Greg Bancroft - Betsys Day at the Game

Greg Bancroft

Illustrated by Katherine Blackmore

Text copyright 2013 Greg Bancroft

Illustrations copyright 2013 Katherine Blackmore

Scorecard 2013 Scarletta

Published by Scarletta Kids, an imprint of Scarletta

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are either a product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to reality is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to Scarletta, 10 South Fifth Street #1105, Minneapolis, MN 55402, U.S.A., www.scarlettapress.com.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bancroft, Greg.

Betsys day at the game / by Greg Bancroft ; illustrated by Katherine Blackmore. -- 1st ed.

p. cm.

Summary: Betsy spends a wonderful and exciting day at the ball park with her beloved grandfather, demonstrating to him all she has learned about keeping score. Includes instructions and a scorecard.

ISBN 978-1-938063-02-2 (electronic)

[1. Baseball--Fiction. 2. Baseball--Scorekeeping--Fiction. 3. Grandfathers--Fiction.]

I. Blackmore, Katherine, ill. II. Title.

PZ7.B2188Bet 2013

[E]--dc23

2012030410

Book Design by Kelly Doudna, Mighty Media Inc., Minneapolis, MN

Distributed by Publishers Group West

First edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For everyone whos ever heard the crack of the bat!

Greg Bancroft

In loving and joyful memory of my dad, Tom Mason.

Katherine Blackmore

E lisabeth, Grandpas here, Betsys mom called out. A car pulled in to the driveway. Betsy came running with her Boo Bag.

Grandpa! Betsy shrieked as she jumped into his arms. Her grandfather swung her around and gave her a kiss.

Are you ready for some baseball, Betsy Boo? he asked her, using her nickname.

Shes been ready since breakfast, her mother answered. Shes been making sure she had everything in her Boo Bag.

Betsy smiled. She had remembered her glove, score book, pencil, and hat. They were all in her special bag.

Lets go, Grandpa said. They buckled up and drove to the ballpark.

Along the way, the two of them talked about all the things that had happened at Betsys house the past week. Betsy and her brother, Peter, each skinned a knee, the new kitten, Noodles, climbed high in the tree and was rescued by some linemen working nearby, she stayed at her best friend Kellys house and watched scary movies, Uncle Joe cooked something really good, and she read two new books.

Wow, Grandpa said, chuckling a bit. Thats quite a list. Noodles in the tree would have been a big week all by itself.

No kidding, Betsy agreed. All thatand baseball too!

It doesnt get much better, they said in unison and nodded to each other.

Betsy put on her cap.

Soon, they were at the ballpark. On the outside, it was a tall building with walkways everywhere. Flags fluttered on their poles. There were people and noise all around. They were in the middle of a very busy part of the city. The ballpark added to the commotion. Betsy walked close to Grandpa and held his hand tightly. Her Boo Bag was slung over her shoulder. She wasnt scared, just overwhelmed. There were vendors and souvenirs, loud music, smoky grills, and legs. Legs everywhere. It was difficult to see very far ahead, but it was very exciting. She couldnt wait to get inside the park.

In the middle of the crowded city, the brick walls opened up to reveal a beautiful baseball diamond. Like a pop-up book. It was magic. They had great seats. Betsy could see every part of the field perfectly.

She turned to Grandpa and asked, What do you like the mostsmelling the grass, reading the scoreboard, or watching the people?

He took a deep breath. I like the smell of the grass.

Betsy took a deep breath. Me too.

Actually, Grandpa said as he leaned into her, kissing the top of her head, I like it all and I especially like it when Im with you, Boo!

Betsy was so happy. She wanted this day to last forever. Then she remembered! Her score book! It was nearly game time, and she had not written anything in it yet. She quickly retrieved it from her Boo Bag, along with her pencil, and began to write. In the margin, she wrote about Noodles, the skinned knees, the scary movies, and Uncle Joe. She noted that it had been a very hot and humid week.

Got everything in there? Grandpa asked. He remembered when another little girl used to do the same thing in her score book.

I cant wait to show it to Mom, Betsy said.

Yes, your mom told me that you have been practicing how to keep score, Grandpa said.