We walked back to our dugout and I noticed Ryan waving to Tommy. Everyone sat down to get ready for the game. I stood by my dad.

"I still can't believe he'd play for Needman!" exclaimed D.P.

"I knew he was a traitor all along." stated Wings.

"So duplicitous," said Q.

"Man, we are so dead. Not only did we lose Tommy, but we're minus a player." stated Two-ton. Benny squat down and started to say,

"Alright guys listen up-" he began.

"I've got somethin' to say," Ryan said. We all looked dumbfounded. My dad even took his glasses off and wiped them off with his shirt.

"What?"

"Did Ryan just speak?" Wok asked.

"I've been around you guys for a long time." Benny got up to let Ryan give a pep talk. "One thing I know is that Benny's right. You guys love baseball. You eat, drink and sleep baseball, but nothing compares to playing it. If we give up now, well, you can say goodbye to the sandlot forever."

"But you don't-" Two-ton began to say.

"Zip it, Tubby!" Ryan shot back. "It's my turn to talk." Some of the guys chuckled at Ryan. "Tommy taught us a lot about baseball skills. Instead of being mad at him, let's show him exactly what he failed to learn from us-how to play the game we love. I don't know about you guys but I don't want to lose this field to a bunch of butt-faces." Ryan said.

"The mouth on that kid." Two-ton said quietly.

We heard Needman say loudly, "So what are we gonna do today, boys?"

"WIN!" they all shouted.

"That's right." We all gave each other looks and finally nodded. Benny then stepped up.

"All right, guys. What he said. Everybody in." Benny said. We all put our hands in the middle of our circle.

"One, two, three! Sandlot!" we all shouted.

"Alright guys, we're up to bat first. Wings, get a helmet and a bat, you're first." Benny instructed. Everyone noticed Tommy talking to Needman after he said he needed to talk to him. There was some small talk and Needman finally yelled Now! Tommy seemed upset and started walking to us. Is he coming back?

"What is he doing?" asked D.P.

"Where are you going?" asked Needman. Tommy took off his baseball cap and threw it behind him where Needman was. "I told you your position. Wait! What are you doing, boy? Son, you do not want to do this." Tommy stood before us.

"What do you want?" asked Two-ton.

"I want to win." replied Tommy.

"Yeah, so do we." said Wings from behind.

"Get lost, Tommy." said Wok.

"Yeah, vamoose. We don't need you." said Roll.

"Look, I made a mistake. I'm sorry." Tommy said. It was silent for a while.

"What are you saying?" asked Benny.

"I made a deal to play for Needman's team, because I thought it was my destiny." said Tommy.

"This isn't the part where you go off about the dodgers, the hall fame and you smoking-hot girlfriends, is it?" asked D.P. Girlfriends? My cheeks became red.

"No. This is the part where I throw that all away to do what's right. Play ball with my friends. That is, if you'll have me." he asked nicely. Silence. "Look, I would rather lose a game with my real team...than win one for all the wrong reasons."

"You made a bad mistake," said D.P. boldly. "We're not gonna lose." Tommy gave a smile. "Take off that ridiculous uniform and get ready to bat."

"Thanks, Tommy." said Ryan quietly. I ruffled the hat on his head.