The Sandlot

Chapter One-Scarlet

I say wait with the other boys in the baseball team, in a store parking lot, for Benny to show up. Ham puts a stick of candy in his mouth, and stands in front of us. He says something muffled that none of us can understand.

"What?" We all say for the third time.

Ham takes the candy out of his mouth. "I'm The Great Bambino!"

"Oh!" We all say together.

Benny shows up, finally, with a small looking boy. Not smaller than Tommy and Timmy, but almost.

"Guys," Benny says. "And girl," he points to me, "this is Smalls."

We all just stare at Smalls. "You let a girl play on your team?" He asks quietly.

"You got a problem with that?" I ask. My blonde hair is done in two braids, a backwards red and white baseball cap resting on the top of my head. My outfit consists of jeans, a black t-shirt, and a blue plaid unbuttoned, button down shirt over top.

"No-no, I, um, just thought they didn't let girls play." Smalls says, even quieter.

"They usually don't. But it's unfair. And besides, I can play pretty well. Hey?" I say, looking at the guys, who nod in agreement.

"Anyway," Benny says, and introduces everyone, who replies by spitting on the ground. He points to me. "That's Scarlet Smith. But we call her Zip." I spit on the tarmac.

"To the sandlot!" Squints yells, and runs in the direction of the sandlot.

I walk behind with Benny. "Rodriguez, can Smalls even catch?" I ask, gesturing to Smalls, who is happily following the crowd.

"Let's hope so." He replies.

Well, it turns out he can't. Benny eventually taught him, so we could finally play a game. It's my turn to bat. Kenny pitches his specialty, the heater. The bat hits the baseball with a crack! and its over the fence. Home run. But, I also just lost our ball.

"Great job, Zip! Now we can't play!" Ham yells.

"I'll get it!" Smalls says, climbing the fence.

"NO!" We all say in unison. They all run over, and pry him from the fence.

"What's so bad over there?" He asks, clearly oblivious.

"Ugh. CAMPOUT!" Squints says.

****

Later that night, we're all in the tree house, and Squints is telling the story of The Beast. "He got Zip once." He says, pointing to me.

Rolling my eyes, I roll up my sleeve, revealing a scar from the top of my hand to my elbow. I was trying to grab a ball, when it got all defensive and attacked me.

Smalls seems amazed, but is convinced it's bullshit. "You're making it up."

"Go stick your head out that window." Benny orders.

Smalls does, and then screams. "He's down there!"

"Told you." Squints says.

******

A week later, we're playing baseball, when the Tigers show up. Our nemesis. Everyone groans. Ham walks over to Phillips, and immediately starts throwing insults. "You play ball like a girl!" Ham says.

I fold my arms over my chest. Really Ham?

"Funny, you throwing that one when she's on your team." Phillips says, gesturing to me.

I walk over to him, and stand right in front of him. "Do we have a problem?" I say, raising one eyebrow.

"Yes, we do." He says. "My problem is that you're too small to be playing with the big boys. You're too weak." He smirks.

I look over at Benny, asking if we should challenge him. Benny nods. "Your team against Rodriguez's. Tomorrow. 9:00."

"I won't play against a girl." Phillips says.

"What?" I smirk. "Afraid you'll lose against a girl?"

"You're on." He smirks. "Good-for-nothing-price-of-shit. Just like her mother." I hear him saying to the other boy beside him.

"What did you say?!" I yell at him. "Say it again. I dare you." I grit my teeth.

"I said, you're a-good-for-nothing-price-of-shit, just like your mother."

I go to punch him, but somebody grabs my elbow, and drags me away. I'm still struggling, so they wrap their arms around my waist instead. "Scram!" Benny.

I push his arms off. "They're so going down."