eee Magic Bat Day e e THE WOODSTOCKe ALL STARS Fun & Educational For Ages 3-7

Transcription

1 Magic Bat Day eee ehometown THE WOODSTOCKe e e ALL STARS Fun & Educational For Ages 3-7

2 Meet MEET THE The ALL All STARS Stars Nick Carlos Carla Flo Juan Kareem Lucy Lacy Larry

3 Magic Bat Day Dedication: To make a dream come true, you need a lot of help, and I have been lucky enough to receive more than my fair share. This help began at home when I was a kid, where I learned the ropes of the family business along with innumerable life lessons. Now, years later, I continue to receive inspiration at home as a husband and father, and from the community that supports our family business. The town of Woodstock, New York has always been incredibly generous to me, and it has proved to be the perfect place to hatch and nurture my ideas for this book and bring them to fruition. It is full of remarkably talented people, the reach of whose kindness has spread as far as California and Canada, and many places in between. I dedicate this first book to them and to everyone who made it possible, especially the kids who were there on my very first day as a new coach the day which sent me on this incredible journey. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Copyright 2015 The Woodstock All Stars Trademark TM 2015 The Hometown All Stars. 1. Children s 2. Sports 3. Baseball 4.Non-Fiction 5. Educational 6. Historical 7. Tball 8. Woodstock ISBN: Library of Congress Control Number: Kids can you say SCBWI three times fast? SCBWI is the coolest club to join. All they do is make kids books better! How cool is that? SCBWI stands for Society of Children s Book Writers and Illustrators. Printed in the United States of America

4 MAGIC BAT DAY Magic Bat Day by Kevin Christofora illustrated By Kevin by Christofora Dale Tangeman Illustrated by Dale Tangeman

5 1 It was Monday morning, and it was my second day of baseball practice. I woke up before my alarm clock. I was so excited to go to school to show off my new uniform. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and got dressed.

6 Mom was so proud of me for getting dressed all by myself. She said, You re acting like such a big boy! This baseball team sure has you excited. 2

7 Coach said we all get to wear our new uniform the next school day to promote team spirit.. 3 When I got to school, I saw some of my teammates in the hallway.

8 All day at school, I could not stop thinking about baseball. Can you find all of the baseballs in this picture? See back inside cover for the answer. 4

9 5 It must have been my lucky day. The cafeteria had my favorite lunch. It reminded me of being at the ballpark.

10 Math was one of my favorite classes. 6

11 7 After school, I did my homework and had a snack. I had a yogurt and berry smoothie with my dog, Yogi. We always shared an afternoon snack.

12 Finally, it was time for baseball. The field looked magical. It was perfectly mowed, and the white lines were on the dirt, just like on TV. Only the team players got to go on the field. 8

13 Coach blew his whistle for practice to begin, and we all ran over to him. Team, we are going to learn about hitting, he said. Today, we are going to learn the correct way to hit the ball. Hitting looked like so much fun. I couldn t wait. 9

14 Coach held up a baseball card and said, This is one of the greatest hitters EVER in the history of the game. His name is George Herman Ruth, but everyone called him Babe Ruth for short. All of you are going to find a magic bat and learn how to hit the ball. Maybe one day you can be just like the Babe! Now, let s go to the pitcher s mound. 10

15 We all spread out around the pitcher s mound, just like the first practice. I still had the white hat, and I got to be the leader. Okay everyone, let s do our jumping jacks. Ready, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten. Next, helicopters! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten. And now our stretches. Up, up, up, and down, one, two, three. Again! Up, up, up, and down, one, two, three. Last time! Up, up, up and down, one, two, three. 11 I handed the white hat to Flo. You can be the next leader, I said. Let s go, boys. Follow me around the bases, she said.

16 After warm-ups, Coach split us into two groups, and I went to the dugout. I got to pick out a bat that felt good. It was my favorite color, too. This one looked like it had magic in it because the name on the side said Bolt and had a picture of lightning on it. 12

17 13 We followed Coach to the practice area with our bats. While we were walking, Coach said. Hitting and batting are similar words. You can be a hitter and you can be a batter. They mean the same thing.

18 Coach spray painted circles for the kids to put their feet in; it keeps their body facing the correct direction. At the practice area, we all got our own hitting station. We got a helmet, a batting tee, a bucket of balls, and two circles on the ground. I put my helmet on top of my head, grabbed my bat, and put my feet in the circles. 14

19 Make two fists with your hands together. Coach Kevin said. Line your knuckles up in a straight row. Then, he pulled out a black marker and drew a black line on my hands so I couldn t forget. That was easy! Line up the 2nd knuckle from the fingertips. 15

20 Coach Kevin gave each one of us a lesson on how to hit. First, you need to put the bat on your shoulder and RELAX. Then, he said, You need to raise the bat up to get READY to hit. 16

21 Now, you are ready to hit, he said. Give it a try. Go ahead...swing! 17 I swung at the ball as hard as I could. I think I closed my eyes. Swing and a miss...strike one! Coach said. Good try, Nick. Let s do it again!

22 Coach put a different ball on the batting tee and adjusted my elbow. This time, when you swing, stare at the black dot, and then slam it! 18

23 19 I used my laser-beam eyes on that black dot. I repeated to myself, Relax-Ready-Swing!

24 BOOM! I felt the explosion in my hands! It was the coolest sound when I hit the ball. I did it! I hit the ball so far. That black dot really helped me see the ball. Good hit, Nick. That s how you do it, Coach said, as he put another ball on the tee. Let s do it again. 20

25 21 The whole team hit, and hit, and hit. We must have hit a million balls!

26 Coaches Tip: Put the batting station in front of a fence so you don t have to chase and pick up one million and one balls.. We hit a million and one! 22

27 Tweet!. Coach blew his whistle and called us over to the pitcher s mound. What number is on my back? Flo asked me. Eight, I replied. That s Yogi s number... 23

28 Great practice today, Coach said. Did everyone have fun? Did anyone find their magic bat? Did anyone hit it really far? What was your favorite part of today? 24

29 Parents help out by picking up the equipment and returning it to the shed, so Coach can focus his time on the kids... 25

30 Okay, here s the drill. Shout out the answers, and, if you re correct, you will win some baseball cards!.. 26

31 Shout It Out! 1. What is the name of the game? Why do we play it? Did everyone have fun today? Who is the boss? After you hit the ball, you run to which base? What s the name of the base that looks like a house? If you swing and miss, it s called a What was Babe Ruth s real first name? Babe Ruth was known for being the best Who wants a frozen fruit pop?... 27

32 See you in school tomorrow. See you! Bye guys! 28

33 e e e e e e e HOMETOWN ALL STARS Hey Kids, look for more Hometown All Stars books at a bookstore near you. Rally Hat eee e e HOMETOWN THE WOODSTOCK ALL STARS Food eee e e e e HOMETOWN THE WOODSTOCK Chewing Gum ALL STARS Next Books Backward Hat Day Face Hair Superstitions eee e e eee e e HOMETOWN THE WOODSTOCK HOMETOWN THE WOODSTOCK ALL STARS ALL STARS Pizza Pie Day Pizza Pie Day

34 Autographs Of Your Favorite Players e e e Tell us what your favorite part of baseball practice was, or draw a picture and mail it to us with a self addressed stamped envelope to: The Hometown All Stars P.O. Box 235, Woodstock, New York, Get A Free Baseball Card!

35 .. Here are some words we have learned so far. Bat Hitting Tee Helmet Relax Ready Babe Ruth Answer to page 4 is 12 balls.

36 People Are Talking! Reveals splendid character studies and moral purpose... and the essence of fun and teamwork. Dave Kaplan Director, Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center I know it will help spread the love of the game. Lisa Rupertus Terrific idea beautifully executed. Charley Rosen Fox Sports Analyst and Author Sports are a great way to build character, stay healthy, and have fun. I cannot wait to share this story with my students! Danielle Paisley First Grade Teacher. Chicago, Illinois Magic Bat Day Magic Bat day is the first real practice after they get their uniforms. Batting is the most fun of all skills and drills! This book concept shows techniques of how to hold the bat and where to stand. Most importantly, it shows that every kid can find their own magic bat. In this interactive storybook, kids will find hidden baseballs in the pictures, answer trivia questions, and there s even a page for autographs from their favorite players. Love it. Akemi Sue Host and Producer of the Social Daily Show and blogger of Mommyguru.com $12.99