The Vacation

For once Jack’s dad had a few weeks off, and for once the Watsons could go on vacation. But where to?

Jack poked his nose out of a book: Detroit: The car city.

“Michigan?” 

Nobody really knew what to do in Michigan, but nobody could think of anywhere else to go.

A few days later, Jack was peering out of the window of his rental car.

“Michigan is famous for that lake,” said his father. “We’ve got to ride there.”

After a while Jack’s family pulled up into a town to eat lunch. 

“Coopersville,” read Jack, “Home of Baseball.”

As they found a nice little restaurant in the town, next to them was a building and it wouldn’t have stood out were it not for the faded red sign saying ”Home of Baseball” in big blue letters.

“Can I go explore that building?” asked Jack.

“Yes, Jack. “ said Mrs. Watson. “But be careful.” 

Jack saw a rusted sign when he came closer: 50 cents for a tour. 

He fished out two quarters and made his way. 

“So Abner Doubleday,’e fished out ‘is ball, an’ made ‘is way to this mound,” said the tour guide, “and ‘e ‘urled it to the batter. The first game of baseball ‘ad begun.”

His old tour guide brought out an imaginary ball, and he put himself into a pitching movement and threw. Some tourists clapped.

“The game of baseball was on! Abner Doubleday, ‘e had a new game, an’ e’d created a game many Americans would cherish.”

“Oh no he didn’t!” cried Jack.