10 Home Run

10 HOME RUN Leaves rustled in the woods. Shadows danced on the floor of the tree house. No time at all had passed in Frog Creek. "We're back," said Jack with a smile. He and Annie were wearing their own clothes again. "I wish Otis and Olive lived in Frog Creek," said Annie. "Me too," said Jack.

"They really knew how to get around," said Annie. "They knew all the shortcuts!" "Yeah, Grandpa says in his time, kids did a lot by themselves," said Jack. "It's different now." "Unless you have a magic tree house," said Annie. Jack laughed. "Can you believe we just saw Jackie Robinson play at Ebbets Field?" he said. "Let's look him up," said Annie. Jack reached into his backpack and pulled out HISTORY OF BASEBALL. "Funny. Our whole trip, we never thought to read about baseball," said Annie. "That's because we were too busy living it," said Jack.

He found the page about Jackie Robinson. He read aloud: Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play major-league baseball in America. He played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, on April 15, 1947.

"A big day for baseball," said Annie. "Yep, a really big day," said Jack. He kept reading: In 1947, Robinson was voted Rookie of the Year. And in 1955, he was a World Series champion. "What's Rookie of the Year?" Annie asked. "The best new player," said Jack. He read on: Jackie Robinson was not just a great baseball player. He also showed heroic strength in the face of racism. "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me," he once said. "All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." His talent and courage helped inspire the civil rights movement. "That's so cool," whispered Jack. He closed the book. He took a deep breath. "Well, we'd better get going. We have a lot to do."

"We do?" said Annie. "Yep." Jack pulled on his backpack. Then he followed Annie down the rope ladder. A gentle breeze blew as they started walking through the woods. Sunlight streamed between the trees. "You said we have a lot to do," said Annie. "Like what?" "Like go to the ballpark and try out for the baseball team," said Jack. "Seriously? You changed your mind?" said Annie. "Sure," said Jack. "Why not?" "I thought you were afraid kids might laugh at you," said Annie. "I can live with that," said Jack. "You?" "Sure," said Annie. "We just need to try our best," said Jack. "And keep our self-respect," said Annie. "Yeah, if we don't make the team, we can sign up to be a batboy or a batgirl," said

Jack. "Or a manager," said Annie. "Or use Mom's phone to take photos of the games," said Jack. "Hey, what about making videos?" said Annie. "That'd be fun," said Jack. "So fun," said Annie. "You know…Morgan didn't send us to Brooklyn to become great baseball players," said Jack. "I know," said Annie. "She sent us there to learn how to be brave and keep going." "Yep, the rules of the game," said Jack. They stepped out of the woods onto their sunlit street. "Better hurry," said Jack. "Home run!" said Annie. She and Jack took off through the bright sunlight, running for home.