Read Online A Long Pitch Home by Natalie Dias Lorenzi - Free Book Online Page B

English words, and hanging out at the pool with the guys. I don’t run into Jordan at the pool again, and I wonder if maybe she has made some non-baseball friends. I hope so.
    The best thing about baseball camp is that tomorrow is the last day.
    When Jalaal told me baseball is kind of like cricket, he was wrong. Sure, baseball has a bat and a ball, but even those are different in cricket. After six long weeks of camp, I still can’t hit a ball with a round bat. I mean, I can hit it; I just can’t hit the ball where it is supposed to go. Jalaal said I should give it time, but six weeks is time enough.
    If Mudassar ever comes to America to visit, this is the baseball advice I will give him:
    1. Baseball players only bat one at a time. If you ask where the second batter is, people will look at you funny.
2. If you get a hit, do not carry your bat when you run around the bases.
3. If you hit the ball and it pops up and over the line behind home plate, you do not earn four runs for your team. In fact, this is called a foulball , and it is not a good thing. If this happens to you, do not jump and cheer and pump your fist in the air. Just get ready to bat again.
4. Home runs are worth four points at the most, and only if the bases are loaded. If someone hits a home run with the bases loaded, do not high-five everyone as they cross home plate, and yell, “Six points for us!”
    The only thing I am okay at is pitching.
    But Jordan is better. She is also better at hitting the ball than I am. Then again, so is everyone else.
    â€œHey, Bilal!” I turn to see Akash running across the field. He catches up to me, breathing hard, and jabs his thumb over his shoulder toward the gym doors. “Why didn’t you sign up? Travel tryouts are tomorrow.”
    I shake my head. “I would not make the team anyway.”
    I have had enough humiliation for one summer, thank you very much. I don’t need to try out for a travel baseball team to remind everyone how much I stink at this sport. I just want to forget all about baseball.
    â€œAw, come on, man.” Akash spits onto the grass. “You’re just getting used to the rules. And batting. And, you know, catching with a glove.”
    There is nothing I can say to that.
    â€œWe need a good pitcher.” Akash raises his eyebrows, waiting for me to speak.
    â€œThank you, Akash. But Jordan will make your team. Everyone knows she is the best pitcher.” I look behind me to make sure Henry isn’t nearby, and lower my voice just in case. “She can also bat better than most everyone else.”
    Akash shakes his head. “Girls don’t play baseball. Softball, sure. Baseball? No way.” He shrugs. “Look, Bilal, last year we went all the way to the state finals down in Richmond. We lost to some team from Loudoun County.”
    I have no idea where these places are, but I do know having me on their team will not help them win. I would be fine with pitching, if only I didn’t have to bat. Coach Matt already explained that all players have to bat, even the pitcher. It’s the rule.
    Jalaal saves me from more conversation when he shouts my name from the parking lot, waving both hands over his head.
    Akash glances at Jalaal and then turns back to me. “Will you at least think about it?”
    â€œOkay,” I say, but the only thing I am thinking about is how I am not going to try out.
    Akash seems satisfied with my answer, and we agree to meet tomorrow morning at the field.
    I head over toward Jalaal, relief flowing through me with every step. After tomorrow, the last day of camp, I won’t have to pick up another baseball bat as long as I live.
    â€œHey, little buddy. Vámonos ?” Jalaal claps his hand on my shoulder.
    â€œ Vámonos .” I grin at this strange, new English word.
    Jalaal has a plan to speak to me in English so I can learn more before school starts. So far he speaks to me