Episode 17: Play Ball!

CHAPTER 1: THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This episode is a little shorter than some of the others. I do apologize about that, but I didn't have much idea I could do with it. The next one, "Getting Ready for Summer", will have more material to it, I promise. In the meantime, enjoy this episode.

Charlie Brown and Frieda were walking hand in hand towards the ball field. The first game of the season had arrived. Snoopy was also with them. Charlie Brown was looking forward to this season, as they now had Ox on their team and with him hitting sluggers, they were sure to at least have a decent showing for that season. The previous season, they still didn't win any games, but they started making some improvements. But with Ox in tow, Charlie Brown was determined to win at least a few games this year.

As they got to the field, most of the team was there already practicing before the game. Charlie Brown brought all of them in for a pep talk before the game.

"All right team," he began, "I know for years we've haven't been the best team around. And I know we came pretty close to actually winning some games last year. Let's try to keep that momentum going from last year. As you know we now have Ox on our side. And with him, we are sure to have at least a halfway decent season."

"That's all we can ask for," Lucy retorted.

"Are you nervous, Oxie?" asked Patty to her boyfriend.

"A little," said Ox. "I just hope I do a good job for Charlie Brown."

"You'll do fine, Oxford," said Violet. "Charlie Brown may not be much of a baseball manager, but his heart is always in the right place. And I'm sure as long as you do your best, he'll be happy with your performance."

"It looks like the other team has arrived, Charlie Brown," said Linus.

"Okay, everybody!" said Charlie Brown. "Take your positions!" And everyone went to their spots. As Charlie Brown took his position on the pitcher's mound, Schroeder walked up to the mound to go over the signals.

"One finger will mean pitch the fast ball," he began, "two fingers will mean pitch the slow ball, three fingers will mean pitch the curve ball, and four fingers will mean it will be seven months until Beethoven's birthday." And he walked back to his position at home plate.

"I have a weird team," said Charlie Brown. And he prepared to throw the first pitch. We hear his inner monologue.

"Well here we go, the first game of the season. I start with a clean slate. And with the tips I've been getting from Franco, hopefully I can do better this time around. I'm not expecting us to win every game. Heck, I'm not expecting us to go to the championship. I just want to win at least a few games this season. What else have we got to lose?" And Charlie Brown threw his first pitch, only for it to return as a line drive and knock his clothes off, as usual, leaving his shorts on.

"Well, for starters, the shirt off my back," he sighed. He got up and got dressed and one of the outfielders threw the ball back to him. "I've got to bear down. It's Sidney or the Bush!" And Charlie Brown threw another pitch and the batter hit it high. Linus got underneath it as it was heading his way. He grabbed his blanket and caught the ball by tossing the blanket in the air.

"Wow! What a catch!" chimed Charlie Brown, with a smile. He figured there may actually be hope, after all. After another pitch, Snoopy ran and caught the ball in his mouth, scoring another out.

"Good job, Snoopy!" Charlie Brown said to his dog, who spat out the ball to his owner in his glove. After the next pitch, it went into the outfield towards Lucy.

"Come on, Lucy," Charlie Brown said, nervously. "Please catch it!" Charlie Brown had a right to be nervous. Out of all of his players, Lucy took the game the least seriously, yet was the first to blame Charlie Brown for losing. However this time around, as if she finally started being serious about playing, she caught the ball!

"I don't believe it!" Charlie Brown said to himself. "She actually caught the ball! SHE ACTUALLY CAUGHT THE BALL!" And sure enough, Charlie Brown's team was now up to bat. And he was happy. Not only was there a chance that they would win, but it was the season opener. And a good start was the key to more motivation for the team.

NEXT CHAPTER: SOME SHOCKING NEWS