They smelled terrible; Max almost retched. A couple guys around him laughed. With a great deal of effort, Max put the stinky gym clothes on and headed out to the field. He braced himself for the abuse he knew was about to come his way. Chapter 6 “Lumpy Larry,” groaned Jeff. Never in his life had Max been chosen last. Not ever. The humiliation choked him. He hung his head and moped over to Jeff’s team. He hadn’t seen this cruel side of Jeff before. They had played baseball on the same team since ninth grade, and never had Jeff been so downright nasty to anyone, at least not that Max had noticed. Jeff put Max last in the batting order, another first for Max, and assigned him to right field. Max didn’t play outfield, let alone right. At least there’s only time for two innings before class ends. Max hustled out to right field and waited for balls that never came his way. “Okay, Lumpy. It’s your ups,”
