THE SCOUT

Because his grandpa Ben Cartwright had many business contacts his eldest grandson Mitch took his advantage of that. The boy was a natural talent concerning baseball an several scouts had come to watch at his actions on the field. The father of Mitch, Adam Cartwright, was there always too and acted as coach and manager of the young baseball player.

On a certain day Mitch was with his team the Ponderosa Cowboys playing against the Reno Bulls. Scout Tom Keller to watch and saw quite soon the players he wanted to have for regional team for the Little League. Ben saw Tom and recognized him form an earlier meeting. The rancher went to him.

“Hello Tom”, said Ben.

“Hello Ben. You probably wonder what I am doing here?”, asked Tom.

“You certainly haven’t come to buy a few cows from me”, answered Ben.

“No, indeed not. I must look for talents for a Little League team to represent Nevada. I want to have that pitcher and catcher. Do you know who they are?”, asked the scout.

“Well, I know them all their lives. The catcher is Matthew Walker and the pitcher is my grandson Mitch. They both are 11 years old and the best friends”, Ben told not without pride.

“How are they with hitting?”, Tom wanted to know.

“Matthew hits a lot of base runners in and Mitch makes sure that he can touch all the bases in 1 turn. In other words: he is the homerun king of the team which I sponsor”, was the answer.

“So a very good gain for every team. I want to see them and their parents after the game”, said Tom.

The men saw how Mitch was at bat with all bases loaded. There were already 2 zeros and it was the second half of the 7^th inning. The stand was 7-10 for the Bulls.

“At bat is pitcher Mitch Cartwright”, said the commentator.

Randy Jackson was the pitcher of the Bulls and during earlier meetings the hate against the young Cartwright had become bigger each time. Mitch stood on 3 balls and 2 strikes and saw a slider coming. The young Cartwright grabbed his chance and hit the ball of out of the stadium.

“A grand slam homerun for Mitch Cartwright. The score is now nu 11 against 10 in the advantage of the Cowboys”, called the commentator.

“I am curious about where that ball has ended up”, said Tom.

Ben answered, “Well, knowing my grandson he will have broken another window again with that ball. I already had to take down an extra glass insurance by Mitch.”

By the grand slam homerun of Mitch the game was over and the Ponderosa Cowboys had won. The Reno Bulls left as soon as possible. Ben and Tom went to the office of Ben where the rancher called the parents of Mitch and Matthew. They came with the boys who had to wait in the hall.

“I must wait in the hall while I don’t even go to school”, Mitch said indignant.

“Otherwise you would be staying in the hall anyway”, reacted Matthew.

“And you too”, Mitch remarked dry.

Inside Adam, Sally and the parents of Matthew, Dan and Laura, got introduced to Tom.

“I am scout for the regional baseball team of Nevada. My chore is to track down young talents for the Little League team to represent this stat. When I saw Mitch and Matthew playing I knew right away that I wanted to have them. They can be a big gain for the team”, said Tom.

Adam looked at Sally and she nodded approving.

“What us concerned Mitch may join in but he has to want it himself too. We raise our children so that they don’t do anything with reluctance”, answered Adam.

“You have more children?”, Tom asked interested.

“Besides Mitch we have twins of nearly 3”, answered Sally.

“What goes for Mitch is also for Matthew”, said Dan.

“Where do the boys go to school?”, asked Tom.

“They get lessons at our home. Matthew is much smarter than the other children of their age and Mitch needs more individual support”, said Adam.

“I understand”, said Tom.

Laura got the boys inside. They looked questionable at the grownups.

“Boys, this is Tom Keller. He is a scout for the regional Little league team of Nevada. Tom has seen you lay and wants you to have there too. We allow it so now it’s up to you”, said Ben.

The friends looked at each other and they agreed at once with their decision.

Mitch said on behalf of Matthew, “Alright. We do it if our parents and my little brother and sister may come along as well.”

“Mitch, the twins are yet too little but your father will go with you”, said Sally.

The young Cartwright nodded.

The boys went to pitch and catch for a short time while the grownups arranged everything. The Cartwrights knew that especially Mitch had started with a new chapter in his young life. They also knew that the Walkers would help him.

When Tom came by his car he saw that his front shield had been broken and there laid a baseball on the seat of the driver.

“So here the ball has ended up”, he said smiling.

He grabbed the ball and went back to the office of Ben where the Cartwrights still were.

“Tom, what has happened?”, Adam asked amazed.

“Well, your son has smashed the front shield of my car. By middle of the ball. I will sign it and it’s for your son”, Tom explained.

He put his signature and date on the ball and gave it to Adam.

“I know for sure that Mitch will save this ball very well”, Adam said smiling.

Tom knew that too and he forgave the young Cartwright the broken shield.