies with a smile.

Sometimes I don’t like to admit it but it’s good to have him to talk to.

After dinner me and my dad go into the backyard, gloves and ball in hand.

Thump! The ball pops into my dad’s glove and echoes.

Wow that was pretty good. The practice is working just like I told you it would.

Thanks. I say as he tosses the ball back to me.

So who is she?

Who is who? I reply even though I know exactly who he’s talking about.

Your girl friend…I mean, your friend that’s a girl. He laughs at his own joke. I don’t.

She’s actually the pitcher for the baseball team.

Really? That’s cool.

"You think so?

Yeah why not?

But she’s a girl.

So?

Girls don’t play baseball.

"This one does.

I stop and think. Good point, she does.

Is she good?

They say she’s really good.

Good.

That means I need to get good too.

And you will, you just have to keep practicing.

Oh yeah practice. The feeling of dread returns.

Speaking of practice… I just gotta spit it out. So Billie wants to practice with me.

Who’s Billie? My dad asks.

Dad the pitcher. The girl!

Oh. Her name is Billie? And she pitches? I like her already!

This is serious! She wants me to tell here when we can all practice together but I’m not ready.

Sure you are. He says casually but I have no idea how he can say that.

You’re improving already. And it’s practice, you have to do it to keep getting better anyway. Practice makes perfect.

He’s right…I guess.

When should I tell then?

This Saturday would be good. I can take you all to the park.

Ok I say and there we have it. Three days to get really, really good. I need to stop being nervous and start getting determined.

The next day at school I tell Billie and Adrian we can practice Saturday and they both agree. After dinner the next two days me and my dad