Original text

Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia

by Peggy Parish Illustrated by Wallace Tripp

"Here she is! Here’s Amelia Bedelia!" called the Grizzlies. “Then let's play ball,"" said the Tornados.

“The Tornados are up first,"" said Tom. “Amelia Bedelia, you stand here. Catch the ball if it comes your way.”

“All right,” she said.

“Batter up!” called the pitcher. The pitcher threw the ball. The batter hit it. He ran to first base.

“Get the ball, Amelia Bedelia.' yelled Tom. "Tag Jack before he gets to second base.”

"I must have a tag in here somewhere,” said Amelia Bedelia. She tagged Jack.

Another boy came up to bat.

Dick hit the ball. The ball landed near Amelia Bedelia.

“Throw it to first base," yelled the boys.

“Put Dick out” So Amelia Bedelia threw the ball to first base.

Then she ran and grabbed Dick. “How far out do you want him?" she called.

“Amelia Bedelia!” shouted the boys. "Put him down."

So Amelia Bedelia put Dick down. “You sure do change your minds fast,” she said.

“You told me to put him out!"

Dick got back on first base. And the game went on. The next batter missed the ball. The catcher threw the ball to the pitcher. The pitcher missed it. But Amelia Bedelia caught it!

"Hurry, Amelia Bedelia! Throw the ball!" shouted the boys. "Dick is trying to steal second base.

"Steal second base!” said Amelia Bedelia. “That’s not nice."

Amelia Bedelia ran and picked up second base. “It’s all right now, fellows." She called. “Second base is safe."

“For gosh sakes, Amelia Bedelia!" said the boys. “Put that back ”

Amelia Bedelia looked puzzled. "But he was going to steal it," she said.

"It's all right to steal bases." said Tom. “That is part of the game”

"Oh!" said Amelia Bedelia.

Finally the Tornados were out. They had made two runs. It was the Grizzlies’ turn at bat.

Tom was first. He struck out.

Then Jimmy had his turn. He hit that ball hard. He made it to third base.

Next it was Bob's turn, he hit the ball.
"Pop fly" called the pitcher. “I’ve got it.”
"Pop fly?” said Amelia Bedelia. “I didn't hear anything."

Then it was Amelia Bedelia's turn.

"Come on, Amelia Bedelia,” said Bob. "Make a base hit so Jimmy can come in."

“Which base should I hit?” she asked.

Tom said, “Just hit that ball and run to first base!"

"All right." said Amelia Bedelia. And that is just what she did,

Jimmy scored for the Grizzlies. The team cheered. The next player struck out. The Tornados were at bat again.

The score was Tornados 2, Grizzlies 1, The Grizzlies called a time-out.

"Amelia Bedelia is not very good in the field, said Jimmy.

"She gets all mixed up,” said Tom,

"Maybe she could be catcher," said Bob.

The boys turned to Amelia Bedelia.

"Stand behind the batter and catch the ball," said

Jimmy. “Then throw it back to the pitcher.”

So Amelia Bedelia stood behind the batter. The

pitcher threw the ball. The batter was about to hit it. But Amelia Bedelia pushed him out of the way.

And Amelia Bedelia caught the ball. "I got it, fellows!" she called. The whole team groaned. The Tornados were very angry,

"Put her someplace else," they shouted. “Put her way out.

So the Grizzlies put Amelia Bedelia way out in the field.

The game was not going well for the Grizzlies. The score was Tornados 8, Grizzlies 5,

The Grizzlies were at bat. It was the last inning. They had two outs. The bases were loaded. And Amelia Bedelia was at bat.

The Grizzlies were worried. "Please, Amelia Bedelia." they said, “Please hit that ball hard.”

Amelia Bedelia swung at the first ball. She missed.

She swung at the second ball. And again she missed.

“Please, Amelia Bedelia, please.” shouted the Grizzlies.

Amelia Bedelia swung at the next ball. And oh, how she hit that ball!

“Run, Amelia Bedelia, run!” yelled the boys. "Run to first base” And Amelia Bedelia ran.

“Tom says stealing is all right," she said, "so I'll just steal all the bases. I will make sure the Grizzlies win.”

Amelia Bedelia scooped up first base, and second base, and third base,

"Home!" shouted the boys. "Run home, Amelia Bedelia!" Amelia Bedelia looked puzzled, but she did not stop

running. And on her way she scooped up home plate too.

The boys were too surprised to say a thing. Then Tom yelled, "We won! We won the game!”

“Amelia Bedelia, come back!” shouted the boys. "We won!” But Amelia Bedelia was running too fast to hear. She did not stop until she reached home.

"That is a silly game,” she said. "Having me run all the way home!”

Suddenly she heard a loud roar. “Hurray! Hurray! Hurray for Amelia Bedelia!" There were the Grizzlies.

"We won! The score was Grizzlies 9, Tornados 8,” said Jimmy. “You saved the game, Amelia Bedelia”

I'm glad I could help you boys out,” said Amelia Bedelia.