8 Watch the Ball

Watch the Ball written by Pam Holden illustrated by Pauline Whimp

《观看舞会》由帕姆·霍尔顿撰写，波琳·威普配图

After the winter, the children wanted to start playing summer sports. At practice, Coach Jones showed them the right way to hold the bat, and how they should stand. He told them the most important thing to remember — always watch the ball. The children met for throwing and catching practice before school. They played again every lunchtime, and after school they went to the park for batting practice.

冬天过后，孩子们想开始进行夏季运动。 在训练中，琼斯教练向他们展示了正确的拿球棒的方法，以及他们应该如何站立。 他告诉他们最重要的事情要记住——永远盯着球。 孩子们在上学前聚在一起练习投球和接球。 每天午餐时间他们又玩一次，放学后他们去公园练习击球。

Coach Jones thought of an exciting idea for a team competition. He decided that he would give a special prize to the player who could hit the ball further than anyone else. On Monday, he showed the children a brand new bat. "This bat will be the prize for the longest hit," he told them. "We'll have a competition at the park on Friday after school. I'll be the judge to decide who should get the prize."

琼斯教练想到了一个令人兴奋的团队比赛的主意。 他决定给击球比任何人都远的球员一个特别奖。 星期一，他给孩子们看了一只全新的蝙蝠。 他告诉他们:“这只蝙蝠将是击球时间最长的奖品。” “星期五放学后，我们将在公园举行一场比赛。 我将作为裁判来决定谁该得奖。”

All the children were excited about the competition. Every day, they met for practice before school, at lunchtime, and after school. Some people also did extra practice at home, because everyone was hoping to win that exciting prize. When Friday came, all the players were ready for the competition. Coach Jones met them at the park after school. "Here's the judge," said the children. "Let's find out who's the champion hitter."

所有的孩子都对比赛感到兴奋。 每天，他们在上学前、午餐时间和放学后见面练习。 有些人还在家里做额外的练习，因为每个人都希望赢得那个令人兴奋的奖品。 当星期五到来的时候，所有的运动员都为比赛做好了准备。 琼斯教练放学后在公园迎接他们。 “法官来了，”孩子们说。 “让我们看看谁是冠军击球手。”

Dan got ready first, and he swung the bat as hard as he could. The ball kept rolling and rolling until it stopped by the fence. Peter had the second turn. His ball flew all the way down the hill. The third batter was Mary, who sent the ball bouncing right past the gate.

丹先准备好了，他用尽全力挥动着球棒。 球不停地滚啊滚，直到在篱笆边停了下来。 第二次轮到彼得。 他的球一路飞下山去了。 第三个击球手是玛丽，她把球打得弹跳着越过了大门。

John hit next, and he sent his ball flying away to the right. Amy's ball landed far off to the left beside a tall tree. Then Tom hit a good shot that was quite straight and long. "How will I judge the winner with such good hits?" asked Coach Jones. "I'm not sure which one is the longest. It will be quite hard to decide which player is the champion hitter."

约翰接着击球，他把球打向了右边。 艾米的球远远地落在左边一棵大树旁边。 然后汤姆打了一记很好的球，打得又直又长。 琼斯教练问:“这么好的击球，我怎么判断谁是赢家呢?” “我不确定哪一条最长。 很难决定哪位选手是冠军选手。”