It is a sunny Saturday morning. Ava jumps out of bed with a big smile. Today is her T-ball game! She runs to her closet to get ready. Her orange and black Tigers team shirt is hanging up. Dad got it clean for the big game. "Time for breakfast!" Dad calls from the kitchen. Ava has two choices for her game day breakfast:
Ava runs to the kitchen where Dad has made her favorite - fluffy pancakes topped with red strawberries! The pancakes are shaped like baseballs, which makes Ava giggle. "Eat up, slugger!" Dad says with a smile. "We need lots of energy for the big game today!" Ava takes big bites of her pancakes. The sweet strawberries taste so good. She drinks her cold milk too. After breakfast, Ava puts on her orange Tigers shirt and black shorts. Dad helps her put her hair in a ponytail. Now it's time to get her gear ready.
Ava looks under her bed for her batting helmet. She gets down on her hands and knees and peeks into the dark space. "I see it!" she says happily. But wait - there's something else under there too! As Ava reaches for her black helmet, she spots her lucky baseball that rolled under the bed last week. It's the one she hit her first base hit with! Now she has both her helmet and her lucky ball. "Did you find it?" Dad calls from the hallway. "Yes! And I found my lucky ball too!" Ava shows Dad her special finds. "Great job, detective!" Dad checks his watch. "Now we need to pick - should we get to the field early to practice, or should we drive by and pick up your friend Emma to ride with us?"
"Let's get Emma!" Ava says excitedly. She loves having her friend at games. Dad helps Ava into the car and buckles her seat belt. They drive three blocks to Emma's house. Emma is waiting on her front steps in her orange Tigers shirt too! "Hi Ava!" Emma waves as she runs to the car. Her mom helps her get buckled in next to Ava. The girls giggle and talk about the game on the way to the field. They sing their team song: "Tigers, Tigers, hear us roar! Watch us hit and score some more!" When they get to the field, other Tigers players are already there. The grass is green and the dirt is smooth. The bases are bright white in the morning sun. Coach Pat waves to Ava and Emma. "Team meeting in five minutes!" she calls out.
Ava and Emma grab their gloves and run to a clear spot in the grass. The morning dew makes their shoes a little wet, but they don't mind. "Let's warm up our arms!" Ava says. She throws the ball to Emma, who catches it with a big smile. "Nice throw!" Emma calls back. The girls toss the ball back and forth, getting better with each throw. Dad watches from the sidelines, giving them tips. "Keep your eye on the ball," he reminds them. "Step toward your target when you throw!" The girls practice until Coach Pat blows her whistle. It's time for the team meeting! All the Tigers players run to the dugout, their orange shirts making a bright circle around Coach Pat. "Today we play the Bears," Coach Pat says. "Remember to have fun and do your best!" Coach Pat needs to pick positions for the first inning. She looks at all the players.
Coach Pat looks at her clipboard. "Ava, you'll play first base this inning!" she says with a smile. Ava's heart beats fast with excitement. First base is a big job! She has practiced catching throws from her teammates all season. Dad gives her a thumbs up from the fence. Emma pats Ava's back and says, "You'll do great!" The Tigers take the field first. Ava runs to first base and gets ready. She bends her knees like Dad taught her and holds her glove out. The first Bears player steps up to bat. The blue sky is clear and perfect for T-ball. Ava watches as the batter gets ready to hit.
Ava stands up tall at first base and waves to Dad. He waves back with a big smile. His wave helps her feel brave and ready. The Bears batter hits the ball off the tee! It rolls on the ground toward the pitcher. Tommy, the Tigers pitcher, runs to get it. "Throw to first!" Coach Pat calls out. Tommy grabs the ball and throws it toward Ava at first base. The ball soars through the air. The Bears runner is running fast! Ava keeps her eye on the ball, just like Dad taught her. She stretches out her glove. The ball lands right in her mitt with a soft thump! Her foot stays on the base as she catches it. The umpire throws his arm up and yells "Out!" The Tigers team cheers! Dad claps from the fence. Emma jumps up and down in the outfield. "Great catch, Ava!" Coach Pat calls from the dugout. The next Bears batter steps up to the plate. Ava gets ready again, feeling more confident after her good play.
Ava stands ready at first base, her knees bent and glove open. She watches the new Bears batter adjust their helmet and step up to the tee. CRACK! The batter hits the ball hard! It flies through the air toward right field. Emma runs to catch it, but the ball lands in the grass and keeps rolling. The Bears runner sprints toward first base. Emma scoops up the ball and throws it to Ava. The throw is a little high!
Ava jumps as high as she can, stretching her glove up toward the sky. She feels the ball hit her glove and squeezes tight! Her momentum makes her spin around, but she keeps her foot on the base. "Out!" calls the umpire again. The Tigers team erupts in cheers! Dad whistles from the fence, and Emma runs in from right field to give Ava a high five. "That was amazing!" Emma says, her eyes wide with excitement. "Great play, Ava!" Coach Pat calls out. "That's the kind of teamwork that makes the Tigers special!" After the game, the teams line up to give each other high fives. "Good game!" they say to each other with big smiles. Dad meets Ava by the dugout with her water bottle. "I'm so proud of you," he says, giving her a big hug. "You played your best and helped your team!" Ava beams with pride. "Can we get ice cream to celebrate?" "Of course!" Dad laughs. "Emma and her mom can come too!" The four of them walk to the ice cream shop together, talking about the game and sharing their favorite moments. Ava holds her dad's hand, feeling happy and proud. It was the perfect T-ball day.
