Free Kid Coach by Fred Bowen Page B

outfielders.
    It didn’t matter. Eddie belted the second pitch far out into right field. Scott gave a small admiring whistle as the ball sailed high over the right-field fence for a two-run homer.
    “Shake it off, Drew!” Scott shouted from shortstop. “It’s just a scrimmage.”
    The game continued for a few more innings. The Tigers got a couple of runs but the Red Sox pushed ahead when Eddie Wilson smacked a two-run double down the right-field line.
    Scott tried to give everyone a chance to play. Before the final inning, he called down the bench, “Hey, Benny, you want to play right field?”
    “Sure,” Benny said.
    “Then put the book down and grab your glove,” Drew said. “What’s that book about anyway?”
    “Baseball.”
    “Well, it’s time to
play
baseball, not just read about it,” Drew said. “Let’s go.”
    The Red Sox added another run in the final inning. The Tigers could not come back as Benny, Eric, and Brendan all struck out to end the scrimmage.
    Despite the loss, the Tigers were upbeat as they gathered their baseball gear and headed home. Scott and Fran rode their bikes side by side along a dirt path that cut through an open field. “You did a pretty good job, Coach,” Fran said.
    “We did okay,” Scott said. “At least we got to play. Lost to the Red Sox 5–2. That’s not too bad. I don’t know if Mr. Skelly could have done better than that.”
    Fran dropped back into single file as the two friends turned onto a busy street.
    “Mr. Skelly never did show up!” she shouted up to Scott. “I wonder what happened to him?”

T HREE
    M r. Skelly’s whistle cut through the cool spring air. “Bring it in,” he called.
    The Tigers gathered in a small circle around their coach. Some kids sat back on the soft infield grass while others knelt on their knees.
    Mr. Skelly looked around the group and said, “Listen, kids, I’m sorry I missed the scrimmage. I called all your parents and I hope they explained that there was an emergency at work.” Mr. Skelly took a deep breath and continued, “You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been really busy at work. And … ah … I’ve been thinking that I … ah … really can’t coach you guys this year. I’mjust not sure I could make all the games and practices.”
    The Tigers traded silent glances and fidgeted on the grass.
    Mr. Skelly adjusted his baseball cap and went on. “I told your parents all this, but I asked them to let me be the one to tell you guys. I also asked your parents if any of them could coach the team, but … ah … none of them wanted to, I mean, none of them could do it. They’re really busy, too.”
    “My dad goes to Australia on business a lot,” Brendan said.
    “He mentioned that, Brendan,” Mr. Skelly said.
    “I wish he’d take Brendan with him,” Drew whispered to Scott.
    “Anyway, I’m going to go to a league meeting tomorrow evening to see if the board can find you a new coach,” Mr. Skelly said.
    “He’ll probably miss the meeting,” Scott mumbled under his breath to Drew.
    “Don’t worry,” Mr. Skelly said, still addressing the whole team. “You’re definitely going to get to play your first gameand that’s in three days. In fact, here’s your schedule for the season.” The Tigers all jumped up at once and tried to grab a sheet.
    “Hold on! Everybody will get one,” Mr. Skelly said.
    As soon as Scott got his, he sat back down on the grass and studied it.
    Apr 13
1:00 P.M.
Twins
Apr 17
6:30 P.M.
Braves
Apr 20
11:00 A.M.
Cubs
Apr 23
6:30 P.M.
Yankees
Apr 27
3:00 P.M.
Red Sox
May 1
6:30 P.M.
Twins
May 4
11:00 A.M.
Braves
May 7
6:30 P.M.
Cubs
May 10
6:30 P.M.
Yankees
May 14
6:30 P.M.
Red Sox
May 18
3:00 P.M.
Twins
May 23
6:30 P.M.
Braves
May 25
1:00 P.M.
Cubs
May 29
6:30 P.M.
Yankees
June 1
3:00 P.M.
Red Sox
    As Scott and his teammates looked over the schedules, Mr. Skelly continued talking.“I’ll keep trying to find you a coach,” he told them. “But right now, let’s get some