Muscles wasn’t his real name, of course. His parents named him Josh, but his teammates had other ideas. At first the name was given to him as a joke. He was the smallest player on the team and not as strong as the bigger players, but what he lacked in size, he made up for with his heart.

When he showed up to the first practice, the bigger kids chuckled. The star player, a giant named Hugo teased Josh, “He is too small to play baseball”.

Josh worked as hard he could, swing with all his might and tried every position. He definitely wasn’t the best hitter and he couldn’t throw as far as the big kids, but when he stepped onto the plate, the magic happened.

Muscles’ pitches weren’t the fastest, but they were right down the middle. And the Coach saw his potential right away.

“Wow,” said the Coach, “You’re a natural.”

Muscles never felt so excited.

Wow. You're a natural

At first, Muscles sat on the bench. The bigger boys were the starting pitchers and they threw the ball very fast. Muscles cheered them on as he was secretly waiting his turn.

One game, his team was up 5-2. Hugo, the boy who first teased him about his size, we pitching but was getting tired. Suddenly, he struggled to throw strikes. The other team scored 2 runs and loaded the bases.

Coach Mick called timed out and looked towards Muscles.

HAHHAHAH 

At first, Muscles sat on the bench. The bigger boys were the starting pitchers and they threw the ball very fast. Muscles cheered them on as he was secretly waiting his turn.

One game, his team was up 5-2. Hugo, the boy who first teased him about his size, we pitching but was getting tired. Suddenly, he struggled to throw strikes. The other team scored 2 runs and loaded the bases.

Coach Mick called timed out and looked towards Muscles.

The next pitch was a curveball – just a little outside. Muscles started to get nervous.

But then he heard his teammates shouting, “You got this, Muscles!”

He dug deep and threw a strike right down the middle of the plate. And then another.

“Strike three! Batter’s out!” the umpire yelled.

The crowd erupted.

Strike 3. Your out!