Lucky At Bat

By Alisse Goldenberg and Joseph Goldenberg

Discover a life-changing story about courage, teamwork, and the power of believing in your dreams!

When Jack discovers that his pet rat Lucky has a knack for baseball, the little furball quickly becomes the star mascot (and secret batting coach!) for his Little League team. Their decision is an instant hit, and Jack is qui

• Language: English
• Publisher: Koehler Books
• Release date: Dec 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781646638604

Alisse Goldenberg

Alisse Lee Goldenberg is an award-winning author of children's literature, horror, and young adult paranormal romance and fantasy fiction. She is currently working on four series: The Sitnalta Series, The Children of Colonodona, The Dybbuk Scrolls, and The Bath Salts Journals (co-authored with An Tran). She has her bachelor of education, a fine arts degree, and has studied fantasy and folklore since she was a child. Alisse is also a screenwriter and playwright, creating the world of Jay & Shilo. She is currently living in Toronto with her husband, Brian, and their triplets, Joseph, Phillip, and Hailey.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

1

LUCKY was a happy rat. In his mind, there was the before time and the now time. In the before time, there was the man. The man was not so kind to Lucky and his brothers. He remembers how he and his brothers were left by the side of the road in a cage. That had been a bad day. Lucky thought that would be it for them. But they were found by a kind lady—rescued. Lucky found the rescue to be noisy. There had been so many other rats there, all squeaking and climbing, and there was never any time to rest or think. But then came the now time.

Lucky didn’t understand what was happening when he and his brothers had been packed up in the girl’s car and driven away to a house. But in the house was a ten-year-old boy. Lucky heard him be called Jack, and Jack smelled of candy, French fries, and home. The second Lucky sniffed Jack’s hand, he scurried up his small fingers and into Jack’s palm. He nuzzled the boy, hoping he would never let him go. Jack held him close and laughed and smiled. Lucky knew that Jack was good. He turned back and saw one of his brothers doing the same. He heard Jack tell the lady that these rats were perfect, and soon, he and his brother were taken. They were placed in a giant cage filled with toys, ropes, and levels for them to climb and explore. This house was quiet. This house was calm. This house was home. And the boy, Jack, named them Lucky and Gus-Gus. And they were loved.

* * *

Lucky peered out the bars of his cage. His nose twitched in curiosity. Jack was a whirlwind of activity. The boy’s brown hair stood up in every direction, and his blue eyes were wide in frustration.

I can’t find it! Jack exclaimed.

Lucky squeaked and held the bars in his tiny paws. His brown and white fur was immaculately kept—a far cry from the scruffy style of the before days. He looked down at Gus-Gus, his much larger, rounder brother. Gus-Gus was once again grooming his grey fur and paused to look up with narrowed eyes.

What did Jack lose this time? Gus-Gus asked. He looked out into the room, seeing piles of sweatpants and socks scattered about as if a bomb went off.

I don’t know, Lucky answered. But it must be important. He seems upset.

Well, if he just kept his space as organized as ours, he wouldn’t have this problem every day. Gus-Gus yawned, showing his big teeth. He turned around and settled down into the aspen shavings, ready to take a nap.

Lucky couldn’t relax so easily. He wanted to help his boy. It didn’t seem right. It was obvious Jack was looking for an item of clothing. But the day was almost over. Perhaps his pyjamas? But that couldn’t be it. Those were obviously thrown over the cymbals of his electric drum set. He watched as Jack tackled the mess on the floor of his closet. He sighed. The people who complained that rats were messy obviously had never set foot in a human child’s room. Lucky watched as Jack sifted through the piles of clothes that should have been on hangers and heard Jack’s triumphant yell as he sat back on his heels, one hand held high, holding up a thin blue button-up shirt.

My jersey! Jack said. Yes! Just in time!

Lucky watched, bemused, as Jack threw the shirt on top of his overalls, leaving the buttons undone. If he had buttoned it properly, the words on the front—Blue Jays—would have been clear. Jack walked over to the rats’ cage and peered inside.

It’s opening night, Jack said, his voice gentle. Do you guys want to come watch the game?

Game? Lucky was confused. What sort of game? he thought. The only ones he knew were chase and wrestling, and he played them with Gus-Gus. Lucky hopped over to one of the cage’s many doors and sat back on his haunches, looking eager. Gus-Gus stood and crept closer as well. After all, where Jack went, snacks were sure to follow. Jack opened the door closest to Lucky and the rat jumped into his waiting hands. Jack carefully placed Lucky into the front pocket of his overalls and then picked up Gus-Gus and gave him a snuggle before putting him beside his brother.

What do you think this game is? Lucky asked Gus-Gus as they made their way downstairs.

Gus-Gus shook his head. He voiced his opinion to Lucky. Don’t know, don’t really care. I wonder if he’s having nachos tonight. To Jack, the rats’ words were merely squeaks and chittering.

Jack settled down on the living room couch, the television already on. Did I miss it, Dad? he asked.

Nope, you’re right on time, his father replied.

I made popcorn, Jack’s mother chimed in.

Score! Gus-Gus squeaked.

Did you really bring the rats down? Jack’s mother asked.

I wanted to show them baseball, Jack said. They’ll behave. Won’t you guys?

Lucky squeaked. Of course, he’d behave! he thought. He couldn’t believe Jack’s mother would think he wouldn’t. He was a teddy bear, or so the veterinarian claimed.

Fine, Jack’s mother said. But if they make a mess, you’re cleaning it up.

I promise, Mom, Jack assured her. He reached out a hand for a bowl of popcorn and settled in. The first thing he did was pick up a few kernels and hand them down to the pets in his pocket. Gus-Gus sighed in contentment and began munching away cheerfully. Lucky held his tightly and watched, wide-eyed, as the spectacle unfolded on the screen before him.

Lucky had never seen anything like it before in his life. He watched—transfixed—as the men on both teams hit the ball, threw it, caught it, and ran around the field at Rogers Centre. He felt Jack quivering with excitement as the Toronto Blue Jays played with their all. He heard his boy whoop with delight at every hit and every home run. By the third inning, after listening to his people and watching the game, Lucky thought he understood it. He loved it. The game was simple enough to follow, and the concentration and patience needed to play well—well, he wanted to try. A fire had been lit within him, and he had baseball fever.

Long after the game ended, with the Jays winning with a spectacular walk-off grand slam, Lucky was still pacing the cage, his blue willow ball clutched in a paw. It’s the bottom of the fifth, and Gus-Gus is at bat. He has three balls and two strikes, he muttered to himself. It’s a full count. Lucky winds up and lets it fly. He threw the ball and heard it strike the bars of the cage across from him. It’s a strike! Lucky strikes him out!

Can you stop it? Gus-Gus said from his corner in the aspen shavings. I’m tired and you’re very annoying.

I’m sorry, Lucky said. It’s just that that game was so cool! I want to play.

Gus-Gus snorted. You? Oh, please. Rats don’t play baseball.

Lucky’s head fell and his whiskers drooped. He knew that Gus-Gus was right. All the players on the television had been men—human men. But, just maybe, he could play with Jack? He turned to watch his boy snoring softly in his bed. Yes, he would play with him. And he would watch more games with him. Maybe even all of them.

CHAPTER TWO

18

It was Sunday morning and Jack was