1 Prologue: The Bowler

"Who's going to be the team captains?"

Well of course it was going to be Jacques and Lucien there was no question of that.

"Don't be an idiot, Moreau, it's gonna be Jacques and Lucien! Don't you know anything ya dumbhead?"

The boy who had spoken was silent.

"Well I don't know about that." Said Jacques with a mischievous smile. "What if I don't want to be team captain?"

"But you're always team captain." the boys said.

"Well I don't want to be." Jacques crossed his arms across his body and continued to smile the most devious smile. "But I'll pick you one."

"Fine." the group of boys sighed in unison.

"How about Julien?"

The whole group of boys let out a simultaneous moan.

"Moreau? You've got to be kidding? There's no way on earth he could lead a team."

"They're right Jacques." said the boy who had been silenced in the first place." I'm no good with a ball nor with much anything else. I wouldn't make a very good team captain."

"Nonsense!" said Jacques coming over to Julien and putting a friendly hand on his shoulder. You'll do fine! I have faith in you."

Julien sighed. "Alright. If you say so."

'Well then, Julien, Lucien, call out your team members."

"Eugene." Lucien called and one of the boys stepped from the small crowd and to Lucien's side.

Julien froze. It was his turn.

"Well, pick your team." said one of the boys sharply. "Gosh!"

"Relax Blaise, he's never been a team captain before," said Jacques.

"Which is why he shouldn't be one!" said Blaise.

Julien's mind was racing. Jacques was right, he had never been a team captain before and he hadn't the slightest idea how to choose a team. Should he pick the fastest? Should he pick the biggest? The tallest? The strongest? The poor ten year old boy had no idea how to make such important choices. "Ummmmm," he stuttered and he pointed a stiff arm at Jacques. Jacques headed over to him and patted him on the shoulder.

They continued to call off the boys until there were none left. "Alright teams, let's play ball!" called Lucien and the boys spread out to their bases and across the field. Lucien's Team was first to bat.

"Come on Lucien!" The other boys shouted, screaming wildly as he stepped up to bat. He did a few practice swings and hit the earth with his bat. His mouth spread wide in a grin and he bowed in all directions. Then he stood tall and held his arms up with the bat sticking up straight behind him.

Now as for the bowler, of course that had to be Julien. As he was team captain it was only natural, in fact any deviation from this rule would raise some question as to whether he had the guts to play. And that was as if this question hadn't been raised already. He stepped into his square in between all the creases and lines and wickets. His mind raced as all the lines and rules tried to register in his brain. He couldn't afford to throw wides nor could he afford to throw so straight that there would be no competition. His feet wiggled in the dirt, his toes were wiggling inside his shoes and his knees were knocking.

"Bowl you idiot!" cried boys from both teams. Sweat rolled down his face. As he quivered he looked for Jacques. He was in the field, ready to catch. He nodded at Julien. His heart began to pound as he raised his arm to throw the ball. Closing his eyes he threw with all his might. Every muscle in his arm tensed up as his arm flew out and the ball flew in a straight line right for the batter. Lucien swung with decisive motion and a loud crack sounded through the field as the ball and bat met with great force. The ball then flew rapidly over the field, far over the heads of the boys in the field and over the boundary before it ever touched the earth.

Six runs.

Six runs with the first pitch.

Julien's heart sank. He let his team down with the first pitch.