Chicago Club Owner, Artie Nielsen, the cookie king, met with other team owners in the Nielsen mansion as rumors persist that baseball may be shut down for the duration of the war. Nielsen's promotional wiz kid, Steve Jinks, has been given the job of figuring out how to keep baseball going. Good luck, Mr. Jinks, with that name, you'll need it.

One

Colorado Springs, Colorado April 1943

The sun sat high in the sky as Myka Bering surveyed the relief pitcher on the mound. The day was a warm one, and her face was damp with sweat, tendrils of her brunette curls matting her face streaked with dirt, but she'd been watching the pitcher closely during the last inning, and now as another member of her team struck out, she was confident of her assessment.

Myka jogged to catch up to the next batter.

"Hey, Claud," she said dropping her arm around the petite redhead's shoulder, "the pitcher's getting everyone out with the high ones, don't swing at it, okay?"

"I can hit it, Myka," the young girl protested.

Myka smiled and nodded. "Alright then, there's a big hole out in right field. Think you can drop it there?"

Claudia nodded but remained silent as she strode confidently to the plate.

"No high ones," Myka called out behind her hand.

Claudia turned back around to glare. "I like the high ones." Myka only smiled.

The first pitch was thrown too high, just as Myka knew it would be. Claudia swung at it anyway

"Strike!" came the call from the umpire.

The second pitch was thrown high again. She swung again and added another strike to her count. Claudia glanced over at Myka who stood on deck. "Too high," Myka mouthed.

Claudia glared down the pitcher, more determined than ever. The pitch was thrown; Claudia could see the ball coming down the line. She stepped forward and swung with all her might, but instead of hearing the crack of the bat, she heard the distinct thud of the ball as it rested snug in the catcher's mitt. Strike three, she was out.

Myka grabbed her bat and strode to the plate, passing Claudia a sympathetic look on the way. "You'll get the next one, Claud," she tried to assure.

Claudia silently nodded as she dragged her feet to the dugout, hearing the crowd begin to awake with claps and whistles as Myka approached the plate.

A man sitting among the crowd glanced up, taking notice of the tall woman striding towards home plate with a bat slung over her shoulder. Wearing a beige pantsuit and matching fedora, his teeth clamped on a cigar, he stood out among the farmers and other townsfolk dressed simply in jeans and cotton dresses. As he adjusted his hat, he had to concede the woman had caught an impressive game. Not a bad eye either as she pulled back on the first pitch just in time for the umpire to call a ball.

The second pitch was thrown straight down the middle. As Myka took her swing, the crack of the bat echoed and the crowd watched as the ball flew past the outfield to be lost in a wheat field.

The man in the fedora watched as Myka jogged around the bases, her teammates, waiting with cheers to meet her at home plate. The final score 3-2 for the Colorado Springs Dairy team. The crowd in the stands rose to their feet, clapping, and cheering for Myka.

It was obvious to the man Myka Bering was a favorite among the crowd and her teammates, judging by the way she was still immersed in a huddle of teammates congratulating her. She stood out among them, easily the tallest on the team, her smile wide and welcoming. Yes, he silently conceded, she would do all right.


"Thanks for saving the game out there today," Claudia spoke lowly.

Myka glanced at the young girl walking beside her. "Hey, you played a good game today, Claud, you always do. You caught that line drive in the third inning getting the final out, and you always know your cutoff. That's a skill."

"But I still struck out every time at plate. How can I be more like you?" Claudia complained as she kicked at the rocks in the dirt road they walked.

"Like me?" Myka laughed. "Why would you want to be like me? We already have one me. Be more like you."

"I just want to play well, the way you do."

"You do, Claud," Myka assured with a firm hand on the girl's shoulder. "As for batting, we'll work on it. If you like the high ones, we'll practice, I'll pitch them high for you until you can hit them."

"Really?" Claudia perked up.

Myka laughed. "Really. But not until after chores are done."

Claudia nodded and dropped into another silence.

"So," Myka started gently. "Have you heard anything from Joshua or Claire lately?"

Myka knew the topic of Claudia's family was a sensitive one for her. Orphaned when she was just ten when her parents died in a car crash, her brother Joshua had left school to come back to the family farm to take care of Claudia and her older sister Claire. The three of them struggled to keep the farm going, but it became too much for three young adults to manage. When the war broke out two years ago, Joshua signed up to join the Army and Claire joined the Red Cross.

The siblings had been in a conundrum what to do about Claudia though. She wasn't of age to live on her own or to join in the war effort.

Myka had been dealing with her own sense of loss at the time. Her younger sister Tracy left the family farm and their father's overbearing nature, to marry her high school sweetheart. Myka and Tracy had never been particularly close, but her absence was felt nevertheless when Myka alone was left to help care for the farm and deal with her father. And then there was Sam…Feeling tears burn her eyes, she shook her curly tresses, willing the memory of Sam away.

At any rate, when Myka found her neighbors, the Donovan sisters on her front porch one afternoon, she knew Claudia needed to be cared for. It had taken Myka and her mother a great deal of negotiating, but Warren Bering finally relented in allowing Claudia to live with them. He'd even managed a gruff nod of approval to her when shortly after her arrival she repaired the old tractor that sat useless in the barn for years.

Claudia had taken up residence in Tracy's old bedroom across the hall from Myka for the last two years now, and Myka found it difficult to imagine a time when Claudia wasn't there. Despite their ten-year age difference, the two had formed a relationship akin to sisters, though both would have to admit, they were closer to each other than they were their own sisters.

"I haven't heard from Joshua in a long while," Claudia admitted sorrowfully, breaking into Myka's musings.

"It's likely difficult to get any mail out wherever he may be in the Pacific," Myka spoke gently.

"Yeah," Claudia sighed. "But I did get a letter from Claire. She didn't say much, she's never been one for long letters, just that the work is a challenge, but she's glad to help the war effort any way she can."

"That's admirable," Myka agreed.

"Hey," Claudia perked up. "Last one to the barn has to muck out the stalls?"

Myka grinned. Claudia might be little but she was a fast runner. Still, she was no match for Myka's long legs and purposeful stride.

Before Myka could agree however, Claudia was off like a shot, Myka running to catch up to her.


Benedict Valda, a man of short, stocky build and a no nonsense attitude, looked more out of place walking through the farm yard than he had at in the baseball stands earlier that afternoon. Still dressed impeccably in a beige pantsuit and matching fedora, he looked about him with an air of distaste as he stepped gingerly through the yard, taking great care not to dirty his suit or step in any manure with his finely polished brown dress shoes.

Pulling the barn door open wide, it was almost comical to see two heads pop up to look around the cows they were milking to study him. Claudia looked at the man surprised, but Myka's clear green eyes reflected only scrutiny. She recognized the man from the baseball game they played that afternoon. She'd seen him in the stands, hard not to, she felt, given the spiffy suit he wore, but if Claudia's look of surprise was anything to go on, she was the only one in present company who felt that way.

"Good afternoon, ladies," he tipped his hat. "I'm Benedict Valda and I happened to see your game earlier today. I'm a baseball recruiter, right now working for Mr. Arthur Nielsen of Nielsen Cookies. Ever heard of him?"

"Yeah, his oatmeal scotchies are the best I've ever had," Claudia enthused rising to her feet.

"Yes, well, aside from being the famed cookie king, Mr. Nielsen is also an avid baseball fan, owning his own baseball franchise in Chicago. With the war in full swing, he's grown concerned that the source of eligible men to play the game has been depleted. He has decided to start a women's professional baseball league to try to assuage the depletion and keep the game alive, which is why I'm here now."

"Women's baseball, are you serious?" Claudia spoke wide-eyed. "Myka did you hear that?" she asked over her shoulder.

Myka rose to her full 5' 9" height, easily topping Mr. Valda. "I did, but I still don't know why you're here Mr. Valda."

"As I already mentioned, I saw your game this afternoon. You have considerable talent, Miss Bering, and I'd like to offer you a chance to play professional ball. Try outs are being held at Nielsen Field in Chicago."

Myka only raised a skeptical brow.

"It's a real league, professional," he added.

"Professional baseball for women!" Claudia practically squealed.

"Yes. They'll pay you seventy-five dollars a week," he said, his gaze still focused on Myka.

Claudia's jaw dropped at the sum. "We only make thirty at the dairy."

"This is considerably more then, isn't it?" he countered, briefly acknowledging Claudia. "Are you interested, Miss Bering?"

Myka briefly considered what she could do with that kind of money. She could pay for the college education her father refused her. Myka eyed the stocky man critically and shook her head in disbelief. "Seventy-five dollars a week? You can't be serious," she laughed.

"Well I'll go," Claudia spoke up enthusiastically. "Do I need to sign something?"

Valda looked at her rather as an annoying child. "The offer only extends to Miss Bering, I'm afraid," he said turning back to Myka who saw Claudia looked deflated at his quick dismissal of her.

"She's good," Myka encouraged. "She plays shortstop, you must have seen her catch that line drive today and get the out."

"No, you're what the league is looking for. You see, Miss Bering, not only are you a talented player, but you also have the…appearance the league wants for its women ballplayers," he said eying her figure appreciatively.

"Ah, I understand now," Myka nodded, knowing there had to be a catch somewhere in this too good to be true offer.

Valda shook his head. "I'm talking only looking, no touching. Your virtue will remain in tact. I'm to understand each team will have its own chaperone to assure that. Now, what do you say?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm needed here."

"Your country needs you as well, Miss Bering."

"To play baseball?" Myka shook her head disbelieving.

"To keep up morale."

"I'm sure there are other women who would be better to keep up morale than I," she argued.

"Very well, if that's how you feel about it, there's nothing left for me to do but wish you good day," he said tipping his hat before turning to retreat from the barn.

"Myka," Claudia looked at her baffled. "You can't just let him go." Myka only shrugged her shoulders disinterested.

Claudia turned away to run out of the barn. "Wait! Mr. Valda, wait!" she shouted catching up to the man in the middle of the yard amidst wandering chickens.
"You can't leave. I can play, I can go with you to Chicago to play professional baseball."

Valda gave her an appraising look. She hadn't been half bad during the game actually and he couldn't deny she had spunk to her. He glanced back to the barn where Myka silently observed them.

"All right, I'll make a deal with you. If you can get Miss Bering to go, you can come too."

Claudia's entire face lit up. "Seriously?"

"Yes," he agreed. "The train leaves tomorrow at two."

"We'll be there," Claudia promised as she watched him walk away. She turned to look back at the barn seeing Myka standing near the open door, able to overhear their exchange. The grin on Claudia's face was unrestrained.

Myka frowned, knowing what Claudia would ask of her.


"Please, Myka," Claudia practically begged as they finished preparing supper that evening and began setting the table.

"Claudia, I have to help take care of the farm. They depend on me," she said motioning to her parents who sat in the living room listening to the radio.

Claudia looked too. "But what about you, Myka, what about what you need? I've known you for several years now, and in all that time, you've always put everyone else before you. Now's your chance to do something for yourself for once."

"You mean so you can go to the baseball tryouts too?" Myka smirked knowingly.

Claudia shrugged sheepishly. "Okay," she admitted, "part of my motive is selfish. I've got to get out of here, see something more than Colorado Springs. Be a part of something bigger, help the war effort like Joshua and Claire, however minor this may be. Please, Myka," she entreated once more.

Myka looked at the young girl, really looked. Claudia was only seventeen, still underage to join the Red Cross like Claire or the WACS or WAVES and wouldn't it be better for her to play baseball where Myka could keep an eye on her? Added to that, Myka knew what she wanted too. She wanted to get away from the farm, from her overbearing father, and for once in her life, do something she loved.

"You can use the money to go to college like you've always wanted," Claudia cleverly added.

Myka sighed heavily, torn between obligation and desire. She did so want to attend college and while it was true she did a fair amount of the work on the farm between household chores and caring for the animals, her father still worked the farm too and he had recently hired a hand to help with the more demanding work. Perhaps now was the time she could afford to leave.

Claudia still looked at her with anticipation. "All right," Myka agreed simply.

Claudia let out a shout that startled the chickens outside, engulfing Myka in a hug that knocked the taller woman backwards into the counter, laughing as silverware clattered to the floor.

"Stop all that ruckus in there!" Warren Bering shouted after them.

"Sorry!" Claudia called out. Softer to Myka she spoke, "You won't regret this."

Myka smiled. "I think you're right, Claud. This feels right," she agreed with a soft smile.


As Myka began packing that night, she was no longer so sure she was making the right decision. Her parents didn't take well to the idea, as she knew they wouldn't. Her father felt she would be better suited to work the farm, as she had done all her life. And her mother was concerned about two single women traveling alone. Myka had assured her Mr. Valda would escort them on this trip and if they made it onto a team, he'd explained that a chaperone would oversee each team. Jeannie Bering was only slightly comforted by the explanation, but didn't say another word against leaving for the tryouts.

The opened suitcase on her bed remained empty. Myka looked about her bedroom, wondering what besides her baseball uniform and mitt and a few dresses she should take with her. If she made a team, she knew it was likely she wouldn't be back home again for some time, if ever. How did one pack up a life in only a suitcase? More to the point, how did she choose just a few among many beloved books that adorned her bookcase to take with her? She fingered the spines of her books fondly. They had been better companions to her over the years than many of the people she'd known. With care, she selected several favorites, including the works of Shakespeare, HG Wells and Anthony Bishop, and carefully placed them in the suitcase among her dresses.

She glanced about her room once more, searching for anything else she might desire away from home. On her nightstand was a photograph of her family standing on the porch of the farmhouse, taken several years ago before Tracy left to get married. It was a rare photo in which they all seemed genuinely happy. Myka slipped the framed photograph gently between dresses, hoping to protect the glass from breaking during the trip.

There was another small photograph on her nightstand of Sam. He too looked genuinely happy and Myka knew he had been when the photograph was taken since she was the one who took it. She looked at his picture and smiled fondly. The sharp pain she used to feel when looking at his picture had faded some over the last few years to be replaced by a dull ache and a sweet remembrance. Sam had been kind and smart, and she had loved him.

Myka grasped the photograph in her hand, lightly tracing the features of his face with her finger. She turned to add his picture to her suitcase but then thought better of it. Sam was her past; this journey was about her future. It was time to let the go of the past to embrace her future. Resolutely Myka opened the drawer of her nightstand to place the photograph gently inside and firmly closed the drawer. She let out a sigh as she sat down upon her bed and glanced about her room once more.

Her old stuffed bear looked back at her from his seat at her desk where Myka had moved him as she began packing. She smiled to herself. The bear was as old as she was, given to her shortly after her birth. His once white fur was slightly discolored now, worn with age and use, Myka having lugged him around with her often as a child. He had certainly seen better days, she mused. Myka continued to look at the worn bear thoughtfully. Maybe he'd like to see Chicago.

Before she could think better of it, she grabbed the stuffed bear and placed him in her suitcase before closing and latching the lid. The items in the suitcase represented her life thus far, comprised of a few clothes, her baseball mitt, several books, a family photograph and a worn stuffed bear. She shook her head at the thought. It didn't seem enough somehow to represent her twenty-seven years of life.

Setting the suitcase on the floor, Myka turned down the bedcovers and slipped between the cool sheets. She turned off the light and lay listening to the crickets chirp outside her opened window, long after the rest of the house fell silent.


The train leaving at two the next afternoon didn't leave them much time to prepare. As Myka stood in the shade of the porch to say goodbye, it was obvious her father still wasn't pleased with the idea of her leaving to play baseball, but he did manage a gruff farewell, which was more than she expected. Her mother's reaction was surprisingly supportive, if tearful.

"You deserve to be happy, Myka," was all she said before offering her daughter a hug goodbye. "And you too, Claudia," she smiled as she embraced the younger girl.

"Thanks, Mrs. B," Claudia hugged back.

Myka and Claudia walked the two miles to the train station, because even though her father had let her go with some amount of goodwill, taking time away from work on the farm to drive them to the station would have been too much to ask.

Myka thought she'd allowed enough time for the walk, but it was a warm day again and she and Claudia carried three cases of heavy luggage between them. By the time they arrived at the station, it was just in time to see their train begin to pull out.

"Hurry," Myka called as she began to run, Claudia at her heels.

Benedict Valda sat comfortably in the train's observatory car, reading a newspaper. He really thought that redhead would have convinced Miss Bering to come, but here he was, leaving the station without them.

The train had just lurched forward, beginning its motion when he heard yelling coming from outside. Turning to look out the window, the tug at his lips was involuntary as a satisfied grin formed on his face. There was Miss Bering and that redheaded girl, running to catch the train.

"Mr. Valda! Wait! I got Myka, see!" he could hear the girl yell.

"Well, I'll say one thing for them, they can run," he muttered under his breath as he stood from his chair to meet them at the car door.

Myka cursed her dress and shoes as she struggled to catch up to the door of the train. Claudia too struggled to keep up with her.

A porter was at the door, attempting to help the women onto the train platform as Myka threw each piece of luggage on board before reaching behind her to pull Claudia forward, literally pushing her up onto the train before she herself climbed up.

Valda approached the women as they gasped for breath, both doubled over, trying to calm their racing hearts.

"Welcome aboard," Valda greeted them with a sly smile.

"When do we get to Chicago?" Claudia managed to breathe.

"In a few days. We need to make a stop first to Univille, South Dakota, to look at another girl."