It has been another 2 weeks on the Island of Sodor. Spring is here which means everyone is looking forward to warmer days, and more time outside. For those who work for the railway, there will be some changes to take place and some of the American students including those who live on the homestead are discussing the topic of Baseball. A game not known in great Britain but is known in the states.

I do now own Thomas the Tank engine & Friends they are owned by the following.

Thomas the tank Engine and Friends.

By the Rev W Awdry.

Produced by Britt Allcroft

Owned by Mattel.

Other Characters owned by Pinkninjaprime and blackboard26

Spring into High Gear.

It has been two weeks since a mysterious book end up in their universe that mentioned the Royal sisters of Canterlot. The homesteader wanted to know why it was present on the Island of Sodor, they find it best to keep it somewhere until who ever lost the book can come over and find it to give back who ever owned the book. This is also Spring break week which means those who work for the railways are able to work in the yards while the controller has an announcement to make before everyone began work.

STH. "Thomas and Rosie, it has across my attention that you two have managed your engine halves for almost a year now."

Thomas. "Uh. Forgive me sir, but it has been about since last August I believe."

STH. "Ah yes. And because of your devotion on your engine halves since becoming firemen and now earning your place as drivers of your own engine halves." Both Thomas and Rosie were shocked about how they earned their way back across the Island while still schooling at the same time.

Rosie. "Drivers sir? You are allowing for Thomas and me to return as drivers Sir." Everyone else just stopped and heard from the controller about Thomas and Rosie becoming promoted to become Engine drivers for their engine halves.

STH. "That I am Rosie, both you and Thomas had shown you understand being really responsible, reliable, and resourceful nature that make you both able to return as drivers to your engine sides with the allowance to travel along your old lines for the afternoon until tea time when your time down the line ends for the day." Both Thomas and Rosie are relieved to become able to return to their original jobs even if they still have their homestead to worry about at the end of the day. Thomas was the first to speak up about this announcement.

Thomas. "Oh, Thank you Sir. Thank you."

Rosie. "So, When and where are we to perform our first jobs as driver's sir?" Then the controller came over with the jobs for the day and when the deliveries are to arrive on time. Both Thomas and Rosie make sure that they will be on time back as drivers.

Thomas. "Don't worry sir we will not let you down. Just one thing now that we are drivers, who will be our firemen along our journeys?"

STH. "I am glad you had asked Thomas, I have assigned Ryan to come along with you on your travels, as I had allowed for Henry to work with Rosie on her engine side for a time." Then the two can see both Ryan and Henry in their new attire as firemen, to perform the duties that help make them better performers on the rails again.

Ryan. "Well Thomas I believe we are a crew together for a while until I can find my way back to my engine side again." Then Henry came up to Rosie's engine side and came over to allow for her to know that he is ready for the journey.

Henry. "Hello Rosie, I am ready as you are." Both Thomas and Rosie had smiled knowing that these two will do nicely as part of their teams down the line.

Thomas. "This will be interesting. Welcome aboard Ryan and Henry, why don't we help you explain your roles before we head out for the afternoon?"

Ryan. "As long you do not become Cheeky about how I managed the coal into your fire box Thomas." Thomas chuckled at that and promised not to become a bother but much help to Ryan on how to perform his job properly.

Rosie on the other hand is grateful to have Henry able to become her fireman until he himself is ready to manage his own when he one day returns to his engine side to learn how to become driver in it.

While the crews are on their journeys for the day, back on the homestead Toby, Mavis, Percy, Scott, and Duck are hard at work peeling the logs for the cattleman's cabin while Polly was away down the magic railroads to uncover the mysteries about the book everyone found while cutting the logs from the woods for the cattleman's cabin.

Scott. "So, Percy any reason that Polly went down to the buffers as you said?"

Percy. "Since Polly is still connected to the Magic railroad, she is returning to her engine side or to meet up with Burnett Stone about the recent events that played out when we first saw the book two weeks ago."

Scott. "Tell me again how you all managed to know about the Magic railway and how did any of you ever met up with Polly anyways?"

Toby. "I think it would be best until the rest of us have returned from the railways, so all that were involved at that time to reflects all that happened at that time."

Duck. "Why who was all involved during that time Toby?"

Toby. "Besides that, of Ryan, Rosie, and Edward, it is best they all returned to tell their sides of the events that took place here at that time."

Percy. "I just hope Garth does not show up in a foul mood and ruin his peace time when we talk about the subject. He was apart of it as well."

Duck. "Well in that case I will wait to hear what everyone wanted to say about that time."

While the friends in the feeding fields work on the Cattleman's cabin, on another part of the Homestead and after checking up on the animals, Jasper and Jessica along with Connor and Caitlin are finding an area away from most eyes if they wanted to try an American Pastime on Sudrian soil for a change. They were looking for a spot where they can lay down an area where they can learn to play baseball or softball. Ariel and Rebecca were with them to see if she could be of some help along with Nia. Then from the Elsbridge station were the international American Students Sam and Hank who showed up to bring their online information on how to layout the perimeter of the field. They all know that not many in Great Britain especially here on Sodor the games had not been in the country's favor. That however had not dampened the love for the game of baseball for the American engine students.

Jasper. "Here!" he says. "this looks like a good place to set up for a baseball diamond."

Jessica. "It is a way from most prying eyes who may protest on us wanting to play our favorite American Past time."

Conner. "But then who will want to play the game of baseball with us here? Then again where are we going to find the equipment to help play the game, and where are we going to put up a score board for the duration of the game. Most of all who will be umpire to help determined the outcome of the game?'

Caitlin. "not to mention where are we going to place the refreshment stand for those who may want to understand the game of baseball?"

Ariel. "Why not ask my brother when he get back? I know he may want for his international friends want to feel welcome on the Island of Sodor, even to try something new he has not yet to experience himself."

Hank. "I had managed to order online some baseball equipment that will be due in any day now, as soon Sam and I managed to make sure everything we need to play the game is present, then we can ask anyone around us if they ever wanted to experience playing the game of baseball."

Sam. "I had managed to find these items in the mail this morning, I believe these are the items we need to play our game." Then everyone came over and see the number of baseball mitts ranging from the catcher's mitt to the outfield mitts for two sets of teams. Then everyone can see the bases ranging from home plate with the remaining bases, several wooden baseball bats, the number of baseballs, the catchers gear, even the RBS board to see the player either rounding the bases or for those who were called out while still on base. Everyone also managed to see a counter that can help determined how many in a count before the batter is either called out or managed a walk out to first base. Everything they needed to play a good game of baseball was all present even the batter's helmets.

Jasper. "Well it looks like we have everything we need except where we are going to find a foul line chalk dispenser on the homestead?"

Hank. "I took the time to take an old canister and remake it into a chalk line dispenser, that way we can now layout the playing field to allow for us to practice and play the game like back at home." Then as he brought over the item he was talking about, it was indeed an old canister and it looked like some metal box on a wheel barrel except it had two wheels in the front, while there was two more from the back that gave it leverage as one can push It along the stung out play field lines. It was at this time that those who worked on the railway were finished with their runs for the day and Thomas along with Rosie are very relieved they had managed to finish the day without confusion and delay. They all drove up and could not help noticing the activity that Jasper, Jessica, Conner and Caitlin are undergoing. Then Thomas and Rosie came up to their friends and asked them a question that needed to be asked.

Thomas. "Hello everyone, what is all of this about?" then everyone turned to Thomas's direction as Jasper and Conner continue with the outlines for the baseball diamond, Ariel came over to let her brother what the commotion is all about.

Ariel. "Well Thomas, as you know some of our friends did come over from America, and one of their favorite past times was a game that was inspired by our nation's past times such as rounders and Cricket. But since it was hard to determined how to play both games while two sets of players wanted to use such playing fields to play the games that were represented through the game known as baseball. I did say to them that you always allow our national friends to feel welcome to the Island of Sodor, even if it means to try out some of their customs." Then Rosie came over to see what they have before them and was surprised with delight they wanted to learn how to play the game of baseball.

Rosie. Spoke with excitement. "Baseball Equipment?!" Then she looked up at her friends. "You guys managed to get Baseball equipment, I mean wow this is great you guys."

Conner. "We were as excited with this as you are Rosie, the question is who will want to learn the game of baseball with us? I know a lot of People here may not like the idea of playing our national pastime here, but at times we feel the itch to play the game like we always wanted to do, even before our arrival on the mainland."

Thomas. "you know I am always looking forward in learning something new, who knows maybe I can learn to like the game, so how do we play the game?" Then everyone decided to call it a day and the rest of the homesteaders have also returned homes along with Donald and Douglas returning from the movie complex at the shopping center. Everyone gathered around the lounge area of the dinning hall while Rosie and the girls help prepare the meal for the night, and who should return from her travels from the magic railroad Polly Stone. When she emerged back from the buffers and returned home to the homestead, she and Percy gave each other a welcome home hug before they kissed each other for the safe return of Polly back to the homestead.

Percy. "Welcome home beautiful, I am glad you had returned for the night." Then he and Polly kissed again before readdressing her reasons for traveling down the magic railroad before.

Polly. "I am always happy to be here with you Percy, and I had found out the problems about the book came from the other side."

Toby. "You mean to tell me that book came from a world where magical ponies actually call that place home?"

Polly. "I am afraid so Toby, it turns out that there was a struggle on the other side that allowed for the book to be present here."

Emily. "Well for what it is worth Polly, I just hope none of their freaks do not come here to create havoc here on the Island of sodor, especially here on the homestead."

Thomas. "Until we hear more about these magical Equestrian ponies ever to make them present, we have some good news from the station. Both Rosie and I have returned as Drivers in our Engine Sides and are now capable of driving up and down the lines as if we did not leave at all." Everyone congratulated the two new drivers for the railways while it will be a while before everyone else will get the chance to become drivers themselves one day. Until that day comes everyone will have to make a commitment on working with the railway until everyone managed to get back to pulling trains but as the drivers of their own engine selves again.

Toby. "Congratulations Thomas and Rosie, you have really come from a long way since last year.

Rosie. "I just became excited about Hank and Sam bringing in some baseball equipment to allow for those who are interested in learning about the game of baseball."

James. "Baseball? You mean to tell me that they wanted to play baseball here on the Island of Sodor?"

Scott. "Hm mm I do not mind if I ether play or watch a baseball game, I hear it is a fun game to play."

Jasper, "It is Scott, it takes up to two teams that make up to nine to ten players who play defense while the offence is on the batter's box."

Emily. "I think someone better explain the way the game of baseball is played."

Caitlin. "I thought that someone want to see how a regular game is played vs a professional game is played, so I had managed to take out some of the documentary and instructions on how the game is played, and what are the conditions that makes a player to stay in the playing field, or when the player has to leave the field to make the game play itself out."

Then she readied the DVD player on the television set and allowed for the information and even had two baseball game tapes to allow for everyone to see how the game is played out. Everyone was enjoying the look of the game and while others were confused about the outcome of the game, they were explained by their American friends that it is no different than rounders but under a different set of rules. Thomas, Edward, Gordon, Percy, Henry, and James were intrigued about how each player does their jobs on the fields. Rosie helps remind Thomas how the game is played and helped explained each part of the game like when it is crucial to relieve the pitcher especially when the pitcher reached his limits before a relief pitcher takes the place of the opening player. That way there will be fresh energy from a pitcher who wants to through a perfect game. However, not always.

Jasper helps James and Molly how to keep an eye on the strike zone and helped explained where it is, as the game helped showed how the umpire from behind the catcher determined the count before the last call out, or when the batter manages to earn a run or a walk when he make a full four balls at bat. James watched with interest and could not help but be inspired to learn how to take part in the game.

Jasper. "If you like James, I can help you learn how to play the game of baseball with the rest of us."

James. Turns to his sister's lover and responds. "I liked that very much Jasper, as long we can find the time for it." Jasper agrees.

Soon the last of the plays were made and those who are interested the most are willing to give baseball a try, but in the following week to see if any are capable to play baseball with them. Now it was time for dinner, as they all sat around the dinner table and gather to say grace before their meal for the night everyone could not help but be memorized about the game of baseball.

Thomas. "Does anyone have any ideas what position they wanted to take up for baseball?"

Jasper. "I think it is also best to see who else from school wants to give baseball a try. It may be a long shot, but I am hoping that it can create good relations with some of our fellow students who may be as intrigued with the sport as we are."

Rosie. "WE can also ask Headmaster Lucile Hat to see if she can approve the Idea for two types of sports. One for the boys and one for the girls. That is baseball for the boys while the girls who have game may want to play a similar game like softball. It is the same as baseball, but only seven to nine innings throughout the game."

Emily. "That is a good Idea Rosie, all we have to do is ask around and show some of the footage we have seen today here on the homestead to show what the game of baseball and possibly softball is all about."

Jessica. "That is a good idea but be careful not to anger the locals about what we wanted to do."

Oliver. "Why? What can anger our fellow Sudrians about a game from the States we may want to participate in?"

Caitlin. "Have you paid any attention to the documentary Baseball by Ken Burns. In the Documentary, some British critics had made it believe that the game of baseball is beneath their sports of Cricket and round ball. Baseball is actual a compromise of both sports but under different set of rules."

Gordon. "Why would anyone believe in something like that, it is not like we had played the game of Cricket before, not have we ever known anything like baseball before today. I find it really intriguing in playing any sports as long we have a great time learning to play the game with honors."

James. "From what I can see, the game of baseball looks to be very exciting indeed. It is almost like rounders, except you are out there until the final out is called and one of the two teams had scored more runs than the other."

Donald. "I just hope no one finds it offensive when it really should not have been."

Douglas. "you never know Donnie. There could be a worry some bloke who would challenge that idea of the game of baseball, round ball and who know of what."

Thomas. "Well I am definitely willing to give baseball a try, we can build a baseball diamond for those who may come from the states who may want to see a baseball game here on the Island of sodor."

Percy. "I may like the game, I just do now know about playing the game. I will sit it out for this time, and when I am ready, I will give it a go."

Jasper. "That is alright if everyone is not onboard with this Idea, no pun intended."

Toby. "Not to worry, I like the idea of seeing people even beyond Sodor to enjoy their visits here, even if they may come from the states and may want to see a baseball game from time to time."

Emily. "We should list together the teams we want to form for the baseball or softball teams, what should the teams be?"

Connor. "I thought about that, for the boy's teams we should call ourselves the team steam while the lady's teams could be the lady steamers."

Molly. "Hm mm. I like it, and it does sound like fun to try something new but may not like the view of the crowd look down on us. That means I can rally from the bleachers."

Mavis. "Fine by me, I however do like the idea of becoming part of the softball teams, so I am likely to join the team."

Rosie. "Count on me as well Mavis."

Emily. "I would definitely join the softball team as well you two, so look out for me when I do."

Rosie smiled at her friend. "Considered us warned then Emily."

Ariel. "I will also, like my brother I to find it a challenge, so look out for me when I do you guys."

Emily. "Will do Ariel."

Thomas. "Well we are going have to ask Headmaster Hat about allowing us to ask any one of the students if they want to participate in creating a series of teams to play the game of baseball."

Rosie. "And the Softball teams as well, we also need to see who will participate in playing the games.'

Edward. "All we have to do is ask and see if anyone is really interested, if it is a go, then we do so. If however if there are not a lot of students who want to participate in a series of baseball teams on the island of Sodor then we may as well return all that equipment that Hank and Sam had managed to gather to help play the games."

Henry. "Until, we know for sure what the outcome will be, we can only hope it will be a positive one and not a negative one."

Do you believe that the students in the high School are going to like the idea of playing an American past time on Sodor? Will Thomas and those who live on the homestead and in the international house have the chance to learn the American game of baseball and softball? We will not find out until the next part of the Journey Through Northwestern high School.