The HomeRun Trophy
Maddy and her brother Alex are on the same baseball team. Maddy is good at baseball. She can catch and she can hit. It’s all easy for her. Alex doesn’t think it’s easy. He usually sits on the bench, and the coach never asks hime to play.
“I want to play, too,” Alex says after the game.
“Do you even know how to play?” Maddy says,laughing.
Alex’s face turns red.
“I have an announcement,” the coach says. “The player with the most home runs at the end of the season will win a trophy.”
Maddy looks at Alex and declares, “I’m going to win.”
I need a plan, Alex thinks. I want to win the trophy and show them that I can play well, too. He decides to practice every day.
Alex practices every day in the backyard, but Maddy doesn’t. I don’t need to practice, she thinks, because I’m very talented!
“Wait until the next game,” she tells Alex. “I’m going to hit a lot of home runs.” She sits and watches TV.
At th next game, a player is sick, so the coach asks Alex to play. Maddy plays, too. but she doesn’t hit any home runs.
The game is almost over. she thinks to herself. Are we going to lose?
When it’s Alex’s turn to bat, there are three players on base. To everyone’s surprise. Alex hits the ball hard. It flies high into the air and over the wall. It’s a home run!
The players run around the baces. and the team wins the game! The coach’s mouth is open wide. The other players are jumping up and down and cheering.
“Practicing works.” Alex syas quietly, and he smiles.
Alex keeps practicing. The coach lets him play more often. He hits a lot more home runs! Maddy hits home runs,too. but she doesn’t feel like she’s the star of the team anymore.
I’m going to try harder. she thinks at the end of a game.
But when she gets home, she doesn’t practice.
Maybe tomorrow, she thinks. Anyway, I’m very talented. I’m going to win that trophy.
After the last game of the season. the coach talks to the players.
“Great season, everyone.” he says. “Now, It’s time to award our home run trophy.” He smiles and hands it to Alex. “Congratulations, Alex, you had the most home runs this season!”
Everyone claps—except Maddy. She’s so disappointed. She’s quiet for a long time.
On the way home, she tells Alex. “I really wanted that trophy. But you worked very hard for it. I’m proud of you.”
Alex is very surprised. “Thnks.Maddy.” he says. “Maybe we can practice together next season.”
“That’s great idea!” Maddy says.
