Schroeder looked at the clock, grateful to see that it was almost time for baseball practice. Perhaps that would keep his mind off of Lucy for a while.

But when he reached the ball field and saw her standing in the dugout, he knew he was in big trouble. How was he supposed to forget about her when she was on the opposite team?

He took his catcher's mitt and his bat and hurried to the ball field, where, as he suspected, Charlie Brown was already on the pitcher's mound warming up.

"Hey Charlie Brown! Ready for the big game?"

"Yes, Schroeder and I have a feeling we're going to win! I just know it!"

"I don't know about that Charlie Brown. We've lost 27 in a row and Peppermint Patty's team is pretty hard to beat."

"Yeah, but Lucy's on their team now and she can't catch a fly ball to save her life!" Charlie Brown laughed. "She's practically worthless when it comes to playing baseball!"

Schroeder couldn't help but feel a bit angry toward Charlie Brown for saying such a terrible thing about Lucy.

He supposed she deserved it. After all, she'd tormented Charlie Brown daily for as long as he could remember. Charlie Brown was his friend and he couldn't imagine how many bruises he must have from falling on his back. Poor kid tried so hard to kick that football only to have Lucy pull it out from underneath him.

But still, there was something about her...

"Play Ball!"

The team got into position and he crouched down as Marcie stood at home plate, her bat poised and ready to swing. Schroeder held his glove, ready to catch what he prayed was a strike. But just as he figured, Marcie hit the ball hard, sending it flying over the fence.

Lucy cheered on the side, making sure that Charlie Brown felt guilty. If there was one thing Lucy was good at, it was making Charlie Brown miserable.

Marcie rounded the bases and slid into home plate, smiling brightly at Peppermint Patty. "Betcha can't beat that, Sir!"

"Sure I can Marcie, but please stop calling me Sir!"

"All right Chuck, put it right here! I'll show you how this works!" Peppermint Patty said, holding her bat high.

Charlie Brown moved his arm around and around, sending the ball flying through the air in a perfect spiral.

Schroeder crouched down once more, prepared for the ball which would surely fly into his glove. But amazingly, Patty hit it as hard as she could and as before, it went sailing into the air, landing over the fence.

The game grew worse and worse and even Snoopy's expert shortstop position didn't save them. They hadn't even been up to bat yet and they were already losing twelve to nothing.

This was going to be a very long afternoon.