Softball Switch-Up

By Jake Maddox and Andrea Gianopoulos

Raisa Kumar has been playing softball for years, and thanks to the support and encouragement of her team, the Tigers, she's one of the best pitchers in the league. When a new girl, Annie, joins the team and wants to learn how to pitch, Raisa is eager to help. But Raisa is sure her way is the best way, what words for her has to work for Annie. Can Raisa lean to step back and share the mound for the good of her team?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781496587657

Jake Maddox

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Book preview

Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories: Softball Switch-Up by Jake Maddox

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

CHAPTER 1:STEPPING UP FOR THE TEAM

CHAPTER 2:SHARING THE MOUND

CHAPTER 3:THE PITCHER GOES WILD

CHAPTER 4:ANNIE STRIKES OUT

CHAPTER 5:PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT

CHAPTER 6:CURVEBALL

CHAPTER 7:A SUDDEN REALIZATION

CHAPTER 8:WHAT’S BEST FOR THE TEAM

Author Bio

Illustrator Bio

Glossary

Discussion Questions

Writing Prompts

More About Softball

Explore More

Copyright

Back Cover

CHAPTER 1

Stepping Up for the Team

Raisa Kumar was in her room, dusting the softball trophy on her shelf. The new season started on Tuesday. She was excited to reunite with her team, the Tigers. Raisa paused as she heard her grandmother’s voice.

Raisa! Nona called. There’s someone here to see you.

Coming! Raisa ran to the kitchen. Coach Garcia, her softball team’s head coach, was sitting at the table.

Why is Coach Garcia here? she wondered. I hope everything is OK.

Hello, Raisa, the coach said. She pointed at the dust cloth in Raisa’s hand. Were you cleaning?

Raisa blushed. Dusting my softball trophy, she said.

Nona laughed. You dust it every day! Keep it up, and you’ll wear a hole in it! she joked.

I can’t help it! Raisa said. "We won our first championship last season. I want us to win again."

Coach Garcia smiled. I’m glad you’re proud. Your pitching was one of the reasons we beat out fifteen other teams. She leaned forward. In fact, your pitching is why I’m here.

Raisa’s stomach fluttered. She was the team’s starting pitcher.

Did I mess something up? I hope she’s not here to tell me she’s moving me, she thought nervously.

I wanted to talk to you about our new player: Annie Nanton, Coach Garcia said. She’s new to the game. I’m starting her out in right field, but she’s eager to learn how to pitch too.

Raisa blew out a relieved breath. Fantastic! she said. "It’s just me and Kaitlyn pitching now. An extra person would