Page 33 of Double Play

I nod. “Yep, they’re on the team.”

“Why isn’t there a softball team too?”

“There are only a total of eleven kids on the team. There aren’t enough. Besides, all the local homes only have baseball teams, not softball.”

“Then why don’t they participate in local Little Leagues? That way the boys can join baseball teams and the girls can join softball teams.”

“Linda is only one person. She can’t have them all on different teams. It’s a transportation and adult supervision issue.”

She mumbles, “That’s bullshit. We should…”

Before she can finish the sentence, a bunch of kids come running into the room in uniforms, screaming my name. I crouch down and they all pile on and hug me.

They range in age from seven to nine years old. Their uniforms are an exact replica of the Cougars’ uniforms, except instead of Cougars, theirs read Cubs.

Arizona raises her eyebrows. “Baby Cougars?”

I wink and nod. “You bet.” I turn to the kids. “You guys look great. Best uniforms in the league. Right, Perry?”

I hold up my hand for him and he gives me a high five. Perry is the smallest kid on the team and probably struggles more than most. I don’t know his background, it’s confidential, but I think he has some sortof nerve damage in his throwing arm. It’s weak and lacks mobility. And he’s extremely shy. I relate to him, having been shy myself until I started playing ball.

I introduce Arizona to all the players on the team. One of the girls recognizes her. “You’re the famous softball player, right?”

Arizona nods. “I sure am.” She crouches down and holds out her hand. “I’m Arizona. What’s your name?”

The little girl appears a bit starstruck. “I’m…I’m Lucinda. I’m a catcher too. I want to learn to throw from my knees just like you.”

“Awesome. It’s all in the follow-through. Maybe I can show you a few tricks before the game starts.”

Lucinda’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“You bet.”

Lucinda pumps her fist. “Yes!” She looks Arizona up and down. “You’re even prettier in person.”

“Thank you. You’re all so cute.” She looks around at all the kids. “Who’s our competition today?”

Randy, the most precocious kid in the group, answers, “The Lil Marlins. They beat us last time. By a lot.” He pounds the center of his baseball mitt. “They’re going to take the big L today, right, Coach Layton?”

I chuckle. “They sure are. But let’s make sure we learn something and have fun. Win or lose, ice cream is on me after the game.”

Linda moans. “Ugh. Layton, we’ve discussed this. You can’t pump them full of sugar in the middle of the day and then be on your merry way.”

I smile. “I sure can. Ice cream is the best part, right kids?”

They all enthusiastically agree. Linda shakes her head in exasperation.

We pile the kids into the new van I recently purchased for the home. As we’re driving, Arizona takes in the new van smell. “Did you buy this for them?”

I shrug. “The old one was in bad shape. They needed it.” I lean over and whisper, “Just so you know, we haven’t won any games this season. The league is for ten years old and younger. We’re way young and very small.”

“Again, they could play in other leagues, maybe with kids their own age. Isn’t there something we can do about that?”

“It’s about the resources, transportation, and the adult-to-child ratio. It’s just easier if they’re all on the same team and in the same league. Linda is spread thin as it is. When I take them, I think it’s one of her few breaks. Even then, she comes and watches the games more times than not.”

She sighs in frustration. I get it. I often feel the same about the things they can and can’t do.

“Does Linda getanytime off?”

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