The new player

(Erins POV)

My first official day of summer vacation had begun. I got up, put on a light-blue tank top and some jeans, and went downstairs for breakfast.

"Good morning Erin." said my grandma

"Mornin." I replied

"What are your plans for today?"

"Im probably going to get settled in upstairs then maybe walk around town and get to know the place." But what I really wanted to do was find out where those boys played ball at and maybe even talk to one of them. 'It cant hurt to make a new couple of friends right?'

I finished my bowl of Lucky Charms and ran up stairs to my room. It was pretty big. I had a queen sized, a small white vanity, and a set of french style doors leading to a balcony, overlooking a wide lawn. Pulling my suitcase up onto the bed, I took out my clothes, quickly threw them in the closet, and tacked my Yankees poster to the wall.

Running downstairs, I called to my grandma, "See you later, Ill be back before lunch!" and before I heard a reply I was out the door.

"Okay, now what to do?", walking down the street, past all the big houses with their pools, and freshly manicured lawns, I spotted Main Street. I began to walk down it and then saw a baseball field. 'Could that be where they were playing?' My strides started to fasten up and indeed I did see the boys that were walking by my grandmas last night. They were grouped together right beside the dugout looking really pissed off. Especially the one I thought of as 'cute' . I heard him yell something at one of his players and then he stormed off, with the chubby boy at his side.

I really wanted to meet him, but thought that right now wasnt a very good time. So I decided to follow him.

(Colins POV)

I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, and I couldnt find my glove...'The day was already off to t bad start.' As soon as I found it I ran all the way over to Main Street to our schools baseball field.

Nobody was there yet. "Thank god Im not late." I said to myself. I then took a seat in the visitors dugout. 5 minutes passed and I finally saw Ollie come from the distance. 15 minutes passed and the rest of my team had showed up...except for Peter.

"Dude I told you he better not be late! And guess what? He is!"

"Colin, chill out we have another 10 minutes until the game starts anyway."

"Brandon you dont understand. If he doesnt show up, we dont play. And I think well look pretty bad to The Pirates if we loose to the Cubs... I mean come on!"

The Pirates were the Sandlots rivals. Theyve always hated each other. Their captain, Jacob Vandeborne and Colin had been competing with everything since they were in diapers. (Ollie liked to say)

"Just as I predicted,10 minutes have passed and Peter is not here."

"Are you sure you didnt tell him to go to the sandlot?"asked Matt

"No. Last night we had to practice here...I told him to be here. Not there."

The cubs captain, Daniel Goedirt came up to me and asked if we had to forfeit.

"Whatever." I muttered. I knew we could take them 8 on 9 but they play by league rules. We didnt. I grabbed my glove and started stomping away.

"Im going to kill him." I was going to the sandlot we could practice for this Fridays game. Ollie started to follow. I looked back at the team and then at him.

"You guys comin or not?" he called.

(Normal POV)

As the Guys arrived at the Sandlot they were to find out that none other than Peter Penski was sitting in the worn out dugout.

"Wrong field...oops."he muttered as the team of nasty looking boys stared at him.

"You know what Peter?" said Colin, "You have lost us 3 games now because you are either late, or you go to the wrong place, or smoother lame excuse...Well I- I mean the team are sick of it!"

"Colin Im sorry man...I"

"YOU WHAT? Yeah I know youre sorry but this Is one time too much! Youre off the team!"

"What? No way."

"Yes" Colin immediately felt bad. Peter started to walk away. He ran and caught up with him. "You can be our substitute. But dont come to practice until we fond another guy."

"Really! Okay...Thanks Colin." He waved and started to run home.

Colin knew how much baseball meant to him. 'It cant hurt to have an extra player right?'

Colin walked back to the guys and the argument began.

"Porter dude! We only have 8 players now! What were you thinking?"

"Now how do you expect us to play Vandebornes team on Friday now?"

"Guys!Guys! Peter is still on the team...Hes just subbing in incase someone cant make it. We just have to find a new center fielder now." Colin said as calmly as he could.

"A NEW CENTER FIELDER! COLIN WE HAVE 5 DAYS!" yelled Tommy.

"Well find one. Dont worry."

The rest of the day the guys at the Sandlot practiced like they never have before. Finally around 9 o'clock Colin called everyone in and told them to be here tomorrow, same time.

Meanwhile, while Colin was yelling at Peter, Erin ran back to her Grandmas house and got out her ball glove and ran back to the field and watched the boys practice. She was amazed at how good they were. The Tall boy with black hair, she now knew as Colin from overhearing his conversations with the other boys, was awesome, almost as good as her brother. She waited for the team to leave when there were only 3 left, Kyle, Ollie, and Colin. Then Erin walked out into the open and said,

"I hear your looking for a new outfielder."

"What and thats you?" said Ollie obnoxiously, "Hate to break it to ya honey but, um girls cant play ball."

"Excuse me but girls can so play baseball." she argued.

"Ya okay whatever. Lets see what you got. Colin go pitch her 3 balls ,if she can hit all 3 then well let her on the team, if not well then bu bye see you later."

"Okay fine, well see who can play ball." She grabbed the bat out of Kyles hand and Colin followed her to the infield.

Colin was attracted to the girl. He knew she was the one at the Millers house last night because of her blond hair. He really wanted her on the team so he could get to know her better but Ollie and Kyle probably wouldnt. They never saw a girl that can play baseball before. Plus they werent very nice to girls anyway.

"Wind up the first pitch Porter!" yelled Kyle from Left.

Colin did exactly that and Erin hit it! Right into Right center. He looked at her and she had a proud smile. Then he looked at Ollie who was astounded.

Pitch number two...she hit that one also, but this time to left center.

"Okay one more. Are you ready?" he asked her

"Ready." she smiled at him. Colin could feel himself blush. The ball left his hands and flew threw the air towards home plate. Erin took one last swing. Then dropped the bat.

"STRIKE! STRIKE!" I guess you werent as good as you thought you were huh?" Ollie and Kyle slapped each other a high five and started walking away.

Colin walked up to her and said, "Good job. Ive never seen a girl play as good as you before."

"Thanks it looked like your friends didnt either." brushing off her hands, Erin picked up the bat and handed it back to Colin.

"Oh Ollie and Kyle, theyre just afraid of a little competition thats all." Erin smiled again, so did Colin. " By the way, Im Colin Porter"

"Im Erin Miller." they both put out a hand and shook each others. "Nice to meet you Colin."

They walked back to Left field, where Erin left her stuff. It was dark now.

"Well Colin, I guess Ill be seeing you around." she waved and started walking towards her grandmas house.

"Around?" said Colin "Dont you mean at practice tomorrow?" he smiled as he saw Erins face light up.

"Ok. Tomorrow. Bye."