Chapter 3 Summary

At the bottom of the seventh inning, Samson Floral is ahead of Crazy Horse Electric, 1-0. Willie strikes out the first batter, walks the second and then faces Sal Whitworth. Willie calls a time-out to confer with Johnny and Coach Ivy. He looks to his dad in the stands and thinks to himself that he cannot let Big Will down.

When Willie has pitched Sal two balls and two strikes, he winds up, and loses his balance slightly. His loss of balance accidentally gives Sal the pitch he wants. Sal hits the ball with a powerful swing that would have been a triple, except that Willie has regained his balance in a phenomenal way. He pivots around, and with his back to the plate, he catches the ball backhanded for the second out.

Willie gives his first baseman time to realize what has...