“What’s this?” he asked. “Your lucky birthday baseball,” I told him. “The guy who caught it has a cat.” “You must mean a cougar,” said Teddy. “For a lucky baseball, that thing sure doesn’t look like it’s had much luck,” said Wayne Zane. “Just sayin’.” “It’s the right ball, though,” said Teddy. “I can feel it.” He tossed it in the air and caught it. “I feel luckier already. This ball has been through a lot, but it’s still here. Just like us Porcupines.” “Let me hold it for a second,” said Tommy. “I could use some good luck.” He took it, gripped it, smiled, and then handed it to Sammy. The Pines passed the ball around. Everybody squeezed a bit more luck out of it until it got to Lance. He held the beat-up ball, muttered something softly in Spanish, and then gave it back to Teddy. “We’re going to win today,” Lance said. “I just know it.” • • • Spike was back! The junior mascot and Pokey did some of their best bits from the season: Spike and the radio; Spike and the water balloons; Spike learning how to drive the golf cart.
