1 The First Catch

The Alien next door. Baseball Blues

one. The first catch, HARRIS WALKER AND HIS BEST FRIEND Roxy Martinez burst out the front door of Harris's house. They clutched baseball gloves, a bat, and a ball in their hands.

The sun shone brightly. The last bits of snow had melted. The first flowers had started to sprout, and a warm breeze mixed with the last of the chilly air. "It's finally nice enough outside for the First Catch of the Year!" Harris said as he and Roxy ran to opposite sides of his front lawn. The First Catch of the Year had been a tradition for Harris and Roxy since they were both old enough to throw a baseball.

Roxy took a few practice swings with her bat. "I got this new bat for Christmas," she said. "I can't wait to use it!" "And I got this new catcher's mitt," Harris said, pounding his fist into the soft leather. "Time to break it in!" Roxy put down her bat and slipped on her glove. She picked up the baseball and threw it right into Harris's mitt. It landed with a crisp, cracking sound.

"I can't wait for tryouts!" Harris cried. "I hope I get to play catcher this year." Harris skipped a ground ball across the lawn. Roxy took two steps to her right, then reached over to field the ball backhanded. "And I hope I get to play shortstop," Roxy said. "Keep making plays like that and you'll be on the team for sure!" Harris said.

Harris and Roxy planned to try out for the Chargers, the local youth baseball team. The Chargers played against other teams from nearby towns. Roxy tossed the ball high into the air. "Pop-up!" she yelled. Harris looked up, raising his glove to shield his eyes from the sun. The ball started to come down.