You've practiced hard and worked hard, and you feel ready. You didn't think the first game would ever get here. But, finally, it's April 30. J.T. has been practicing at shortstop and catcher, and you two have been hanging out at school.

The first game is at home. You see your parents in the bleachers. They brought your brothers. Mike and Gretchen are at the game, too. You smile. Your whole family is here.

The team you're playing is from a small town an hour away. Two years ago, you blew them out, winning by nine runs. Last year, it was another win but only by a run. If they improved again, today will be interesting.

You run to your position and settle between Ashton at second base and Landon at third. You feel your adrenaline pumping. This is what you wait for, through fall and winter. Your glove is tight on your hand. You smack your fist into it, bend your knees, and lean forward.

Logan's first pitch is a strike, a great way to start. The next pitch is another strike. You don't even twitch. Your coach says that you must always act cool until the end of the game. Celebrate runs, yes--but don't celebrate each and every good moment. Concentrate. Get through each pitch, each out, each inning.

Logan tallies a strikeout. Awesome.

The next batter hits the ball right at you, practically a can of corn that rises high into the air and then lands directly in your glove. Two outs.

The third batter smashes a hit into the gap between Julian in center field and Abdi in right field. Julian throws to Ashton at second, forcing the batter to stay at first base with Puff.

The next hit soars over Gabriel's head in left field. The runner at first speeds his way around the bases--all the way to home plate, scoring a run. The batter stops at second.

Logan strikes out the next hitter for the third and final out of the half-inning. Your team jogs to the dugout. It's Chane Valley's turn to bat. The top of the order gets ready. Ben, the leadoff, is the Cardinals' most consistent hitter. He takes the first pitch for a strike. The second pitch connects square on the sweet spot of Ben's bat.

Home run!

Ben rounds the bases, and, just like that, it's a tie game, 1-1.

You take a quick look at the bleachers. Your family and the Mediavilas are still there. It's not really like you expected them to be gone. You just want to make sure that you're not dreaming.

Up next, Gabriel hits a line drive to third and hustles to first base.

Ashton repeats the hit with a shot toward third base. He, too, is safe. Gabriel advances to second.

Now it's your turn. You're so focused that you're not even nervous.

You watch two strikes and one ball go by before you take your first swing. That fourth pitch looks hittable on its way. Your bat connects, and you feel a twang.

It's a Baltimore chop, hitting the ground and then bouncing over the pitcher's head. You run as fast as you can to the bag. The second baseman doesn't grab the ball cleanly, so everyone is safe.

Now the bases are loaded, and it's Puff's turn to hit. He's one of the strongest batters, the meat of the order. Puff practices his swing and then steps into the batter's box. The pitcher seems to find his stuff because Puff strikes out on three pitches.

Logan is next, and he almost always likes the first pitch he sees. He hits a triple, clearing the bases. You sprint to home plate, giving your team a 4-1 lead.

The next three innings go by in a flurry of strikeouts and ground balls. Neither team gets on the board.

Just as you're about to run onto the field for inning number five, Coach calls you over.

"Gibb, I'm thinking about trying J.T. at shortstop. I want to see how he performs in a game. What do you think? It's your call. I'll leave it up to you."

What will you choose to do?

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Excerpted from Out at Home: A Choose Your Path Basketball Book by Lisa M. Bolt Simons
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.